RGU Notes

Pat Morgan on Sunday writes Michael Starkey. Pat has been involved with the Club all his life in the fields of administration, fundraising and Scor. He was regular caller at the Lotto every Sunday night and always called in for a bit of banter with the regulars. xa0Pat hardly missed a home football matchwhether it was the under 10s or seniors. xa0He will be sadly missed about the Club and County. xa0A Mhuire, Banrion na nGael, guigh ar a anam. A Tribute To Joe Lyttle It was also with great sadness that everyone at the RGU learned of the untimely death of Joe Lyttle, a former player who represented Downpatrick over many years in the 1970’s and 1980’s. After moving to the county town in 1971 Joe quickly became a very active member of the RGUxa0 playing in very successful underage teams before moving on to the great minor team of 1976 who won all before them in Down. Joe’s great defensive qualities were well noted by the senior manager of the time, Pat Oakes, and he was part of the teak tough full back line of the Championship winning team in 1978 along side Macartan Bryce and Paddy Galbraith, and he went on to represent the Hoops well into the 1980’s. Joe also was one of the many RGU representatives on the All-Ireland winning Red High team of 1977. Yet Joe will alwaysxa0 be remembered by his team-mates and peers for being a true gentleman and witty raconteur who was extremely popular with all who came into contact with him. To his widow, Briege, children Joanna, Jennifer & Daniel, and indeed the wider Lyttle family, we extend our condolences. Ar Lámh dhéis Dé go rabh a anam. Club Notes The Senior Reserves were at home to Clann na Banna on Sunday and secured a draw when they had the game in the bag going into the final quarter. xa0Next game isxa0 Wednesday (April 6th) at home against Liatroim. xa0Please note the throw in is at 7.30pm. The Club would like to wish our juvenile chairman Ciaran Cunningham a speedy recovery following an operation, and hope it’s not long before he is back to normal club duties. Membership is now due. Anyone who has yet to pay can they please give their form and money to their Manager, Nishy Wynn or Roisin Polly as soon as possible. U-12 training continues on Tuesday nights from 7 – 8.30 pm. U-12 girls training Saturday mornings from 10.30-11.30.am U-16 girls train on Thursday evenings at 6.30, and Sunday mornings at 11.00am. Senior ladies Wed 6.30pm. All are welcome. Under-14 football training continues on Saturdays at 3.00pm. Training for the Under 6’s, 8’s and 10’s continues on Saturday mornings at 10.30am. There have been fantastic numbers at all 3 sessions so far but we welcome any newcomers, where we have put in a great number of highly qualified and highly enthusiastic coaches. Hopefully in 10 years or so it will be these boys and girls we will be going to Croke Park to cheer on The U-12’s had a very enjoyable day in the capital on Saturday, when a panel of 19 players travelled to watch Down take on Dublin in Croke Park. Prior to the big game, the boys played their first friendly xa0of the season when they took on xa0top Dublin side St Vincent’s. Despite conceding several inches and pounds to their opponents the boys put up a great fight before succumbing to a 4-6 to 0-13 defeat. Indeed had the boys taken a few of their goal chances they could have pulled off a great win. Scorers on the day were Paul Smyth-5pts, Tim Prenter-2pts, Ronan Murphy-2pts, Morgan Fitzpatrick-1pt, Colin Lecky-1pt, Daniel Kelly-1pt and of course not forgetting Tom Smyth who chipped in with a point and proceeded to celebrate the whole way home! Congratulations to Daniel Kelly , Caolin Logue and Eoin Watterson who all made their debuts in the hooped jersey. The u12s also took part in a special Ulster Council training session last Thursday, where they left a very good impression with the visiting coaches. Training for the u12s continues on Tue evenings at 7-8.30. This Sunday the U-12s start their season proper when they travel to Kilcoo for their first domestic outing of the year. Games are at 1pm this week and travel arrangements will be confirmed later this week. Set dancing continues on Tuesday nights at 7.30. Anyone interested just turn up or ring Johnny on 07710369509. For party bookings ring Brian on 07745496213. This week’s lotto numbers were 2,5,14, and 26. Five share £100 and next week’s jackpot is £3800. If you have any club information or announcements which you would like to have included in next week’s Club Notes, please send the details via email to [email protected] Our website is updated on a regular basis. For all the latest news go to www.rgudownpatrick.com]]>