* There is sad news to report this week with the passing of Peggy McKibben sister of our esteemed Members Pat and Kevin Rodgers. The Executive Committee and Members of Caislean An Mhuilinn wish to extend their deepest sympathy to the McKibben and Rodgers families and the wide family circle. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
* The Annual Awards Evening will be held in Club Rooms this Saturday evening. Tickets will cost £15 and the numbers are limited. If you wish to book a table please contact Kevan Owens who is taking the bookings. Tickets are now on sale in the club. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Stephen Kernan, captain of the Crossmaglen Rangers Team who on Saturday past qualified for the All-Ireland Club Final on St Patrick’s Day.
* Congratulations to Michael Cunningham & Cahal Keown and their St Colmans team mates on qualifying for the semi – final of the McCrory Cup with a win against St Marys CBS Belfast after a replay. They will now play St Patrick’s Maghera. We wish them good luck.
* A young boy once sat on his father’s knee wearing his Castlewellan jersey. “Daddy” he said. “Can I play on the same darts team as you when I grow up?” “No son” was the reply “You’re from The Town, you can’t possibly play with me on the Annsborough team”. So it came to pass last Friday Night. Castlewellan v Annsborough in the Darts league. The Town had to inflict defeat on Annsborough to prevent the local rivals from winning the league. Then it happened, father drawn against son. Age & treachery against youth and inexperience. In the end no mercy was shown. Stephen Croskery completely outplayed his son Jason in the 4-2 win for Annsborough. A dejected Jason couldn’t even get a loser’s pint on the night from his dad! Ah well Jason at least you won something this weekend. The winners for the Town were Maurice Devlin and Castlewellan’s very own born and reared Paddy Doc. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the affable Town resident hit a 180 on the night. Paddy was the toast of the Town. All the Annsborough boys congratulated him warmly saying they wished he was one of theirs!
* The Under 10 Hurling Team again enjoyed another good day out. Two teams went to Bangor and once again excelled in the Eddie Irvine Centre. The hurling was of a high standard with some great games against Belfast opposition in St John’s, St Paul’s, Bredagh and Rossa along with Ballgalget and Portaferry. There were scores a plenty and the catching, striking and support play was a joy to watch. The other team were asked to travel to Banbridge and gave a really good account of themselves against Ballela, Liatroim and Ballyvarley. Again the striking, blocking and score taking was first class with each boy giving his all. Only one more week to go of the Down indoor Under 10 hurling with training in primary school Thursday. Players to meet at 10.45 next Sunday.
* The new underage Ladies Football season is upon us once again. More details of training etc will appear in this column over the next few weeks. With last year’s successful season well and truly gone the girls will have to work doubly hard to attain success to anywhere near last year’s level.
* Preparations for The Spring Lake 10K on Sunday 25 March are gathering pace. We encourage all playing/non playing club members to support the event by participating in it. In some recent correspondence one member has had trouble recently spelling Forest. He had been watching Forrest Gump repeated on TV. Not exactly a box of chocolates is it Kevin!
* The indoor hurling coaching sessions will continue on Thursday nights in St Malachy’s Primary School. Coaching will start at 6.15 pm for the Primary 2 to Primary 4 boys and the coaching for the Primary 5 boys and older will commence at 7.15pm. Indoor hurling gear is provided.
* The Senior Hurlers were well beaten in Saturday’s Ulster League tie against Warrenpoint at the seaside venue. This week the Hurlers are away to St Moninne’s in Dundalk.
* Camogie training/coaching for the Under 10 girls continues in St Malachy’s Primary School on Wednesday Night from 6.00pm to 7.00pm. This will be followed from 7.00pm to 8.00pm with coaching training for the under 12 girls. All participants must ensure they bring their own bottle of water and indoor footwear. Please do not bring black rubber soles trainers.
* There will be training at the Bann Road Complex on Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm for the junior camogs. All new, old and older players welcome!
* The Castlewellan GAC Running Club continues their runs on Tuesday and Thursday Night. All runners should meet at the Club at 6.45pm to begin running at 7.00pm. Again all those male, female, young and not so young are all invited to come along and there is even a cup of tea thrown in at the end with some great chat and banter.
* There were no jackpot winners in the Club Lotto this week and three £20 winners. They were Jason Croskery, Cara Murphy and Patricia McConvey. Jackpot next week is £1050.
