* Saturday night was Ladies night in the meadow. With our Senior Ladies footballers entertaining Carryduff in the Bellini’s Down Ladies Senior Football Championship tie. With all due respect to Carryduff on this occasion the game was a very one sided affair. That said the Town played very well knocking over some very impressive scores. This weekend will be a different affair. The semi – final draw for all the ladies Championship were held after this game. And who would have believed it! – The Town have been paired with neighbours and old rivals Bryansford in a mouth – watering semi – final. The date and venue has not been set going into press but as stated it will this weekend. So come on out and give the girls a big support as they defend the title they won so impressively last summer. This is a local derby and on this occasion there are no favourites such is the closeness of the two teams. We all wish Lisa Morgan who has suffered a shoulder injury a speedy recovery with the hope we will see her back in The Town colours very soon.
* The Senior Hurlers played out a very enjoyable and hard fought draw with Carryduff last Monday evening. This tussle went right down to the wire. It would be easy to put our own slant on this game but in truth there was magnificent hurling from both teams who have developed a healthy and respectful rivalry over the past few years. Leading 1-11 to 0-8 at half – time we would have wanted to push on and close the game out. Carryduff saw it differently. That said our performance level dropped a little. A little more composure may have won it for The Town. That said Carryduff did play well in the second half. There were good performances from Mick Keown, Collie McCann, Aidan Caldwell, Fionnbarr Lennon, Ciaran McCartan and Donagh Cairns. The Senior Hurlers next outing will be in the championship against CPN Warrenpoint next Monday night 11 August. Again it will be nice to see a big crowd out supporting the lads.
* Castlewellan’s Under 16 Footballers boys played very well in what was a highly entertaining victory over Mayobridge in The Meadow last Thursday night. Having conceded an early goal against the run of play, The Town lads gathered themselves and pushed ahead scoring some great points to lead 0-11 to 1-5 at half time. The 2nd half started a more even affair with both teams trading scores but the town rallied to go four ahead only to concede a goal in the last minute to put a point between the teams. However it was The Town who had the final say, pointing with the last kick of the game to win 0-20 to 2-12. Best for the town in defence was Ruairi Feenan while midfield duo of Joe Cunningham and the outstanding Ronan Barr covered every blade of grass. In attack Sean Keown and Eoin Travers where a constant threat while man of the match, the fantastic Gareth McKibben terrorised Mayobridge all evening. Scorers Sean Keown 0-4, Shane Kearney 0-1, Brian Brannigan 0-1, Gareth McKibben 0-14
* The Senior Footballers continued their winning ways last Friday Night away to Tullylish. It was won with the narrowest of margins with the lads not playing too well. In the end we were pleased to come away with a victory.
* The Under 12 Hurling Team headed to Portaferry last Thursday night and came away with a draw after scoring 3-16. Credit to both teams for a good game of hurling and special mention this week to Matthew McCabe who scored 1-13 mostly from play. Training continues on Monday with the next match at home to Bredagh on Thursday night. The Under 10 Hurling Blitz was cancelled last Saturday due to the weather but will be rearranged for a later date.
* Thank you to all those Club members who come out last Thursday night and helped to give The Meadow a late spring clean around. All the work done was very much appreciated by our Executive Committee. We did not get around everyone to ask for their help. Don’t worry we will come calling sooner or later. There was a fantastic feeling around the place though the sight of our Chairman let loose with a strimmer was something to behold. We all kept a safe distance away! There was a game going on in the meadow at the time between Mayobridge and Castlewellan’s Under 16 Footballers which was reported on earlier. Both sides served up a real treat. This elongated the evening’s work in a good way with everyone at some stage taking time out to watch what was a great game of football served up by both teams. It was certainly a lively evening. There is still some work to be done. We will allocate another night within the next week to get this done. Please contact Martin McClean on 07712526737 to let him know if you are available to give a hand. Any of you with access to social media please keep an eye there also.
* This week’s tote numbers were 7, 9, 16 & 22. There were no jackpot winners and one £20 winner; Paul Brannigan. Jackpot next week is £7050.
