Castlewellan GAC Notes

referee an All-Ireland Final prior to Sunday past was Pat Rooney away back in 1961 when he refereed the All-Ireland Minor Football Final and the All-Ireland Junior Home Final in that year. 50 years on and the referee in the All-Ireland Ladies Intermediate Final between Westmeath and Cavan raised his hand and the ball at the start of the match. It was his way of saying to all of us back in An Baile – thank you for your best wishes and support in the run up to this game. As usual Gavin Corrigan had a good match and was rarely seen in the game which is something all good match officials should aspire to. His next big outing will be in the Town next Saturday writes Martin McClean. Congratulations to Managers Dick Looby and Ollie Doyle and the Under-16 Hurlers who won the Down League Shield on Sunday evening at Kilcoo when they beat a talented Warrenpoint team in a very hard fought game. It would be unfair to single out any of the lads as this was a real hard working team effort where every man played out of their skins in atrocious conditions. Well done again lads for doing your Club real proud. [caption id="attachment_29980" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="The Castlewellan Under-16 Hurlers League Shield Winners."][/caption] We are currently making final preparations for its annual Under-12 boys and girls football tournaments. This year’s competitions will take place on this Saturday 1^st October. This year marks the 16th annual juvenile tournament, which consists of two 9 a-side competitions at Under 12 level run concurrently at St Malachy’s Park. The Boys’ competition consists of 16 teams who compete for the “Edward Toner Memorial Cup” and individual trophies, while the 8 teams in the Girls’ competition will be competing for the “May Steele Memorial Cup” and individual trophies. The Boy’s competition will consist of local teams so far confirmed such as the Liatriom Fontenoys, Bryansford, Loughinisland and Aughlisnafin. Teams will be divided into sections of four and will play each other on a round-robin basis with the winners and runners-up in each section progressing to the quarterfinals of the main competition and third and fourth placed teams going into a Shield competition. The Girls’ competition also promises to be a close affair with last year’s winners Newry Bosco will defend their title facing stiff opposition from Castlewellan, Bryansford, Loughinisland and Annaclone. As with the boys’ competition teams will be divided into sections of four and will play each other on a round-robin basis with the winners and runners-up progressing to the semi-finals and third and fourth entering the Shield competition. All games are scheduled to be played in St. Malachy’s Park with the first games beginning at 10.30am and the finals scheduled for 3.10pm. There will be a “Player of the Tournament” for both competitions sponsored by Bargain Land in Downpatrick. Castlewellan GAC have launched their Annual Draw to raise much needed Club funds. The draws will take place on 01 October, 05 November and 03 December. We ask all club members to support us in this venture. The tickets are priced at £60. There are still some tickets available for the Draw. We ask all club members to support us in this venture. Once again we thank all of you for your continuing support. [caption id="attachment_29982" align="alignright" width="267" caption="Mickey Keenan presenting the league Shield to Paul King."][/caption] The Senior Hurlers finished off their league campaign last week when they beat Bredagh in a robust encounter at the Dublin Road by a score line of 3-15 to 1-12. This means that Castlewellan are the highest finishing non-Ards Team in the league this year which gives options for manager Martin Keown and his backroom team as to how he will approach the league next year. Well done to Martin and all the boys. Castlewellan were defeated by a strong Carryduff side in the Meadow last Sunday in the opening round of the Under 12½ League.  The lads battled hard throughout against a Carryduff side which included many players which are eligible to play at the U14 level. Jordan Valentine pulled off some marvellous saves in goals and in defence, Ryan O’Rourke, Adam McAleese and James McAleenan defended courageously. Adam Garland, Matthew Carville, Daire McVeigh and Ruairi McGuinness all scored in wet conditions.  Team: Jordan Valentine, Niall Garland, Ryan O’Rourke, Ruairi Howell, Adam McAleese, James McAleenan, Sean Keown, Adam Garland, Matthew Carville, Callum McKibbin, Philip Maguire, Cahal Caldwell, Conor Keenan, Daire McVeigh, Ruairi McGuinness, Callum McCabe, Eoin Maginn, Dara Fitzpatrick, Cleveland Boyle. The Castlewellan GAC Running Club continue with their runs on Tuesday and Thursday nights meeting at the club at 6.45pm to commence running at 7.00pm. Under-6 and Under-8 football continues on Tuesday at 6.15pm in Meadow and at 6.15pm on Thursday for the Hurling for the same age groups Under age coaching continues in The Meadow for Hurling and Football every Saturday Morning at the usual times of 10.00am for Hurling and 11.00am for Football. Under-16 girls football training is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. This week’s lotto numbers were 1, 14, 22 & 26. There was no jackpot winner and no £20 winners. Jackpot next week £7150.]]>