* Well Saturday Night past was Strictly Night – The Final – in Castlewellan GAC and what a night! A feast of dancing like no other. It was a night for the young and the eh..not so young. Who would triumph above all others. Really all the couples who took part over the three nights were winners. Winners because they came out at night to practice and to perfect. They gave it a go and gave everyone fun and enjoyment along the way. Above all else they enjoyed the craic among themselves that came along with it. You only had to look at the programme to see the adverts of support for the dancers to see how seriously they had prepared for the show. All six couples performed two dances each. First up was Paul “Thicke” McArdle and Orla “ Twerkie” Boyle. For those of you familiar with the pop charts today you will know what I mean. Their dance wasn’t nasty – it was excellent. They finished with a 007 number and he looked like bond with Orla definitely a Bond Girl! On came The Godfather of the show and his moll, Rory “The Don” McAlinden and Shell “Flapper Dorans” (got it right children!). They announced their intentions with two slick routines perfectly danced and acted out by the both of them. Rory will now permanently adopt the 1920’s look in future. Shell and Rory dance a perfect Charleston with fun and zeal and brought the house down. Chelsea McVeigh and Niall “Farney” Duffy performed excellently with a graceful performance. Chelsea picked up a painful muscle injury during the week and it was a miracle that she was able to perform at all. Like a true trouper she did not let the side down she soldiered on until the pain became too much. Niall announced to the audience that they would be unable to complete their second dance. Niall did make a defiant fist shaking gesture then an “Up Monaghan” roar which left us all a wee bit bemused as he is from Fermanagh! Conal “Cool” Corrigan and Megan “#UTT” Clarke took to the floor. All week Megan had been saying she was doing it for “The Boro” half of which were there to support them. Conal and Megan performed theirs roll magnificently! The babies of the competition Jason “Baby” Croskery and Clare “The True Dancer” Cleland blew us all away with their two dances especially their version of Flashdance. The extortionate style of collecting votes was perfected by Jason’s mother Betty. This was a highlight of the evening. The Club will be running a counselling service this week for those affected by her methods! (I’ll be there!) Finally the last couple for both parts of the show Oonagh “The Fontenoy” Rice and Gavin “Also From The Boro” Burns. Again a fantastic performance from one of the favourites to win this year’s competition. Forget and loyalties to The Town, To Liatriom or Monaghan, Gavin wanted to be top dog in Annsborough!. Once the votes were counted there was a tense and exciting atmosphere as it came down to the last two, Jason & Clare and Rory & Shell. Age and experience triumphed on this occasion with Rory and Shell being crowned champions to the rapturous applause. This was a competition which we all enjoyed. Thank you to everyone who made it happen, those who danced and everyone who worked over the three nights. Isn’t it scary – we now have had two Rory’s as winning partners in this competition. I wonder if there will be a certain Rory be dancing in it next year now that he has no chairman’s role and more time on his hands! #3inarowRory! A few of the photographs taken on the night are up on the club’s website, www.castlewellangac.com .
* Next Sunday 15th December is the Cross Community over 55’s Christmas Dinner. Could we ask all available members to come along and lend their support to help out?
* Mrs Brown is back in a new storyline on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December. Saturday 21st show is already sold out, as this show is going to be an absolute cracker! Again, there is no reserved seating so its first come first served. Tickets are available for the Friday night show in Walkers newsagents.
* The juvenile presentation night will be on this Friday 13 December 2013 in the Club.
* There is a list of Coaching Development course on the website. Anyone wishing to attend a course please contact John O’Neill on 07711737610.
* Club gear will be available to collect in the club this week at the following times: Tuesday evening from 6.45pm to 7.30pm, and on Wednesday evening from 7.45pm to 8.30pm. There are some extra club shorts and socks for all sizes available to purchase. There are also club umbrellas for sale if any member is looking for a stocking filler.
* If anyone is struggling for further stocking fillers this Christmas then you can get them something of value and to use. We have a solution – A gift certificate for membership Of Castlewellan GAC. Certificate are available for any amount up to the value of the membership. Please contact Club Registrar Ronan King for more details.
* The weekly Castlewellan AC weekly runs continue every Tuesday and Thursday leaving the Club at 7.00pm.
* The numbers in this week’s lotto were 5, 19, 21, 22. There were no jackpot and no £20 winners this week. Next week’s Jackpot is £5300.
