* In last week’s notes we highlighted the fantastic theatrical performances of our members with their production of Mrs Brown’s Boys. One of the lines often used when the wheels come off in a performance is that no matter what the show must go on. I would relate that to the totally sporting theme this week and take our hats off to our Senior Ladies Footballers and the Under 16 boys who both lost out this weekend in their respective championship matches which ended their seasons.
* In Belfast the Senior Ladies Footballers took on the Antrim Champions St Pauls in the first round of the Ulster Senior Ladies Football Championship. Sadly it was a game the ladies were always chasing after a poor start. This was not the signal to give up. On the contrary, the girls gave it their all. Perhaps when you are chasing the game the decisions don’t go with you. There were a plethora of missed chances some of which need to be converted to determine the course of the game. In the end the ladies lost by eight points. Well done to Jim, Niall and Geraldine and all the ladies. Whilst it was a disappointing defeat, it is the only trophy you didn’t win this year having annexed the Senior Championship, The Senior League and The Feis Sevens. It wasn’t exactly an unsuccessful year. Thank you for the games you entertained us in with great skill and endeavour. You will be back.
* The Under 16 Boys were well beaten in the County Under 16B Championship Final in Ballykinlar against Glenn. No-one can knock the huge effort the lads put in against a strong Glenn Team whose Full Forward Gerard Bagnall put in an hour’s football were everything he touched turned to gold, a truly exceptional performance from a young lad. I mentioned earlier that when the wheels come off the show must go on. At 21 minutes in the game it was a one point game. Two goals in a minute changed the game completely. A third one on the stroke of half time and the hill just got more difficult to climb. The lads needed a goal which just didn’t come. It would have been easy to drop the head, the lads didn’t do that they battled on right to the end. Well done to Declan Fitzpatrick and all the lads. You worked very hard this year and you deserve a lot of credit. It may seem silly but there was a victory of sorts, the lads never gave up and the hurt at the end was obvious. The old saying, “if it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t matter”. You have done your club and your families proud. Well done for all your efforts.
* There was 2 minutes of added on time, we had the wind on our backs and Big Aidy launched one last missile from 40 yards out on the wing. The resultant score levelled the game. The kick out came and the game was over. Was it a point gained or a point lost against Clonduff on a wet and Windy Wednesday Night in Hilltown. If the truth be told if felt at the time as if it was a point lost. As the weekend results unfolded, Burren lost to Loughinisland giving The Town a right of passage into the League Division One Final for the first time in 10 years. We will play the winners of Burren and Kilcoo from the semi-final. A gale force wind blowing from one end of the pitch to the other throws up the oldest of clichés “a game of two halves”. Clonduff playing for their Division One life against a team needing to get the points to keep the pressure on Burren & Kilcoo and a possible League Final place. Clonduff where out of the blocks quickly though the Town’s finishing let them down. We were containing The Yella’s but conceded 1-3 in the last five minutes of the first half leaving us trailing by nine points. A much better attitude and added attacking flair brought us back into the game. In a game which meant a lot to both teams it was topsey turvey with boys out on their feet near the end. So Big Aidy’s last gasp score meant in the end a precious point gained. A point which carries us into the League Final. The lads are deservedly there having been consistent in their performances for most of the year. It will be difficult against the two county finalists the winners from which without any doubt will wear the favourites tag. Well done to the lads.
* The young lads beat Saul in the Under 12 ½ Championship on Sunday past. Well done to Aidy and the boys on what was a great performance all round.
* St Malachy’s Park hosted the three County Under 14 Finals last Saturday. Anyone who was there will have witnessed three absolutely cracking games. To the winners An Riocht, Ballyholland and Burren we congratulate you and to St Johns, Kilcoo and Bredagh well done though it is no consolation for your contribution to those fabulous nerve racking games. Thank you to all the committee and club members who put in a sterling stint on Saturday in St Malachy’s Park.
* The Attack Fitness Circuits will resume this week on Thursday evening at 7.00pm on Wednesday in the Club and on Saturday
* 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 01, 03 16 & 23. There were no jackpot and one £20 winner this week; Grace Duffin. Next week’s Jackpot is £4850.