SAUL Scór na nÓg Competitors have once again represented their club fantastically at the County Down Scór na n’Óg Final in The Abbey Grammar School in Newry at the weekend. Aisling Murphy, Riognach Madden, Claire Curran, Taylor Murnin and Clodagh McEvoy took home the County Down Ballad Group title. This is the eighth time in nine years that Saul have won this title.
They go on to represent their club and county in the Ulster Semi-Final in Saval GAC at 7pm on the 2nd of December. As County Champions, The Ballad Group are invited to audition to take part in a new TG4 talent show, so watch this space! A special mention must go to Aisling Murphy and Conor McVeigh who both competed impressively in Solo Singing and Recitation respectively. While both were one of the judge’s choice, they narrowly missed going through to the next stage. Well done to everyone, your club and parents are very proud of you all. Keep up the good work.
Annual General Meeting: The delayed meeting for this year will be this Thursday 29 November in the clubhouse starting at 7.30pm. With such an important year ahead in 2013, it is essential that we have as amny members as possible in attendance.
The County draw tickets for 2013 are now on sale and we are looking forward to improving on last year’s sales, to raise much needed club funds for improvements to the facilities we have at St Patrick’s Park. You can speak to any member of the committee for further information.
Our annual Road Race– The Griddle 10k race and 5k Fun Run was enjoyed by more than one hundred keen runners on Sunday past. The heavy rain of Saturday night was forgotten as the sun shone over the course on Sunday morning. First off were the 5k runners/walkers. A large contingent of juveniles set off towards Ballintogher and first to return was club player Tom Burns. A number of local athletic clubs were ready for the main race after East Down AC’s Joe Quinn put them under starters orders they headed off at great speed towards Loughmoney. The warm sun made the running conditions tough, but it seemed to have no impact on the first man back, Liam Venney, from East Down AC in a great time of 33:19. First Saul runner in was the impressive J.P. Burke, in thirteenth position, leaving his team mates and neighbours in his wake.
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Well done to all the runners who came out and supported the race, and also to those who helped in any way with the preparations. This event has now become a fixture in the club calendar and in our locality – plenty of time to start training for next year.
The club welcomes Mr P.J. Magee to the role of senior men’s manager for the incoming season. P.J. brings with him a wealth of experience gained over many years with St Malachy’s H.S., Castlewellan and also during his involvement with the county set up and various clubs in Down. Everyone in the club wishes him well and we are all looking forward to the new season.
There will be a quiz in the clubhouse on Saturday 8th December, starting at 8pm. This will be a good evenings craic and quizmaster O’Hagan has already begun researching his festive questions Ho, Ho, Ho. There will be free entry for anyone who attends wearing a Christmas hat!
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Annual Dinner and Presentation Evening at Burrendale Hotel
A large crowd enjoyed the annual soiree in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle last weekend.
2012 was a busy year as ever both on and off the field, but especially so, due to the passing of Peter Craig, our esteemed Chairman,on the first day of January. His long time friend and Club President E.K. McGrady paid tribute to him in his speech, and emphasising the need for all members to step up and be counted again in 2013.
With the club pressing ahead with their ambitious development plans, it would be important that as many people as possible should be involved. This was echoed by acting Chairman, Dr Eddie Harney, who thanked all those who had contributed to the many successes the club enjoyed during the past year. He also wanted to remind those present, that while these were exciting times for our club, it should be remembered that we are a GAA club and the most important developments should be on the field of play or in the cultural competitions we have participated in so well over the past number of years.
Pride of place in the club for 2012 went to our U-14 boys who annexed the A League and championship double, before going down gallantly against Burren in the county final. This group of boys, their mentors and families, worked so hard to get their just rewards this year, hopefully they will continue to progress in the years ahead.
The U-16 girls also enjoyed their second consecutive league win after a very disjointed season. Again, these girls, their mentors and families deserve great credit for their dedication throughout the year. Eddie paid tribute to all of our teams and coaches, who ensured that they were competitive in every competition during 2012. He noted, however, that 2012 was now in the past and we needed to look forward to the new year with the same determination and dedication so that this time next year, there would be even more to celebrate.
