* It is with great sadness that we open this week’s notes with the sad news of the passing of Sheila Rodgers wife of our late former Player, Manager, Chairman, Trustee, and President Pat Rodgers. Sheila was also the sister in-law of our current Club President Kevin Rodgers. Sheila had been ill for some time and bore her illness in an unassuming and dignified manner. To her son Paul, daughter in-law Caroline and her grandson Aodhan we offer you our deepest sympathy and condolences on your loss. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
* Congratulations to our Senior Camogie team who annexed the club’s first ever Senior Camogie Championship Title when they beat Darragh Cross in a convincing manner in the Championship Final in Hilltown last Sunday. It was a magnificent performance by the camogs who kept the foot on the gas for the full hour. As stated previously these girls consisted of the under 12 team from five years ago. In these times it is difficult to keep so many of the girls together with so many other distractions in life. This is down to not only the girls themselves but their coaches and the influence of older players. I will not state just how old some of the older players are but one of them had the smile of a ten year old on the final whistle. That person was the goalkeeper Betty Croskery. She is not only a voice of experience but a positive influence on the girls. She was also accompanied by team Captain Debra Croskery who led by example with positive play, leadership and encouraging all the young members of the team and yes a real captain’s role. To the likes of this scribe standing on the outside and looking in it was easy to see the respect in which the younger members of the team afforded their captain. The game produced a player of the match performance from Aoife Keown who along with her midfield partner Clare Cleland who also could not have been far off that accolade ran the legs off their opponents. Congratulations especially to Martin Keown, Noreen Keown and Sheila Murdock for the work they have put in all year. It was a most satisfying performance. The panel was; Betty Croskery, Blaithin Hardy, Debra Croskery, Holly Carville, Aisling Connolly, Cara Cunningham, Julie Brown, Aoife Keown, Clare Cleland, Emma McNeill, Ciara Gibson, Katie Savage, Anna Rogan, Mairead Hardy, Catriona McNeill, Lauren McNeill, Louise McCabe, Rion Doyle, Becky White, Sinead Sweeney, Finola Rice and Roisin McNeill.
* The Nursery, P1 and P2 fundamentals have now ended on Tuesday Nights for the season. This Saturday September 14th will be the last Saturday morning training session of the season in the meadow for Nursery, P1 and P2 hurling and football and also for P3 to P7 Camogie and Girls football: Nursery, P1 and P2 Hurling and Camogie 10.00am-10.45am, P3- P7 Camogie 10.00am-10.45am. Nursery, P1 and P2 Football 10.45am – 11.30am. P3- P7 Girls Football 10.45am-11.30am. We would ask all parents to bring trainers and a few buns on Saturday so that they can help out with training and there will be juice and buns for the children at the end of coaching. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Coaches for their dedication and hard work with these age groups, the parents for bringing the children along and for their support and all those who helped make tea and coffee and snacks on a Saturday morning. We were blessed with a beautiful Summer and we hope that the children enjoyed the sessions and improved their all round skills.
* The Under 10 hurlers travelled to Bredagh on Saturday for the latest blitz and once again gave a top drawer performance. Constant heavy rain left conditions difficult for all the young hurlers but they got on with it and came away undefeated against stiff opposition. They are making continuing to make great progress and their coaches were very proud of their display on such a miserable day. Thank you to the Gaels of Bredagh for their hospitality on the day. It was very much appreciated. Next training Wednesday 6.30pm.
The Under14 Hurlers will play their County Championship Final next Saturday afternoon against Warrenpoint. The time and venue is yet to be arranged. It would be nice to see the same support that was afforded to the Camogs on Sunday past. So please come out and give the lads your support. They deserve it immensely. Under age county finals are to be savoured. Good luck to lads.
. Last Friday Night began an important week for our Senior Footballers. They beat Warrenpoint on Friday to secure at least a semi-final spot in the quest for league honours. There is still one more game to be played away to Clonduff in a few weeks time. A win in that game will keep pressure on Burren who need to win their two final league games to be qualify straight through to the final. Next Saturday night all roads will lead to Newry where we will battle it out with Burren for a Semi Final place in the Down Senior Championship. Again all your support is needed against a team that many have listed as among the favourites for the title in 2013. Good luck to the lads.
On Saturday morning order forms will be available for ordering Club gear. Indoor winter coaching will begin in early November. Thank you for all your support.
* The Senior Hurlers came up short last Friday Night in Páirc Esler against old rivals Carryduff. They were that wee bit sharper on the night against a young Castlewellan team. On speaking to one of the players on Sunday he stated just how the defeat hurt him and his teammates. The good thing this displayed is that if it doesn’t hurt then it doesn’t matter. It hurt and it mattered, a positive sign!
* The Attack Fitness Circuits will take place in The Club on Thursday evening of next week at 7.00pm. There will also be classes in St Malachy’s Park on Saturday mornings at 9.00am.
* 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 05, 09, 15 & 17. There were no jackpot and six £20 winners this week; Tony McAtamney, Colm McGreevy, Margaret King, Fintan McGreevy, Conor Boyle & Mary Duggan (Newcastle). Next week’s jackpot is £4650.