Castlewellan GAC Notes

Down Camogie Finals The weather stayed kind to all for most of the day. A great display  by Liatriom in the first game saw them win the Under 14 Final. A pulsating finish to the Senior Game saw Clonduff and Ballycran play out a draw which was a fair result in the end. Thank you to all those who helped out on the day and with the cleaning up afterwards. The Senior Ladies Footballers lost out narrowly to Bryansford in the semi-final of the Down Ladies Senior Championship on Saturday evening past by three points in a hard fought game with our near rivals. We will look back on this game rueing three facts – a poor start where Bryansford had 2-03 on the board in the first 15 minutes before we registered a score. The second was the eight wides from easy scoring positions in the 2^nd half and finally not converting possession and good pressure into scores. In contrast Bryansford had limited scoring chances in the second half but scored 3 out of 4 chances they had. Despite the poor start the girls fought back well just managing to keep in touch with the Ford. [caption id="attachment_26995" align="alignleft" width="440" caption="The Castlewellan Veteran's team."][/caption] An Aoife Keown goaling effort from a narrow angle on the half time whistle reduced the arrears to five points at half time. The second half was all Castlewellan. Surging runs from the back by Karen McMullan and good linking play with Aoife Keown and Lisa Morgan who set up plenty of opportunities which unfortunately were not converted. There was plenty of foraging also by Kelly O’Higgins. A late penalty was a result of the constant pressure applied in the second half and indeed after this four good opportunities were wasted before Bryansford finished off the scoring with a last minute free. When you consider the poor start to the season the girls have had and to come so close to getting to the final they have come a long way where a lot of new younger players have come into the team and have established themselves. Hard working performances from Paidi Hawkins, Aoife Keown, Caoimhe Kelly, Lisa Morgan (despite being double marked at times), Karen McMullan and Kelly O’Higgins. Final Score Castlewellan 2-05 Bryansford 2-08. Our young Senior Footballers won a hard fought game in Loughinisland last Friday Night with a 0-11 to 1-05 win on a blustery wet evening in St McCartan’s Park. Whilst all would agree it was a good win a better performance will be required in the next two big games against Clonduff in the Championship and Downpatrick in the League. We are now at the business end of the season with everything to play for. The replay with Clonduff in the Senior Championship will take place in Park Esler on Wednesday Night at 8.30pm. A good turnout from the Town Supporters is expected to give the boys the good voice and support they deserve. It was a busy week for the U-12 footballers. Last Tuesday evening, the lads travelled to Downpatrick and were beat by 5 points in a thrilling end to end game of football.  Adam Garland was in outstanding form, scoring 1-4 in the first half and at half time, Castlewellan trailed by one point.  Downpatrick got off to a great start to the second half scoring 2 quick goals and a number of points to race into a 10 point lead.  Adam Garland went off injured and the Castlewellan lads showed great character and determination to chip away at the Downpatrick lead. Spurred on by Matthew Muldoon and Callum McKibben, a defence splitting pass from Brian Brannigan to James McAleenan whose shot was brilliantly saved by the keeper, but Cahal Caldwell blasted the rebound to the net.  Castlewellan were now on top and added a further 4 points from Cahal Caldwell, Matthew Muldoon, Brian Brannigan and James McAleenan, but Downpatrick held on for the victory in an exciting game. On Saturday the lads produced some great performances to reach the semi-finals of the Annual Gerry Burns tournament in St. Johns narrowly beaten by eventual winners, Downpatrick.  The game was level at 3 points each when a late goal and a point from Downpatrick saw them advance to the final.  On Sunday despite scores from Matthew Carville (1-1), Adam Garland (1-2), Brian Brannigan (0-1) and Daire McVeigh (1-0), Castlewellan were well beaten by a strong Leitrim side. The Veterans of the club made a come-back on Saturday for one day only at the Longstone Tournament. There was a lot of grunting and groaning and sore limbs and complaints – that was before a ball was kicked in the warm up. Still the lads put up a creditable performance losing narrowly in the semi-final to a strong Meath-based team. The U-14 Hurlers advanced to the shield final after overcoming a strong St Paul’s (Hollywood) side in the Meadow on Wednesday night. The Town were playing against a strong wind in the first half and conceded two early goals but Donagh Cairns kept them in touch with 3 points. Hard work in the full forward line paid off with a goal from Ruairi Feenan and a point by Zach Carville. Then Captain Sean P. Carville charged forward from the back to drive to the net from 20 yards to leave the lads trailing by two points at the break. Good defending from Ruairi Toner and Liam Anderson prevented further scores. St Pauls started the second half strongly and got a goal and a point to go further in front. The Town had a few missed chances up front to keep in touch, but some great defending from the backs kept them in the game. Midfielder Lee Ward led by example knocking over a point from distance before charging through the Hollywood defence for a goal. With 10 minutes to play the Town were reduced to 14 men. They conceded a goal soon after and  trailed by 4 points. The lads dug deep and Matt Muldoon scored a point to lift the spirits. Then substitute James McAleenan showed great skill volleying the sliotar to the net to level the game with a few minutes to play. St Paul’s came back but the defence held strong and earned a free in the half-back line. Sean P. drove the free over the bar to put the Town in the lead for the first time. The Hollywood side threw everything into getting the equaliser. With time almost up a long ball was sent to the square, full back Joe Cunningham fielded the ball and burst out to clear the danger . Final score Castlewellan 4-08 St Paul’s Hollywood 4-07 The lads showed great character to come back and win the match against the bigger St Pauls team in a great team performance where every player played their part. The team has worked hard to improve greatly over the season. Hopefully with a bit more hard work they can lift The Shield. Team: Christian Keown, Rhys Carville, Joe Cunningham, Darren Toner, Ruairi Toner, Sean P. Carville (1-1), Liam Anderson, Shawn Conlon, Lee Ward (1-1), Matthew Muldoon (0-1), Donagh Cairns (0-4), Jack Matthews, Ruairi Feenan (1-0), Zach Carville (0-1), Jordan Miskelly. Subs: Jordan Valentine, James Mc Aleenan (1-0) New Castlewellan Jerseys now in stock from age 1-2 to adult. Prices range from kids – £20, 13-14 yrs – £25 and adult – £30.  Stocks expected to go fast, contact bar staff for purchase at night after 8.00pm. New Tracksuits, Hoodies, Shorts and Socks also ordered and due in.  Contact any Committee for details. Can members of the Club Membership Schemes please contact the Treasurer to collect their rain jacket.  There may be a limited number of these on general resale once these have all been distributed. On the club social scene an Interclub F Factor will  take place on 27th August. Tickets will go on sale in the next week and are expected to go fast. Also an Interclub Boxing Night will take place the week after, with fighters from all round the County. For details on any of these events contact Kevin Sweeney, Brian Dougherty, Ronan King or Cillian Keaveney. The Senior Hurling Team continued their good run of form with a comfortable win away to Carryduff.  Playing with the breeze the town built up a 13 point lead at half time. The defence had a comfortable evening with Finnbarr Lennon, Paul McCabe and Colm Gallagher in good form. Jason Croskery, Raymond Cunningham and Cathal óg all hurled well. Michael McPhilips took his opportunity to slot a goal. The second half continued in similar fashion although scores were harder to come by against the breeze. The home team were under strength and the lads are under no illusions that a sterner test awaits in the JHC final on Sunday against the same opposition. Final score Carryduff 1-4 Castlewellan 1-19 . The Senior Hurlers will play Carryduff in the Junior Hurling Championship Final on Sunday in Downpatrick at 4.00pm. It is not too often any of our Club teams make it to a County Final. A big support on the day will be a major boost for Martin and the boys. Best of luck to the whole squad There was a Club Clean-Up day on Friday past. Thank you to all who were able to give a helping hand. Thanks especially to Noreen Keown who organised everyone’s tasks. 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]]>