Last week saw the passing of PJ McEvoy. PJ and his wife Anita both taught in St Malachy’s High School Castlewellan for many years. Many of our club members and indeed readers of this column will have been taught by PJ and like all of us we have many fond memories of him in the old school buildings and indeed seeing him around the town. We also remember Anne Marie at this time who passed away such a short time ago. We are all thinking of the McEvoy family at this time. The Executive Committee and Members wish to extend our sincerest sympathy to PJ’s wife Anita, son Niall, who played for Castlewellan for many years, daughters Mairead & Niamh, grandchildren and his brothers Gerry & Sean and the wide family circle on the loss of PJ. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
*It was a great day out for our under-12 boys and girls who represented Castlewellan in the play Day in Croke Park on 16 August 2016. Cormac Barr, Nathan Garland, Cormac McKibben, Caoimhe Sharkey and Maya Alsabone all had a fantastic day out.
The photographs on social media certainly displayed the joy and fun they all had in stepping onto the hallowed turf of Croke Park. Most of us of a certain age only ever got to invade the pitch in Down’s glory days. That was the nearest we got to playing on this great place. Well done to all and we hope you enjoyed your experience and yes we are all jealous.
Thanks to Conor O’Toole and the Down County Board for organising the ‘Play Day’ for our Under-12 boys and girls in Croke Park. The Children had a fantastic day and one they will remember for the rest of their lives. Thanks also to the parents who accompanied their children on the day.
*This Sunday sees the inaugural Ellen Finnegan Memorial Tournament. You will all remember Ellen tragically lost her life in January this year. An Under-12 Camogie tournament will be run in her memory. Winners of the Cup competition will receive a limited edition jersey each. Runners up in this competition will each receive a new hurl. The winners of the Shield competition will receive a set of balls for their team and a grip each. Runners up in the Shield competition will receive a smart touch ball each. This is a seven a-side tournament with three subs allowed and all children will receive a lunch. The entries for this wonderful competition is now closed. Half of each entry fee is being donated to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.
*Nursery, P1 & P2 coaching continues in St Malachy’s Park on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11am. All new members welcome. P3 to P6 girls coaching in Camogie and Football also continues in the Park on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11.30am.
*The final draw of our Annual 3 month draw will take place this Saturday night 27 August. Can all ticket sellers please ensure they get their returns in early to allow the smooth administration of the draw.
*Our Under-12 Hurler’s ran out winners last week in a very competitive match against Carryduff on a scoreline of 4:04 to 2:01. Well done to all the boys. Scorers for the Town were Tiarnán Gallagher 3:00, Tiernán Connolly 1:01, Marty Steele 0:01, Cormac Watson 0:01 & Sheá Connolly 0:01. It was great run out for the boys particularly as most of the panel still qualify to play at this level next year too – well done lads
*Well done to our Under-12 girl footballer’s who defeated last week in a close exciting game on a scoreline of 3:07 to 2:05. Great performance and well done to all the girls. Special mention to two members of the panel – Mia who was selected to take part in the U12 Activity Day in Croke Park on Tuesday and Niamh who took take part in an exhibition game at half time of the All Ireland Football Semi Final on Sunday in Croke Park. Well done girls.
* Well done to the members of Newcastle CCE who had a great weekend of success at the All-Ireland Fleadh have fantastic news from Ennis. Bodhrán tutor Sean O’Neill won first place in Over 18 Bodhrán and Terry Cowan was placed 3rd in the Newly Composed Ballad Competition. A hearty congratulations from all here in the Club. You get out of it what you put in. Well done!
*Commiserations to our Camogs and Hurlers who exited the championship at the weekend. Next weekend our senior ladies and men’s footballers step into the championship ring. Good luck to them all.
* Last week’s lotto numbers were 2, 12, 23 & 27. There were no Jackpot winners and no £20 winner. This week’s jackpot will be £2,650.
