* The U12 Hurlers played two matches over the last week losing out against Carryduff in a high scoring match 4-12 to 5-06 best for the Town were Cillian McCay and Eoin Maginn at midfield. Eoin King and Lorcan Cairns were strong in defence while Matthew Mc Cabe caused problems for the Carryduff defence the whole game. Darragh Fitzpatrick add two goals to the Town tally. Time ran out for the Town lads with Carryduff winning by three points, Darragh McVeigh was the best player on the Town team in what was a good all round performance. The Town boys played their first match under the lights at the Dublin road on Thursday night in very wet and windy conditions in front of the biggest crowd of the year against an in-form Ballyvarley outfit. In a very close first half the Town adapted to the conditions better than Ballyvarley and went into a six point lead at the break Playing against the strong breeze the Town extended their lead with some excellent scores, Best for the Town in defence were Lorcan Cairns, Joe O Boyle and Shea King. Eoin Maginn clipped over six points with an excellent display around the middle of the park. Eoin King and the impressive Darragh McVeigh were also on top form. Matthew McCabe was the pick of the forwards taking and setting up scores all night as the Town ran out deserving winners. Only one match remaining away to Clonduff this Thursday night.
* Castlewellan’s youngest hurlers made the trip across the water on Saturday morning and took part in a mini blitz against the hosts, Portaferry, Ballycran and Bredagh. Over 40 young hurlers gave a great account of themselves at Under 6, Under 8 and Under 10. Level. All players were a credit to their club and their families. Many thanks to all the parents who turned out in great numbers to support our young players. Thankfully nobody missed the boat!
* Castlewellan GAC are bringing the play “The Pitch” by Shane Connaughton to our Clubrooms on Saturday 20 October. Shane is an Irish writer and actor and is probably best known as co-writer of the Academy Award-nominated screenplay for My Left Foot. He also co-wrote the screenplays for the Academy Award-winning 1980 short film The Dollar Bottom. This is a new initiative by the club breaking new ground into the arts and how appropriate it is it is a play about one of our Gaelic Games. The play centre’s on the main character Philly who lived and played for his team, the jersey, the parish, his friends and the very pitch his enemies are now trying to take from him to turn into a housing estate. Tormented by painful memories and the unjust fate that holds him prisoner, he replays the events of that day when his club won the county championship for the one and only time and he wasn’t allowed to play. For him, the old pitch is sacred ground, and it is here that he will make his last stand. We will bring more details of the play as the date approaches.
* A reminder to you all that the tickets for Castlewellan’s Lets Dance will go on sale next Sunday Night from 9.00pm.There will be two semi-finals and a final. Three dance couples will go through from each heat. The semi finals will be on 24 November and 1 December with the final penned in for 15 December. Tickets are £10 each for the semi-final Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis.
* Saturday saw a double heartbreak for our Under 14 Ladies Footballers and the Minor Footballers. The Under 14 Ladies lost out by one point after extra time in a titanic struggle to near neighbours and rivals Bryansford in the Championship Final in Ballykinlar. The girls put up a fantastic display but lost out in the end. The team management stated that they could not have asked anymore of the girls who have put in so much this year. they were simply fantastic. Losing in such a way is always tough but they will learn from it well done to the girls. The cruel twist of fate served its hand again in Kilcoo when the Minors were beaten by the one point margin by Burren in the MFC semi final. This was always going to be an immense struggle between two teams hungry to reach the final. The game ebbed and flowed. Burren struck early in the 6th minute with a goal which rocked the Town. The lads composed themselves and drawn level again by the 21st minute Rory Burns clipped over a point. Burren responded with two quick points on 26 and 28 minutes before Sean Dornan’s score on half time left the only a point in it. The Town started the second period with Martin Brannigan hitting a town goal on 34 minutes. Further frees from Conal Corrigan and Conal Crilly put The Town four points up and in the driving seat. The Town did not capitalise on this lead and Burren weathered the storm. They came roaring back with another goal to draw themselves level. The last11 minutes the lead changed hands on a few occasions with Sean Dornan landing another mighty 50 yard free. When martin Brannigan and Paddy Gallagher landed points it put the Town one up with two minutes remaining. Burren levelled a minute later then in time added on their free taker held his nerve to slot over a fantastic free. Game over. The dejected faces told it’s own story. The lads had given it a mighty effort but it was not to be. It is a tough way to lose particularly in the semi-final. Thank you both the under 14 Girls and the minors for their great efforts on Saturday. I know it is no consolation for them but they did our Club proud.
* The Tote Numbers for 23 September were 04, 11, 15 & 25. There were no jackpot winners and six £20 winners. They were; Emily McAlinden, Breige McArdle, Gavin Connolly, Danny Morgan, P J Mullen & Martin McCabe. Jackpot next week is £2200.
