* The Senior footballers played out a draw with Mayobridge last Thursday night in the third outing of the season. There are no easy games in Division 1 and with Michael Walsh’s charges coming to the Bann Road venue looking for their first points of the year, they were always going to be dangerous. And so it proved to be. The first score of the game was a goal for the visitors after five minutes which put the Town immediately on the back foot. Play was even enough for the first 15 minutes with the game being tight and The Bridge keeping ahead. In the next 10 minutes they completely dominated the game scoring at will with some excellent scores. At this stage there was only one winner. The lads hung in there taking a couple of great goaling chances from Fintan McGreevy and a great finish by Aidy Burns following a quick Luke Toner free. The goals brought the lads back into the game going in at half time with a two point deficit. The Town soon wiped out that deficit and were soon in a commanding three point lead. At this point the lads should have pushed on having rode out the first half storm. But back came the Bridge and carve out three points to come level with five minutes to go. The Town forged ahead again with a Collie Flanagan point but again the Bridge hung in and levelled with three minutes to go. It was a frantic final three minutes with The Town not putting away the chances we had in that at time. In the end both sides would settle for a draw. It was a fast moving game with both teams playing their part and providing an entertaining game that produced some quality football.
* The U-16 Footballers were defeated by 6 points away to An Riocht. In a closely fought contest the Town lad’s battled hard and at times played some great football. If they keep up the level of commitment results will surely come. Best for The Town on the night were Ronan Barr, Sean Conlon, Conor Magorrian and Sean O’Boyle
* Sascha Distel and BJ Thomas sang that famous song ‘Rain Drops Keeping Falling On My Head’. For a long while on Sunday morning it looked like the weather man would be playing that tune. But happily enough the rain only visited for a short time and did not interfere with the 2nd Annual Castlewellan GAC Spring Lake Challenge. The race was put back to Sunday past due to the poor weather before Easter that forced us to move the date of the race. The large number of hardy runners were not put off by the prospect of the rain. There were many good performances where runners improved on their performance from last year despite the blustery conditions. That said the conditions were also cooler and more conducive to running. Still you cannot have it all your own way. From an early point in the race it was clear that that one man was going to dominate the race which start at the club and snaked its way up around Castlewellan Forest Park, around the Lake, up past the Cypress Pond, through the Spring Gardens and finally finishing in front of the Lake. Brendan Teer from East Down AC who on Saturday took the honours at the Ballynahinch 10K romped home well ahead of the field to win this year’s race in convincing style. In second place was Paul Carlin from St John’s GAC. The first Over 40 male home was Alan Johnston from Murlough AC. First Over 45 male home was John ‘Hen’ Kelly from Newcastle AC. Hen, you are still a Town Man! There was an audition as part of the revival of the TV series ‘Lost’. The other John Kelly from the Newcastle AC competed very well for the part. John will know what we mean! He then found himself again and was the first Over 50 male home. In the Ladies race Catherine O’Connor made it an East Down AC double by being first home followed by Patricia McKibbin from the Bryansford Club who was close behind. First Over 40 home was Amanda Perry from North Belfast Harriers. Castlewellan AC had its first success with Linda Rogan being the first Over 45 Female home. Finally the first Over 50 home was Maura King from the Murlough AC club. From the competitive athlete to those taking part in the 5K or 10K fun run for a better time to those who just wanted to finish the run and have the satisfaction of saying they did it, we’ll done! The hill at the Cypress Pond was a tester for all and everyone worked up that hill. Thank you to all the stewards and those who worked tirelessly at registration and in the kitchen. Everyone made it a great day.
* On Saturday almost 50 of our under 8 & 10 footballers took part in a juvenile blitz in St Malachys Park. Thankfully the weather stayed sunny and all the children enjoyed the day’s football. Thank you to all the parents whom assisted with providing and serving refreshments in the club for the players and visiting teams. We raised £36 from donations for the sandwiches/buns/cakes kindly provided by our parents. This money was donated to the Anderson/Ranaghan family towards the Marie Curie appeal. Photographs of the blitz are now up on the club website. Thank you to Brian Cunningham for the photos. Special mention to juvenile player’s Mark McAleenan & Hugh Rice.
* Last weekend there was a very special Charity Night for Marie Curie in the club to mark what would have been the 40th birthday of Michelle Ranaghan (nee Anderson). Michelle died of cancer at the age of 32. This was a lovely way for the family to remember Michelle and to also highlight the work that cancer charities do. Our community like so many others have been affected by cancer illnesses. The local community and those further afield came in and supported the family in their fundraising. The karaoke was fun. The scribe of this column refused to damage the ears and the sensibilities of the masses by not allowing his ‘dulcet tones’ to wreak havoc. However, than cannot be said of a few others! Still everyone sang and laughed for this great cause. Thank you to the Anderson family and all Michelle’s friends for the night they put on in her memory. It was a special night.
* Juvenile training schedule for the week is as follows; Thursday 2nd May 6.30-7.30 Bann Road P3-P5 Hurling. Friday May 3rd 5.00-6.00 St Malachys Park U12 Boys Football. Saturday 4th May Note, there will be no coaching or blitzes. Tuesday 7th May 6.30-7.30 Bann Road P3-P6 Boys Football. The under 14 footballers will train at the Bann Road on Wednesday night at 6.30pm.
* Following on from Activ8, there will be Attack Fitness Circuits every Thursday Night in the Club at 7.00pm. the cost of the circuits is £3.00 per head. This is another great collective way to top up your fitness.