The Under 21 Footballers lost out to Downpatrick in the semi-final of the Under 21 Shield by the narrowest of margins. Downpatrick had forged big leads twice in the game only for The Town to come right back into it again. Missed chances before the final whistle did not help our cause. That said Downpatrick were slightly the better team on the night and won through in the end. Good luck to them in the final.
The Annual Senior Citizens Cross Community Christmas Dinner took place in the club last Thursday night. This was well attended and a great night was provided for our older citizens. It was good to see Mickey, Charlie & Maurice all enjoying their big night out. It’s not too often they are allowed out these days. A special mention must go to Moira Hawkins for all her hard work in organising this event. Thank you to all those who cooked, help set up the hall for the occasion, who worked on the night and cleaned up afterwards. Even Marty the slow dishwasher done his bit! There was a true club spirit in how everyone worked to make this a special night which is one of the most important dates in our calendar.
Another very important occasion the Annual Under-Age presentations took place on Friday Night past. The club was packed with our under-age players and their parents. The Special guests in attendance were our own Kevin Duffin & Karen Gribben the Down Ladies dual Football and Camogie star. Our Chairman Rory McCabe spoke of the importance of continually putting in the good work and always listening to their coaches. He emphasised their important role in our Club and to urge them to fulfil the potential they had. The award winners were; U12 Footballer of the Year – James McAleenan; U12 Most Improved Footballer – Jordan Valentine; U14 Footballer of the year – Sean O’Boyle; U14 Most Improved Footballer – Ryan Lundy; U16 Footballer of the Year – Michael Gilmore; U16 Most Improved Footballer – Ciaran Cleland; U12 Hurler of the Year – Joint winners James Mc Aleenan, Sean Keown and Matthew Muldoon; U14 Hurler of the Year – Sean P Carville; U14 Most Improved Hurler of the Year – Joseph Cunningham; U16 Hurler of the Year – Sean Hardy U16 Hurling Sportsman of the Year – Paul King; U16 Ladies Player of the year –Paidi Hawkins; U16 Ladies Trainer of the year – Saoirse Steele; U14 Ladies Player of the year – Anna Rogan;U14 Ladies Trainer of the year – Joint Winners Aisling Burn & Caitlin Small; U12 Ladies Player of the Year – Bria McKee; U12 Ladies Trainer of the Year – Emma Rice; U16 Camogie: Player of the Year – Aoife Keown; U16 Camogie Trainer of year – Paidi Hawkins; U14 Camogie Player of the year – Anna Rogan; U14 Camogie Trainer of the year – Catriona Caldwell; U12 Camogie Player of the Year – Rebecca Toner; U12 Camogie Trainer of the Year – Aislinn Hawkins. The night was finished off with a competition ‘Green or Black’. A series of videos were filmed where some of our club members went head to head in shooting for points, penalty shoot outs, assault course race and darts. The young members had to guess who won each head to head event. This generated a lot of fun were all the young members there on the night got involved. The jumping to and from black or green before the deadlines provided us all with great entertainment. In the end Michaela Rodgers was our hugely popular winner and went away with a brand new club tracksuit. This was a highly successful and well organised evening. Special mention to Brian Dougherty who burned the midnight oil to prepare and edit the videos. Also thanks to Kevan Owens, Ronan King’ Brian Cunningham and all the video participants, and last but by no means least Noreen Keown who looked after the catering on the night. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the preparation of the event.
Santa Claus finally arrived in the Club on Sunday evening past to rapturous applause from all the Children attending the Christmas Party. Santa has asked me to say they were really well mannered children and they are a credit to their parents. Santa sang with them, danced with them, talked with them and finally provided all the kids there with a little something from his sack. Senan Cunningham was dressed as Santa. When Santa retires in 200 years time there is a new one waiting in the wings. Santa wants to thank Aidan Rodgers & Terry Connolly for all the work they put in to make his visit a real treat for the children. To all his helpers on the day thank you. Santa will see you all on Christmas Eve.
Our Annual Christmas Draw will take place this Sunday with all proceeds in Aid of the Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner. Tickets are £2.00 each or a book of 12 for £20.00.
The third and final draw in our annual draw took place on Saturday Night past. The winners are posted in the Club window, Club website and on our Facebook page. The Executive Committee would like to thank all those who contributed to the draw which has helped boost much needed club funds. In this difficult economic climate we appreciate all the contributions made by you.
Club gear is on sale at the club every evening from 8.30pm. There is a wide variety of gear from small children to adults size. So if you need a stocking filler for Christmas or something bigger then you will find something that suits your needs.
Saturday Night 17 December 2011 – it all comes down to this – The F-Factor Final. There will be a happy hour in the Club from 8.00pm to 10.00pm on the night. Following the semi finals and the harsh criticism from the Judges – they too come in for plenty of vilification. Louis who was in fact axed as a judge this year has said that his former ‘friends’ are only puppets or did he say muppets. He is not quite sure who is pulling their strings but did mention there was a lot of hot air in their pronouncements – he would know! Meanwhile the preparations have been going well. Firm favourites and mammies boys One Division, the only band still in nappies have managed to secure sponsorship from a well known baby food company. They will wear bibs this Saturday night. Blib, blib, blib! Garret ‘it’s all about the music’ who should be in nappies will again perform solo. Voice coaches and publicists have been seen at his house all week. Expect something terrible! Meanwhile the Dung Beatles are still trying to patch up their differences. Decky who states he is the band leader is still sniping at his band mates and their lack of ability. Make-up artists are already appearing at the group’s hotel. Expect something girly from the Mitchell brothers. Speaking of girly Amy and The Winos are angry at their lack of press coverage. Being the only girl band left in the competition they thought they deserved a little more attention. I’m afraid this is as good as it gets! Next act up is Danny C. His Zumba video is selling well….in Caracus. You can download it if you wish from www.useless.cas. Watch out for something special from Cas. Finally The hugely experienced, hugely popular and hugely disappointing group the 3 Jerks and a Squirt still believe they can win this week’s final. They want to thank the two people who voted for them in the semi-final. Hey guys which two of you did not vote? Come along to the F-Factor final this Saturday evening and get a great nights entertainment from all the groups who have put a lot of work and fun into this fantastic night.
*This week’s lotto numbers were 8, 15, 20 & 22. There was no jackpot winner and five £20 winners – John McAleenan, Andy Ritchie, The San Francisco Dougherty children, Mickey McVeigh and Danny Morgan. Jackpot next week £7700.
