Weekly Notes Castlewellan GAC 31 August 2014
* This Thursday night sees the beginning of the Down Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals. First up is ourselves and Burren. For the second year in a row we now face our South Down rivals. It will be tough as we have not registered a championship or league win against Burren in quite a while. Thursday night is a good night to start rectifying that statistic. Whatever you are doing on Thursday night – put it on hold! Get out there and support the lads – they have worked hard. So now continue and add your support to help them get over the line in this tough encounter. The match is fixed for Pairc Esler with the throw in timed for 8.30pm. Good luck to the lads.
* This Saturday night sees our senior ladies Contest the Down Ladies Senior Championship Final with Annaclone in Hilltown at 6.00pm. Our ladies will probably go into the final as favourites by virtue of the fact that they are the current holders. Dublin (sorry Susan!) went into last Sundays match with Donegal as favourites and we all know what happened there. We will not have the overwhelming favourites tag. Annaclone were impressive in the defeat of Bredagh in the semi-final. They beat our neighbours Bryansford in the final three years ago as the underdogs so Liam, Marty, Geraldine and the girls will know full well what they are up against with absolutely no complacency whatsoever. Good luck to you all. Thank you to members and friends who supported Sunday Mornings Big Breakfast organised by our senior ladies team to support the costs associated to them qualifying for the Championship final. We especially thank Moya and Karen Keown for their help and support last Sunday morning. It was appreciated. Good luck to everyone involved in the team and we ask all our supporters to come out and give the ladies the support they deserve.
* Well done to our Club members & players Karen, Cara, Orla, Kyla & Lisa who were involved with the Down Ladies last weekend when Down qualified for the All Ireland Final beating Leitrim by a point after extra time. They will in the final in Croke Park on 28 September. We do intend to run a bus to the final. Anyone interested please contact Moira Hawkins.
* Congratulations to Amy Barr and Sorcha McCartan who are represented The Under14 County Camogs last Saturday in the Championship semi-final in Madden GAC against Armagh Camogs. Both girls played excellent and did their club proud. Sorcha scoring 1-3 and Amy holding the defensive line when called upon. Down finished victorious with the scoreline 8-11 to 0-5, which reflects the great work rate and performance displayed by this young side. They face Derry in the final. Well done everyone involved and Good Luck!
* This week was disappointing for the Town Under14 girls side who faced Bredagh, twice in a matter of days. Firstly, travelling to Bredagh late last Wednesday and then at home early on Sunday. Sadly, both games the Town girls came out second best. Sunday defeat hurt as it was a great day and a lot of people were around the club to support the Senior Ladies breakfast morning. Defeat can only be built upon and hopefully the girls will learn from it and move on especially as this Sunday sees them face local rival’s Bryansford at home in the Championship semi-final. A full turnout of our young Town ladies is needed at training this week to ensure everyone is tuned in for the big game. Good luck girls and see you all at training this week. It will help you succeed!
* The under 8 and under 10 camogs attended the all-county blitz in Clonduff last Saturday morning. Both teams played very well with the under 10 girls winning 4 out of their 5 games. The under 8 girls showing some very good striking and showed a bucket load of enthusiasm. Well done and keep up the good work girls.
* The Town lost their final senior league game of the season to rival Bryansford by three points last Thursday Night. The Town had already qualified for the play – offs. There was a complicated outside chance of us qualifying directly for the final but that did not happen. Bryansford qualify for the final and we will play Mayobridge at some stage in the league semi-final.
* The first of our three annual draws took place in the club last Saturday night. The details of all the winners are now up on the window of our club, Facebook and our website www.castlewellangac.com. The next draw will take place on Saturday 27 September 2014. The executive committee wishes to thank all our friends and members for your outstanding support for this draw. To those who wished to support the draw and were unable to secure a ticket we are sorry as the draw was limited to 500 tickets.
* Slimming World at Castlewellan GAC on Tuesday from 5.30pm and 7.30pm and Wednesday at 9.30am. Any queries contact Lorna 07531595280
* Last Friday night our Under 6 boys and girls played an exhibition match at half time in the senior game between Castlewellan and Bryansford. A lot of parents of the children and supporters of both clubs at the senior game commented on what fun the game was and on their enthusiasm and exuberance. We congratulate all the children from both clubs along with their coaches and mentors for providing such great entertainment for us all. The next generation – look what we’ve started! Well done to the kids!
* Under 6 fundamentals coaching continues at the Bann Road On Tuesday evening from 6.15pm to 7.15pm
* Saturday morning Under 6 Hurling and Camogie 10.00am-10.45am, Football 10.45am-11.30am.
* Order forms for Club gear will be available on Saturday morning. Anyone wishing to purchase new gear please come along and get the forms. Please note that any orders made must be accompanied with the monies to purchase the gear.
* Down will play Laois in the All-Ireland Premiere Camogie Final on Sunday14 September at 12.00pm in Croke Park. The Club is considering running a bus to the match for anyone who wishes to go but especially our under age Camogs. If you are interested please contact Noreen Keown as soon as possible.
