Castlewellan GAC Notes

sponsored walk to raise funds for the Club, writes Martin MaClean. The walk took place around the lake in the Forest Park with the older members taking a longer route. Quite a few younger members took part in the event which was great success. First boys home were Senan Cunningham and Conor McVeigh. The first girl home was Michaela Rodgers. Special word to Mickey Gilmore who had to give Gerard Keown a piggy back lift from the park to the Club. Need to work on the fitness Gerard! A big thank you to all the parents who come along on the day to help and support their children in this event. Their presence was very much appreciated. Also thank you to all the helpers and those who provided food and refreshments in the club afterwards. The Minors recorded a very welcome if indeed a rare win against An Riocht in the League on Tuesday last. A game which was played on a glorious summer’s evening in front of a good crowd where both teams’ played a hard but fair game of football which was also well refereed by Paul Gelston. Both teams’ were short regulars but it gave a chance for both management teams to use all the players on their squad. Castlewellan raced into a 2 point lead with scores from Conal Crilly and Cahal Keown but were pegged back with two excellent score from An Riocht. [caption id="attachment_26488" align="alignright" width="450" caption="The participants, coaches and organisers of the Castlewellan GAC Cul Camp."][/caption] From the 10^th minute Castlewellan took over Joe O’Neill tapped over a point quickly followed by Matthew Stratton. A great three man move involving Calum Croskery, Cahal Keown and Martin Brannigan resulted in a great finish from Niall McKibben. The next three scores all involved passes from Conal Crilly where he took a high ball and lofted over a good point. He was then involved in setting up two goals for Cahal Keown. The second half started very much where the Town had left off with two scores from Niall McKibben and a point from the early second half sub Paddy Gallagher. An Riocht hit a good goal which looked like starting a revival from the opposition. Instead Castlewellan hit 5 points in the next 5 minutes the highlight being a left footed effort from Cahal Keown. A well taken Paddy Gallagher goal between two An Riocht points near the end put the icing on the cake for a well deserved and much needed win. A great display from the whole squad on the night. Good performances up front from Rory Burns, Brian McVeigh, Cahal Keown, Conal Crilly and Niall McKibben. At the back Sean Fitzsimmons, Martin Brannigan Conan Brogan, Aidan Doherty and Stephen Connolly at full back played well. Special mention to Gerard Keown who stepped in to the goalkeeping role in big Mickey’s absence. Word is he is after Mick’s other number one jersey! Competition eh! The Under-12 girls gained another morale boosting victory over neighbours Kilcoo last Wednesday evening. The 1 point victory was achieved as a result of hard work and determination in a battling second half display. This game was a great spectacle played at breakneck speed by two very determined and very skilful teams. In a great team performance there were many who stood up to the test from goalkeeper Nadine McAleenan to corner forward Cara McKee everyone give off their best. Half backs Aislinn Hawkins and Jade Casement, midfielders Jade Hammon and Bria McKee fought for every ball and delivered to forwards Erin McVeigh, Saiorse McCartan, Caiomhe Moorhead and Amy Barr at every opportunity. Many thanks to Kilcoo and keep-up the good work girls. Team: Nadine McAleenan Tara McVeigh Shannon Valentine Michaela Rodgers Mya McKee Aisling Hawkins Jade Casement Bria McKee Jade Hammond Sorcha McCartan Laoise Keaveney Molly McAlinden Cara McKee Amy Barr Erin McVeigh Caoimhe Moorhead. Next training session on Wednesday 3rd at 5.30pm. Next game Thursday 4^th away to Aughlisnafin meet at the club 6.00pm. There will also be a game against Clonduff on Sunday 7^th at 11.30am in the Meadow. The Senior Footballers suffered their first defeat of the season at home to our neighbours The Liatriom Fontenoys. They got revenge on an earlier defeat by the Town in Liatriom in late April. In a game which was hard and physical with no quarter given or taken the visitors edged out the Town in some key individual battles. A goal conceded just before half time was an effective barrier between the two teams. This lifted Liatriom and it had the Town chasing the game. This is the last game before the clash this weekend with Clonduff in the Championship. It will have given the Senior management Team food for thought as we head into battle with Clonduff as undoubted underdogs. The Castlewellan Cul Camp once again proved a major success when St Malachy’s Park was in the best possible way overrun with youngsters keen on learning the skills of Gaelic Games. On hand was The County Captain from last year Ambrose Rodgers from Longstone and our own Liam Hardy giving all the kids the benefit of their coaching skills. Castlewellan GAC and all its members would like to thank all the children for taking part and to the coaches and our own club officials who were at hand to assist in the organisation of the week. The sight of all our young members around The Meadow on Friday Night at the senior match with Liatriom in their Cul Camp Strips made you think that the future is green! Thank to all once again. On Saturday past St Malachys Park was the venue for the All-Ireland Junior Camogie Championship match between Down and Dublin. This was a well organised event in conjuction with the Down Camogie Board. Quite a few of our club members were on hand to tend to the needs of players, officials and spectators alike. The Executive Committee would like to thank all who helped out on the day. The Down Senior Camogie Final will take place in St Malachys Park on Sunday 14 August. This will be a big day in the Town. We would appreciate the same level of help (and more) from as many Club members as possible. The Senior Hurlers recorded a notable victory on Monday of last week against Ballygalget in the League. The lads were much sharper all over the field and fully deserved their victory. On Saturday past the 2nds hurling team played their first game against Newry Shamrocks in Park Esler. This was a great opportunity for the lads to get a run on the fine Newry surface. A young lad whose name sake manages the Castlewellan Senior Hurling Team hit a total of 3-1 for the Newry team. Stevie’s back was sore but I am sure he will have recovered. The result was not important – lads getting competitive hurling was the winner for The Shamrocks and The Town. The final total raised in the “Style in the Town Night” have been confirmed as £1418. A Cheque has been sent to both Marie Curie Cancer and The Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children. Each charity received a total of £709. We would again like to thank all those who supported this event and specially Laura Cunningham for all her hard work. 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. Castlewellan U-12’s gave a great account of themselves at the Under-12 Gary Murray Tournament last Saturday, reaching the semi-finals before going down to a strong Clann Eireann side from Lurgan.  20 teams took part and Castlewellan were the only East Down side to reach the semi finals, winning all 4 group matches, with great victories over Mayobridge, Aughlisnafin, Warrenpoint and Carrickcruppen. Under-6 and Under-8 football continues on Tuesday at 6.15 in Meadow and at 6.15 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. The Under-14 and Under-16 Camogie training continues on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The Under-12 Camogie training is on Tuesdays at 6.30pm. The Under-14 and Under 16 girls football training is on Wednesdays and Friday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm The tote numbers for the 31/07/11 were 4, 6, 23, & 27. There was no jackpot winner and four £20 winners – Fiona McCabe, Peter Keown, Mary Morgan and Natasha Ward. The  Jackpot next week is £6750.]]>