* When you look through the history of the Castlewellan Club captured in the book “The Town” you will see all the images of past teams. You will always remember those that are particular to you, your generation or your family. In the early nineties The Town dominated the Sevens competitions they entered and with regular occurrence the photograph was taken of the team and trophy. To the right hand side of the photograph you saw the manager Colm McAlarney. On the left hand side, Colm’s right-hand man the ever-smiling Finbar McCormack. Finbar passed away on 8 July after a short illness. It was an illness he bore with dignity and great fortitude. Finbar was quiet and unassuming; the one who came forward and whispered in your ear what had to be done, but not in a demonstrative fashion. It would be wrong to speak of Finbar’s talent in such narrow terms. He was an accomplished footballer and a member of the 1979 Senior Championship winning team. In the early eighties he managed the Seconds Team who won the first ever All County Premiere Reserve League. Back then he was the player-manager. In those days a fierce competitor and the ever present full back. Again he was the one talking in your ear giving you encouragement or something stronger if need be. This will tell you he was a leader who led by example. He was a great quiz buff and many years ago he asked this scribe to provide cover for someone who couldn’t make a quiz in Denvirs Hotel. Finbar won that quiz almost single handedly. I answered one question. It was about the only mistake I think he made asking me to cover in his team! A teacher by profession he will be well remembered as the former Principal of St Mary’s Aughlisnafin and Carnacaville Primary School from where he retired two years ago. I will use the words of one of his closest friends who described him as one of life’s true gentlemen. To Finbar’s wife Elsie, sisters, Mary Rose & Patricia, to the wide family circle and his close friends we offer you our sincerest sympathy on your loss. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
* Commiserations to the Down Ladies fell at the final hurdle to Fermanagh in the Ladies Intermediate Ulster Football Final on Sunday past. They left themselves an uphill climb in the second half eventually losing out by six points a great effort from all the girls.
* Congratulations to Club Member Moya King who tied the knot last week. Moya married Gerard Fagan from the Annaclone Club on 11 July. One important part of this marriage contract now set in stone is that Moya will stand firmly as a Town supporter until at least the Championship is over. Moya will go to reside in Annaclone (we will forgive you for this!). We wish Gerard and Moya all the best and every happiness in their new life together and don’t forget to remind your new husband Moya – Up The Town!
* A reminder to all that the next Bingo will be in the club on Sunday 28 July at 3.00pm
* The final registration for the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps will be in the club this Thursday Night from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. We will be hosting Cúl Camp next week starting on Monday 22nd July – Friday 26th July. The camp runs from 10am – 2.30pm daily with a nursery camp running from 10am – 12.30pm daily. The camp is open for children who will be entering Primary Two in September to 13 years of age. Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps provide boys and girls with an action-packed and fun-filled week of activity during the summer holidays which revolves around maximising enjoyment and sustaining participant involvement in Gaelic Games. The cost for the camp is £35 for first child (2nd/3rd/4th….£30 each) and nursery camp is £25 per child. Each child will receive a free GAA kit. You can either register on-line at www.gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps or register at the Club on Saturday mornings from 10am – 11.30am Please note children whom are attending the nursery camp are unable to be registered online.
* Please note coaching and training will resume again on Saturday 20 July. 10.00am-10.45am St Malachy’s Park Nursery, P1 & P2 Hurling and Camogie. 10.00am-10.45am St Malachy’s Park P3-P7 Camogie. 10.00am-11.00am St Malachy’s Park U12 Boys Hurling. 10.45am-11.30am St Malachy’s Park Nursery, P1 and P2 Boys Football and Girls Football. TBC St Malachy’s Park P5/P6 Hurling Blitz. Saturday 20 July Nursery, P1 and P2 plus Camogie up to Under 12.
* The Attack Fitness Circuits will continue in The Club on Thursday evenings 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 6, 9, 24 & 26. There were no jackpot winners and one £20 winners this week; Anne Steele. Next week’s jackpot is £4250.