* There was sad news this week at the passing of John Hanna father of our recently deceased honorary member Frank Hanna. We wish to extend our sympathy to the Hanna family and their wide family circle on this sad loss. Mary Queen of the Gael pray for him. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
* So it is Sunday evening 1st June 1980 (not that long ago) and Castlewellan are playing against St Teresa’s Belfast in the then famed Bellaghy Tournament. The Town’s subs bench is littered with senior hopefuls and among them are Mark Donegan, Martin McClean and the slightly older Paul Rooney. Mid-way through the second half Mark asks Martin “what’s the score?” Martin squinted slightly and delayed his reply. Mark soon realises that Martin couldn’t see the scoreboard. Laughing he says “What do you think of that” as he nudged Paul, “Martin can’t see the scoreboard!” Paul replied swiftly and honestly, “neither can I!” This was met with laughter from the then three young gentlemen. In the years following that summer night contact lenses lengthened at least one of these guys footballing career though I am not sure if it brought improvement to his footballing ability. Paul had his eye on another sport, his passion, the sport of kings so he must have developed a good eye for a good horse in those days. Roll the clock forward almost 34 years to Saturday week ago the 29 March in Dubai and Paul’s passion is still the same but now owning and racing horses. His horse Certerach is lined up for the Dubai Gold Cup two mile race at the Meydan course. No point in pretending that this scribe knows anything about horse racing but it is suffice to say jockey Jamie Spencer wearing the emerald green and black of The Town and Certerach upset a fine field in front of the 65,000 assembled to win in a close finish. So I will be brazen and say congratulations to Paul for bringing home The Town’s first piece of silverware (even though it’s gold!) of the season! Ok I know we had nothing to do with it but isn’t it great to see one of our own doing so well in a sport he clearly has a passion for. The lesson for us all is you do get out of sport what you put in to it. Only Paul knows if Jamie burst into the song “It’s a grand oul horse to race on”. The Town will be running a bus to the Melbourne Cup in November….
* Over the past few months our young primary 4 and primary 5 school children have been rehearsing and practicing real hard to present their production of “School Of Rock”. The play to be performed in our Club Rooms which has been directed by Kieran Milligan from Milligan’s School of Performing Arts promises to be first class entertainment. Tickets are now available for the children’s play which takes place in our club rooms on Saturday 12 April at 7.45pm & Sunday 13 April at 4.00pm. Tickets can be purchased for £5.00 from either Walkers Newsagents or directly from the club. There will be entertainment in the club following the performance on Saturday. All friends, relatives and indeed club members should make an effort to come along to their performance and show the children your appreciation for the hard work they have done and you will be well entertained at the same time.
* The Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Lenten Appeal has been set up by the children of St Malachy’s Primary School to help raise funds for a charity that has links to young children. They want to make a real difference to the lives of impoverished children in Ethiopia who really need their help through their links “Children in Crossfire”. They have created a link with St Luke’s Hospital in Ethiopia to help fund a nutrition rehabilitation project that exists in the hospital. Right through Lenten the children have been raising funds through various different activities in the school. They will be collecting for the charity next weekend at mass in St Malachy’s Church on Saturday evening mass and 11.00am mass on Sunday morning. Please give what you can in support of the school children but more importantly the reason why the children are collecting funds.
* There is training for the Under 14 ladies footballers at Bann Road on Thursday night at 6.30pm. All those interested in playing please attend.
* Thank you to all those who attended the coaches meeting on Friday night.
* Under 10 and Under 12 hurling training has resumed every Monday at 5.45pm in St Malachy’s Park. Any boys in the area who are interested in playing hurling is welcome to come along and get involved. There are sticks and helmets available for anyone starting out.
* The Under 8 and Under 10 Camogs have their first blitz this Saturday 12 April in Mayobridge. All players please meet at the club at 10.00am.
* Under 12 outdoor camogie training starts next Wednesday 16th April 6.15pm – 7.15pm in St Malachy’s Park.
* It all starts again for the Senior Footballers this Friday Evening in Loughinisland. This is a repeat of the opening fixture last season which The Town won well. it will be a different game this time. Loughinisland are at home and they have man their ground a bit of a fortress with Burren coming unstuck there this in their last game of the League last season. Our hosts wont be too keen to get off to the start they did last season. it is a tough openor!
* The Seconds great start to the league came to a shuddering halt last Friday Night. They fell to a good Burren side who were probably on a revenge mission following their PRFC defeat to us in the final last season. Connfidence would have been good following a good away win to Kilcoo on Monday night of last week. it just goes to show you are only as good as your last game.
