* Soccer doesn’t normally get the first mention in this GAA Club Notes. I hope I will be forgiven! Its June 1972, a month earlier (6th May to be precise) Leeds United had beaten Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup Final (Alan Clarke 53rd minute goal Cills!). This scribe is 9 years old. Primary 5, 6 & 7 had just been confirmed by the late Bishop Philbin and like it is now I was off for a feed. In them days it was the sponsor who looked after everything. Well that’s how this scribe was looked after. The Slieve Donard Hotel for dinner, what a treat! You always remember treats and kindness like this. I tried to tell my sponsor that I wanted to play for Leeds United! He just smiled and said “young lad you will play for The Town!” Brian King with his first born bouncing on his knee told me that. The scribe has never regretted that advice and chose The Town! History will tell you I got it right! I still support Leeds though. After the Slieve he was back out on his milk round. Life went on. Before and since then he has espoused all good things about Castlewellan. At the Annual Awards Night last Saturday Brian stepped up to receive the Johnny O’ Neill Hall Of Fame Award. I can see Johnny nodding in approval. There isn’t enough column inches to describe the recipient of this award except to say that he always gives his time for his club. Committee man, manager, full forward (chest stuck out and glasses off!) and someone every club needs. That covers a lot. He stepped up to receive his award from Maurice O’Neill and Club Chairman Rory McCabe to rapturous applause. Brian was indeed a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
This was a real family occasion with Brian’s son Ronan receiving the Club Person of the Year Award for his outstanding work. His initiatives have helped push our club forward in our community. A proud father & son and a very proud King family were there to witness and enjoy this great occasion. There was also a notable award to St Malachy’s Primary School in recognition of winning the Cumann na mBunscol National Award for the best in school in Ireland for their promotion of Gaelic Games in the large school category in 2012. We are always grateful for the work that our schools in the parish do. Like all clubs you cannot thank them enough for the work they do.
The Castlewellan Scor na Nóg Instrumental Group performed on the night to an enthusiastic gathering. They narrowly missed out in the Ulster Semi-Final. We are all proud of what they have done and achieved. Well done to; Niamh Howell, Miadhachlughain O Donnell, Ciara Maguire, Niamh Bloomer and Ruairi Howell. No doubt we will hear from them again. Also honoured was Gavin Corrigan. It is not too often you get the honour of refereeing an All-Ireland Final. It speaks volumes when the powers that be come calling on you to referee another. That is exactly the honour that was bestowed on Gavin. Having refereed The 2011 Ladies Intermediate All-Ireland Final, he was called on again last October to referee the Senior Ladies All-Ireland Final between Cork and Kerry. We were absolutely delighted that he was afforded this honour. We hope that he will continue to be given games of this calibre.
* All the award winners were; Hall of Fame Brian King; Club Person of the Year Ronan King; Senior Footballer of the Year Luke Toner; Senior Hurler of the Year Colm McCann; Ladies Footballer of the Year Noeleen O’Higgins; Under 21 Footballer of the year David Gilmore; Minor Footballer of the Year Sean Dornan; 2nds Footballer of the Year Colm Og Crilly; Contribution Award Minor Football Team Gerard Keown; Recognition Award – Refereeing Ladies All-Ireland Senior Final Gavin Corrigan; Recognition Award to St Malachy’s Primary School for the 2012 Cumann na mBunscol National Award. Congratulations to all our winners and a big thank you to everyone involved who made the night a great success.
* There will be a Coaching Course in the Club on Saturday March 23rd from 9.00am to 12.00 Noon for all juvenile coaches from all codes from (4 year olds to 18 year olds) and anyone in the Club who wishes to take part in juvenile coaching in the future. The course will begin at 9.00am sharp with breakfast. Anyone who is unable to attend please contact John O’Neill on 07711737610. Would all coaches please bring a list of the training equipment, balls and Jerseys to this course and give the list to Brian O’Neill.
* The winter coaching has ended for Primary School children this week. Outdoor training will commence mid April. We will give you full details later.
* A reminder would you please note that all children must have and wear gum shields during these training sessions and games. Refer to http://www.gaa.ie/ for more information.
* Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 Camogie training continues every Wednesday in St. Malachy’s Primary School from 6.15pm – 7.15pm. Please wear suitable foot wear which will not mark the floor.
* Hurling coaching will continue on Thursday evenings at St Malachy’s Primary School at 6.00pm. From 6.00pm to 7.00pm coaching will cater for P1 to P4 boys. 7.00pm to 8.00pm will cater for P5 to year 8 boys eligible to play U12 hurling in 2013.
* The lotto numbers for this week were 4, 13, 15 & 22. There were no jackpot winners and two £20 winners Bernie Rooney and John McAleenan. Next Week’s Jackpot is £3400.
