Brigid Owens (Belfast), grandmother of our esteemed youth members Claire, Christine and Emma Owens. The Executive Committee and all our Club Members wish to convey our sincere sympathy to the Owens Family at this time. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
Despite wearing the underdog tag for last Sunday’s Morgan Fuels Senior Football Championship match against Clonduff the Senior Team were very unlucky not to come away with what would have been a well deserved victory. A gutsy display from the lads saw them draw with Clonduff who equalised with the last kick of the game. Matthew Stratton came on at half-time to make his debut in the Senior Championship writes Martin MacClean.
He was only on the field when he connected a rebound footblock from the Clonduff keeper to smash the ball to the back of the net. After that it was nip and tuck with both teams dominating in patches. A great save from Michael Cunningham from an Arthur McConville effort kept the Castlewellan goals intact. The lads will be disappointed they did not close this one out. An injury to Luke Toner at half time meant a re-jigging with Kevin Duffin going to midfield. All the lads who came in gave a goods account of themselves. This will give Liam, Marty and Paddy a welcome headache for the replay. Final Score Castlewellan 1-09 Clonduff 0-12.
[caption id="attachment_26798" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="The U-12 Castlewellan girls. "]
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The Senior Hurlers advanced to the next round of the Championship with a 5 point win against Ballyvarley in Kilcoo on Monday Night of last week. The lads have prepared well for the Championship and came through a tight tense game. Afterwards a relieved manager Martin Keown was just glad to be in the next round. He knows also that the lads will step up again for their next outing.
The Senior Ladies won a tight game against Downpatrick in a double header in St Malachy’s Park on Saturday evening past. It was a mixture of young guns like Aoife Keown, Caoimhe Kelly, Saoirse Steele and Paidi Hawkins linking up well with the older heads of Claire Drummy, Eleanor Nixon, Aine Keown and Noeleen O’Higgins. There was also the welcome return of Lisa Morgan who has been out injured. This was a tough physical but fair encounter. Well done to Jim and the girls who can now look forward to the next round of the championship. Final score Castlewellan 0-7 Downpatrick 0-6.
The second piece of silverware of the has been annexed by the Under-14 Girls footballers who won the County A Section after a victory last week against a strong Carryduff team at the Belfast venue. It was a tough game which the girls thoroughly deserved to win in what was a highly disciplined display. Well done to Noreen and all her team on this fine achievement.
Injury is part and parcel for all teams in any club. It is unlucky when it turns up in the one family. Liam McKibben suffered a wrist injury at training last Friday night prior to the Clonduff game. Niall McKibben (cousin) has suffered a knee injury which will rule him out for the minors for the next 6-7 weeks. Niall had a great game last week against Downpatrick. We wish Liam and Niall the speediest of recoveries.
[caption id="attachment_26799" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Getting the message across: the Castlewellan juniors in Dublin."]
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The Minor footballers enjoyed a great win in the Championship last week against Downpatrick. The first half that was tight where Castlewellan missed three of their four goal goal chances whilst when Downpatrick were presented with their only one they took full advantage. At that stage The Town were leading by only a point but in full control. Downpatrick’s goal changed that and perhaps the half-time whistle came at the right time for The Town.
The second half belonged to The Town hitting 7 points in the first nine minutes of the second half. Downpatrick did not come back from this and pushed on for a good win. All in all a good team performance but they will know they will neeed to play much better for the last group match against Kilcoo. Final score Castlewellan 2-16 Downpatrick 1-06.
In the most inclement weather on Thursday night last the Under-16 lads exited from championship away to Bredagh. Despite putting up a gritty performance the home side were just too strong on the night. A goal in the first five minutes for the Town was a great start but sadly they were not able to add to the tally. Final score Bredagh 2-5 Castlewellan 1-0.
The Under-12 Girls had another successful week when they defeated both Aughlisnafin and Clonduff. Following on from their midweek win over the Finn, the girls accounted for a determined Clonduff side on Sunday morning. After a close first half the girls settled into a good rhythm and picked off some excellent scores, the defence of Shannon, Emma, Tara, Michaela, Jade, Mya & Asilinn managed to hold Clonduff scoreless in the second period with timely interceptions and some excellent fielding. The midfield partnership of Caiomhe and Bria worked hard the entire game. The attack lead by Laiose , Amy, Cara,Sorcha,Molly and Eirinn battled for everything and were ably assisted by Victoria,Shauna and Jessica. Thank you to Saoirse Steele who refereed the game and Sarah McArdle who assisted with the team. Next training session is this evening at 5.30pm in St Malachy’s Park.
[caption id="attachment_26801" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="The juniors in Dublin with Micheal O-Muireartaigh."]
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On Sunday last 40 juvenile members accompanied by fifteen adult members made the trip to Dublin for the All-Ireland semi-final clash between Kilkenny and Waterford. Everyone enjoyed the day which was planned and organised by Mr Organisation himself, MK. Well done Martin. The sun shone and na Déise battled hard but The Cats were just too strong. It was interesting to see so many juvenile members decked out in the black and amber. Even Gary’s Tipp boys were in Kilkenny colours. After the game we met and had a photograph outside Croke Park with Frank Hogan and his famous John 3:7 sign. Around the corner we bumped into the great Mícheál Ó Muireartaigh, an occasion which called for another group photo. All in all this was a most enjoyable trip and the exemplary behaviour of our young members was a credit to themselves, their families and the club.
Despite holidays and other attractions last weekend 20 young hurlers travelled to St. Paul’s GAC in Holywood for their latest blitz. The boys gave a very good account of themselves with some great scores, hooks, blocks and strikes. Well done lads and keep practising the skills.
The Under-12 Hurlers travelled to Ballyvarley last Thursday and came away with both points after a convincing victory over their hosts. They were on top all over the field and also displayed a high degree of skill. On this occasion Ballyvarley had no answer against a fine Castlewellan display. Scorers were Sean Keown (2-3), Matthew Muldoon (2-2), Darragh Toner (0-2), Matthew Carville and Dara McVeigh (0-1 each). The lads continued this fine display with a follow up win against a strong Kilclief team.
Playing with the wind Castlewellan were in front at half-time 2-2 to 0-1 with 1-1 each being scored by Sean Keown and James McAleenan. An early second half goal for Kilclief was a perfect start for them but the lads dug in deep with Matthew Carville, Matthew Muldoon and Cillian McKay putting the shoulder to the wheel. Castlewellan scored three unanswered points from Cillian, Sean and James to secure victory. Over the two games the lads have displayed a good standard of Hurling with the above lplayers all showing up very well. The Under 10 players Callum McCabe, Miceal McVeigh, Eoghain King, and Eoghan Maginn also caught the eye.
Next Sunday will see the County Camogie Finals held in St Malachys Park where in the Under-14 decider Liatriom will play Clonduff and in the Senior decider Clonduff will play Ballycran. We require a large volunteer base to make this day a success. We ask that as many members as possible make themselves available to help out on the day.
There will be a Club Clean-Up day on Friday 12th August. Can all available club members let any of the committee know if they are able to assist on the day. Many hands will make light work. All help is very much appreciated.
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-8, Under-10 and Under-12 Camogie training in the Meadow on Tuesday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
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.
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 07/08/11 were 1, 15, 17, & 28. There was no jackpot winner and one £20 winner – Enya Murphy. Jackpot next week £6800.]]>
News In Brief
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