*Congratulations and commiserations in equal measure to the footballers of St Patrick High School Downpatrick and St Malachy’s High School Castlewellan. Last week between them they served up an early Christmas cracker of a game in the Danske Bank Loch an Iuir Cup Final. When you win the game in the style the St Pats boys’ did then the game it is pure ecstasy, when you lose it the way St Malachy’s did then it is a heartbreak. A kick of a ball is what made the difference. The scenes at the end bore this out. Well done to St Patrick’s for their magnificent win, well done to St Malachy’s for the way they gave it their all.
*A reminder that it is Sinsear Scór time again. The competition is for those over 17 years old. We wish to enter teams in this winter’s competition and there is a lot of capable talent in the town – do you wish to represent your club? Contact Sharon McCawley Breen on 07734682772 or by e-mail on bpaddy@hotmail.com.
* The last coaching session took place in the High School last Tuesday night in St Malachy’s High School. We hope all the children enjoyed the 5 week course. Thank you to all parents and children from St Malachy’s GAC for your support in 2015. Anyone interested in helping with juvenile coaching in 2016 please contact John O’Neill on 07711737610. Our Juveniles like in all other clubs are our life blood and what we are all trying to achieve. We need your help we can never have enough coaches and helpers with our under age teams.
*There are Irish Dancing classes in the Club every Saturday morning from 10.00am to 11.00am. Children from 3 years old and over are very welcome. If you wish to enquire further please contact Mairead on 07714134180.
*Last week’s Lotto numbers were 02 – 07 – 24 – 25. There was no jackpot winner and one £20 winner – Anne Marie Hawkins. Next week’s Jackpot is £10,700. The draw will be made on Christmas night in the club. Anyone of our members who use the social network Facebook to keep in touch and get the updates on our club lotto will vouch for the fantastic job our lotto master Charlie does each week and the efforts he puts in to make every draw original and interesting. If you have not tuned into our Facebook page on a Friday night you are missing the absolute treat of the week. Last week’s line up of “the usual suspects” was just legendary. If you can’t make it to the club on Friday night tune into our Facebook page. You are always in for a treat. You can also play our lotto on-line at www.castlewellangac.com and follow the links.
*Newcastle Athletics Club will run their 32nd annual Christmas Cracker in the Town on Monday 28 December. The event is run out of the town since the early noughties. Many of our club members are members of and compete for the Newcastle Athletics Club. Please note that this event is sold out. Race numbers can be collected in our clubrooms from 11.45am, with the race starting at 1pm. There will be refreshments in the clubrooms after the race and the presentation of prizes will be at around 3.30pm. The best vantage point for spectators will be in the vicinity of the Spring Gardens as there will be opportunities to view your favourites on at least two occasions. From there spectators will have time to make their way to the bottom of the Ridge Walk for another look before heading back to see the conclusion of the race. Come out on Monday and witness what will be a spectacular occasion.
*Thank you to all of you who have supported our club this year and to everyone who volunteered their time and effort in whatever shape or form that took. You may have cut grass, collected litter, coached a team, gave a lift or supported an event we organised or whatever action big or small. Volunteers are priceless and cannot be done without. A Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
