The weekend saw the passing of John (Jock) Rodgers the brother of our former Club President Kevin Rodgers. John was pre-deceased by his brothers Phil, Pat, John & Jim and sisters’ Kathleen & Peggy. John was a bricklayer by trade and worked in Dublin in his early 20’s. He was a talented footballer and travelled from Dublin to play for the Town. He was part of the panel in 1950 that won the championship. He did play some football for a club in Rathmines as it would have been difficult to keep travelling home all the time. He left to work in Canada but returned to marry Nancy. They resided in Upper Square in the Town before moving to Newcastle where he spent most of his life. Eight years ago they moved to Carryduff to be beside their daughter Mairead and grandchildren. John and Nancy had a daughter Ann who died tragically at the young age of 15 from leukaemia. In recent years John was in failing health. His beloved Nancy passed away last October. John was part of Rodgers Bros Builders that supplied employment to many people in the Castlewellan area and indeed a lot of club members. We the Executive Committee and Members wish to express our deepest sadness and sympathy to his brother Kevin, daughter Mairead and the entire Rodgers family circle. Mary Banríon má Gael guí ar a son. Féadfaidh sí a chuid eile i síocháin.

The spring lake challenge took place on Sunday past.  There was a good turn out for both the 10K and 5K races and the results are as follows; 10K men’s 1^st, David O’ Flaherty, 2^nd Brendan Quail, 3^rd Martin Melville, womens, 1^st Catherine O’ Connor, 2^nd Sinead Mc Kibbin, 3^rd Patricia Mc Kibbin, 5K 1^st Daniel Atkinson, 2^nd Edward Smyth, 3^rd Cormac Mc Kibben

STARS IN THEIR EYES New date for stars in their eyes is 23 May. Anyone interested or anyone you think would be good for this please let us know or contact Doc Ronan or Cillian

Thanks again to everyone who supported the Juvenile Big Breakfast held last week.  The buddy bear trust would also like to thank the following, Mulholland’s bar, the Mc Crickard family Leitrim, Walkers newsagents, and all who attended for their help and contributions.

Thanks to all those children who completed the winter coaching programme last Wednesday night. We hope everyone enjoyed the programme. Thanks also to all the coaches and parents who gave their time to help out.

Outdoor coaching for boys and girls from U10 down will commence in the meadow on Saturday April 18th at 10pm. We would ask everyone to have paid there annual membership on line before April 18th.

U14 Boys Football coaching will commence at the Bann Road on Tuesday evening March 31st at 6.15pm.

There will be a meeting of all juvenile coaches in the social club lasting no longer than one hour at 8.15pm on Tuesday March 31st. The meeting will include a short introduction to first aid and we would appeal to all coaches to attend if possible. We would also request the lead coach of each team to bring along their medical bag and we will have it filled for the season ahead. Please do your best to attend.

The management of the juvenile teams are asking parents to donate any old gear, boots, helmets, hurling sticks, balls etc.  Please contact any of the juvenile coaches.

The new fitness gym is complete.  The facility is available to all members and a fob giving access to the unit can be hired for an annual fee of £10. Any persons wishing to avail of the facility should contact any committee member asap.

Membership is now due. Please register your membership on-line at www.castlewellangac.com as soon as possible. All age groups and payment options are catered for.

Lotto numbers this week were 8, 12, 22 and 25. One £20 winner Seamus Owens. Jackpot now up to £8,750 for next week.  Play on-line on the clubs website or in the various shops for a chance to win our jackpot.  The new day for drawing the club lottery is now Friday.

We are currently putting together the programme for the senior footballers home games.  Anyone wishing to place an advert should contact Brian O’ Neill or Brian Dougherty.