RGU Notes

RGU U-14’s took on Saul in the East Down U-14 A Championship Semi Final.With the wind blowing a gale the game was perhaps spoiled as a spectacle for the great number of supporters who turned up for both sided writes Michael Starkey. It was indeed the proverbial game of two halves. In the first half with the wind at their backs Saul started brightly pegging over the first four points of the game. Downpatrick through the productive John Shields scored their first and only score of the half.   With the wind and their opponents in the ascendence the Hoops fought hard but found it nearly impossible to work the ball up the field to their underworked forward line. Midway through the first half a shot from distance just evaded the stretching Colin Leckey in the RGU goal.  The Hoops’ defence was working overtime to allay their opponents, forcing a number of wides.  However, Saul would go on to extend their lead with what may be described as a fortuitous second goal and a number of points to lead 2-7 to 0-1 at the interval. A third goal was conceded by the RGU early in the second half with again the wind playing havoc with the keepers reading of the flight of the ball.  This was to be Saul’s only score for quite some time.  The concession of the third goal seemed to be the catalyst for an awaking in the RGU ranks, along with the introduction of the impressive Tim Prenter who wasted little time in hassling and harrying the Saul defence into an error with which he duly dispatched the ball to the back of the net. Downpatrick scored 1-7 without reply reducing their opponents lead to 6 points.  A further Saul point was added which again produced an exerted amount of pressure from the young Hoops.  With only 5 minutes left the Saul lead was only 2 points. However, all the industry in the first 55 minutes seemed to be beginning to take its toll as the RGU began to tire.  Saul put in a late flurry with 2 points in the closing minutes to prevail by 4 points.  3-10 to 1-12. It was an extremely hard working display from the Hoops in the second half with every man showing great strength and work rate.  They will no doubt be back to fight another day.Everyone at RGU wishes Saul well in the East Down U14 Final. Hurling:  Launch day for the new Under-10 Hurling. All boys and girls welcome on Sunday 25th September from 10.30 to 11.30 at the Club. Any queries ring Ciaran Cunningham on 07528260062 On 15th October the Club will be bringing the popular play ‘A NIGHT WITH GEORGE‘, written by Brenda Murphy, and directed by Tony Devlin, to the Great Hall in the Downshire Hospital. This is expected to be a sell-out, so we recommend that you get your tickets immediately. The price of £15 includes a free glass of wine or a soft drink. The Club will be open for ticket sales from  Wednesday to Sunday from 8 PM to 9 PM. Tickets can also be purchased from all committee members. Another fund-raising event will take place on Saturday 12th November in the form of a ‘Come Dine With Me‘ event. Volunteers are needed to host a dinner party at their home, and afterwards all hosts and guests will proceed to the Clubrooms to be treated to a night of top quality entertainment. If you are interested in playing host please contact any committee member immediately. On all Ireland Football Final Day, 18th September, the Club will be open all afternoon. Watch the game on the big screen and bring all the family. There will be spot prizes given out to both adults and children all afternoon, so don’t miss out. Lotto numbers for this week were 14, 15, 17, and 21. Jackpot not won, 4 share £100. Next week’s jackpot £3300. For party bookings ring Brian on 07745496213. If you have any club information/ announcements or match reports which you would like to have included in next week’s Club Notes, please send the details via email to rgu1@hotmail.co.uk. Our website is updated on a regular basis. For all the latest news go to www.rgudownpatrick.com]]>