Castlewellan GAC Notes

Sean Patrick Carville from our Under-14 Hurlers who qualified for the All-Ireland Feile Hurling Skills Competition on Saturday against some of the best hurling talent in the County. The Feile was of course hosted by Caislean An Mhuilinn. This is an absolutely fantastic Achievement by Sean who will go on to represent our Club on the All-Ireland stage. Well done to Sean and his mentors. The Feile was hosted by the Club on Friday and Saturday last. It was great to see the array of colour around the Town and The Club. Each Club represented brought their own flavour and fun to the day. Thank you to all those Club members who worked on the day to make it a memorable occasion for all who attended. Sean Keenan Secretary of the Feile Competition thanked The Club for hosting the competition in such a professional way and those individuals who made it all possible. Our Under 14 Hurlers and Camogie players did their parents, mentors and club proud by the way they competed against stronger teams in their respective competitions. They will have learned a lot from their experience. They were commented on by visiting stronger clubs for their high skills levels. Well done to them and their coaches. [caption id="attachment_22826" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="The Castlewellan Seconds looking forward to a new season."][/caption] The Senior Team began their league campaign in fine style on Friday night with an emphatic victory over Newry Shamrocks at Pairc Esler. The score line of 4-15 to 1-1 underlined how well the lads played. A fine all round performance by the lads. This is only the first match of the season so we will not be reading too much into it. We will not run up scores like that every week but nevertheless a great start. Next match on Saturday against Annaclone in St Malachy’s Park at 2.00pm. The Senior ladies registered their first win of the season away to Saval on Sunday evening by a score line of 1-13 to 0-07. There were great performances from Caiomhe Kelly and Ciara McCrickard. Aine Keown claimed a goal which is being hotly disputed by some of her team mates. It was in fact scored by her Sister Katie. Mickey please sort this one out – I am not getting involved! The Seconds suffered a defeat to the hands of Burren by 1-16 to 0-09 at St Malachy’s Park on Sunday past. They were outplayed by a very strong and well drilled Burren Team. We competed very well in the second half but all the damage was inflicted in a first half dominated by the visitors. Best for the Town were Sean Russell, Colm Og Crilly & David Gilmore. The Thirds played our neighbours Kilcoo in a less than lively affair on Sunday evening. The visitors won the game by a score line of 0-14 to 0-08. Some very good fielding and eye catching scores by Cahal Keown. Castlewellan U-12’s registered a second victory in the League with a 5-5 to 0-6 win at home to a strong Kilcoo side on Sunday afternoon.  Cahal Caldwell made some great saves in goals and in defence, Daniel Cunningham, Sean Keown and Callum McKibben were in outstanding form. Matthew Carville (0-3) and Adam Garland controlled midfield.  Up front Ruairi McGuiness scored four goals and was ably assisted by James McAleenan (1-0) and Daire McVeigh (0-2). Keep up the good work and keep listening to your coaches. [caption id="attachment_22827" align="alignright" width="400" caption="The Castlewellan U-12 squad."][/caption] The Under-14 team commenced their league campaign last week at home to a very strong Carryduff team. This league is a step up for our young players most of which will be playing at the same age group next year. In the end they were well beaten but they have given their management team a wee bit of food for thought. Keep it up lads it will get better. The Under-16 girls hand a very good win against Carryduff on Sunday with a score of 13-10 to 0-07. Great performances from Paidi Hawkins, Ciara Gibson and Anna Rogan. Good luck to Aoife, Paidi, Claire, Ciara and Finola this weekend who are all on the Down U-16 Camogie Panel who face Westmeath in the All-Ireland Semil-Final at Inniskeen. Commiserations to the Down Minors who lost by 4 points to a well drilled Derry Team in the Ulster Minor League Semi-Final in Celtic park on Saturday last. Castlewellan were represented on the team by Michael Cunningham, Rory Burns and Matthew Stratton. The last and final reminder to all members of the clothes collection in aid of club funds which will take place on 26th April. All clean clothes, belts, shoes, coats or anything which can be worn please contact Noreen Keown and she will arrange for collection.  The Doc will clean out his wardrobe for this. The Tote numbers for the 17th April  were 18, 21, 24, & 27 There was one £20 winner – Damien McGrady. Jackpot next week £6000.]]>