* Europe’s Ryder Cup Team’s fantastic performance of “The Miracle At Medinah” was certainly a highlight of the weekend. It doesn’t quite make up for The Town’s defeat in the Senior Football Championship in a feisty battle against Kilcoo and the Under 16 Camogs losing out to Liatriom Fontenoys in the County League Final. In the Senior Football Championship The Town had started in whirlwind style knocking over three points in the first five minutes courtesy of two free from Finty McGreevy and one from play from David Gilmore. Kilcoo replied on nine minutes shortly after one of their players received a straight red card. At this point The Town were in the driving seat playing attractive football and winning midfield. The defence had contained a good Kilcoo attack line while continuing to knock over scores. The Town had tagged on four points from Collie Flanagan and Finty McGreevy with Kilcoo just about hanging on. Further points from David Gilmore who so nearly converted a goaling chance and Daniel Morgan left the Town leading by six points at half time. If The Town dominated the first half then it was a reversal of fortunes in the second half. It was a mirror image of events Kilcoo had hit five points without reply in the first ten minutes of the second half. On thirty six minutes Castlewellan had lost their numerical advantage with the sending off of Collie Flanagan. Kilcoo had been coming back before this. They now got to grips with midfield and were picking up the breaking ball. On 42 minutes Finty McGreevy stretched our lead again to two points. Kilcoo came back again knocking over three points without reply and taking the lead for the first time in the game. Liam McKibben split the posts to draw level on fifty-three minutes. This was the last score for The Town. Despite battling hard Kilcoo pushed on tagging on three more points to close out the game. Going out of the Championship is always a big disappointment for players, mentors, managers and supporters. The lads have worked hard in their first year back in Division One and have given us some good days out and we thank them for that. With just one league game left the season for our senior team is now virtually rapped up.
* Castlewellan GAC Executive Committee and members wish Gavin Corrigan all the best when he referees the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Final between Munster Rivals Cork and Kerry. Having refereed last years Ladies Intermediate Final he will have experience of the big day. He will be accompanied by his father Paddy and John Ward. With his vast experience of refereeing various Down and Ulster Championship finals along with last years final the big stage will be no stranger to Gavin, however it is a fantastic honour to referee such a big game. He is of course emulating the Great referee Pat Rooney whom Gavin and Castlewellan GAC hold in high esteem. Pat refereed the All Ireland Minor Football Final of 1961. No doubt Gavin will enjoy the experience and he will represent his Family, Club and County with pride. Good luck to you for your big day.
* The Under 16 Camogs put up an admiral fight against Liatriom Fontenoys in the Leaguer Final on Saturday. This was a repeat of the Championship final a few weeks ago. Whilst our neighbours won well in the end it was a much improved performance from the girls who gave it their all. To get to two major finals this year is an achievement in itself. The positives for this squad is that most of them are still in this age group next year so a year older, a year’s more skill built up, a year wiser and hopefully stronger. They will fight another day. Thank you for all your hard work.
* The under 16 Ladies footballers won their championship semi-final against Bredagh on Sunday past. The girls played ok and will now face Burren in the final. They had accounted for our near rivals Bryansford on their way to the decider. This in itself means that they will be tough opponents and a difficult nut to crack. Well done to the girls. The date for the final is not yet known.
* The under 12 boys drew with Kilcoo on Sunday in the Championship. They were staring defeat in the face and came back to draw level. This was an excellent performance from the lads who have worked hard for Mickey and Conor this year. Well done lads you deserve all the credit for this performance.
* To mark the end of our Saturday morning juvenile training sessions a tea/coffee morning will take place in Castlewellan GAC Social Club next Saturday 06th October 2012 from 10.00am – 12.00pm. The proceeds of any money raised from the event will go to Cancer Research. Please come along and support the event and the very worthy charity.
* Thank you to everyone whom attended the recent Club Sponsored Walk. If anyone has not returned there sponsored walk cards please do so by leaving your card and returns in a sealed envelope behind the bar in the social club marked Sponsored Walk.
* Outdoor juvenile training concludes this week. The final Tueday afternoon football session will take place in the Bann Road on Tuesday evening from 6.15 – 7.15. There will be no hurling training on Thursday evening. The final outdoor training session for 2012 takes place at St Malachy’s Park on Saturday morning beginning with hurling from 10am – 11am followed by football from 11am – 12pm.
* All the juvenile coaches would like to thank parents for their support throughout the year. In the coming weeks we hope will be announcing details of our indoor training session.
* On Saturday our young hurlers attended a blitz in Warrenpoint. The boys competed against teams not only from Down but also some of the best teams in Antrim and Armagh. Our boys performed fantastically and were a credit to the club – well done boys. Great to see all the effort you have all put in this year in training being rewarded.
* A reminder that we 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. 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. Tickets are on sale in the club at £10.
* The Clothes Collection is still on-going. Please donate any clothing items you do not require to this! Please leave all bags of clothes with Noreen Keown.
* The Tote Numbers for 30 September were 04, 08, 22 & 26. There were no jackpot winners and one £20 winner Patricia Toner Jackpot next week is £2250.
