News

Castlewellan GAC

November 8, 2018

* It is always a great honour to playfor your club. When you put your heart and soul and effort in it sooner orlater the County will see this talent and they will come calling. They musthave seen a little extra in Laoise Keaveney. Laoise lined out as captain andcentre half back for Down Under 14 Ladies against Monaghan last Saturday makingher dad, Garrett, a very proud man. Well done to Laoise!

*The Marie Jones play “A Night in November” will be performed this Saturday night20 April at 8.00pm in the Club Rooms. This much acclaimed play has beenperformed all over the world. The play is about Ken McCallister, a dole clerkwho goes to the 1994 World Cup Qualifier on a night in November in Belfast asthe Republic of Ireland plays Northern Ireland. Tickets are on sale from theClub at £10 each.

*The Senior Hurling season started last Monday with the lads away toa much stronger and more physical Newry Shamrocks side in their first gameof the new season. As stated the stronger hosts had too much in the tank forour lads. Castlewellan scores came from: Jason Croskery 0-4, Darren McCartan1-0, Cahal Og Keown and Ray Cunningham 0-1 each.

* Likewise the Senior Footballseason kicked off in earnest last Friday night where the visitors to St Malachy’sPark were Loughinisland. The first game of the season is a tricky affair for allteams. Mistakes in handling, turnovers, misplaced passes, poor passing. Thegame had all that from both teams who went at it hammer and tong. The conditionsdid not help. With the extension of winter into spring all pitches are flat,soggy and lacking growth. It was a question of who could impose their game andmaster the unseasonal conditions. The Town raced into a lead they never lost.With Dan Gordon still missing from the visitor’s line-up they lacked thecutting edge they required if they were to make any inroads into the Town’s defence.The first half belonged to Castlewellan who made the most of their dominantperiod. When the visitors did manage a foothold in the game they could notconvert this into scores. In the second half Loughinisland found their game butfortunately the lads were able to match their scores. Two golden goalopportunities were spurned late on for the Town with Loughinisland finding thenet in injury time.  Next up for the Townis away to County Champions Kilcoo. This is a tough local derby fixture. Theboys know their performance will have to be much better this Friday Nightagainst the Magpies in their backyard.

* Castlewellan’sUnder 16 boys started the campaign with a hard fought victory at home to LiatriomFontenoys in St Malachy’s Park. It was a game that they should have madelighter work off having hit the crossbar 3 times and having squandered numerousother chances but to Liatriom’s credit they hung in and the game was levelgoing into the last 5 minutes. It took two stunning Gareth McKibben free kicksto seal the victory for the town lads 0-12 to 2-4. Best for the town on thenight where Joe Cunningham, Sean O’Boyle and Lee Ward with James McAleenan thepick of the bunch. Last Thursday the lads travelled to Newry Bosco for round 2of the league. They eventually went down 2-6 to 0-9. In terrible conditions thetown lads should really have got something from this game, having the lion’s shareof possession, squandering numerous scoring chances and getting caught with alate goal. A learning curve where they will get better at putting teams away.Best for the town was Ronan Barr, Sean O’Boyle with James McAleenan again thestar performer.

* The under 12 Camogs were at An Riochton Saturday past for their second blitz. The girls had three great wins overAttical, Ballycran and Clonduff. Stick at it girls you are doing really welland a credit to your parents and your coaches. Training will be as usual 6.30pmon Wednesday nights in the primary school.
* JuvenileCoaching begins this week and a full programme will be available on the websiteand through the schools. Thursday April 18th 6.30pm Bann Road P3 – P5 Hurling.Friday April 19th Under 12 Boys Football training 5.00pm at St Malachy’s Park.Saturday April 20th 10.00am – 10.45am St Malachy’s Park Hurling for nursery, P1and P2, Camogie for nursery to P7. Saturday April 20th 10am to 11am U12 boyshurling. Saturday April 20th 10.45am to 11.30am Boys Football for Nursery, P1and P2. Saturday April 20th 10.45am to 11.30am Nursery to P7 girls football. SaturdayApril 20th P5\P6 Hurling Blitz Sunday April 21st U6, U8 and U10 Camogie Blitz.We would welcome all existing and new members to all our coaching sessions.

*There will be under 14 hurling training on Thursday at 6.00pm at the Bann Road,all to attend.

*Under 12 girls training continues in St Malachy’s Primary School on Mondaynights at 6.15pm to 7.15pm. Under 10 and under 8 age groups.

* The under 14footballers will train at the Bann Road on Wednesday night at 6.30pm.