* “If you never lose you will never appreciate victories”. This is just one of many one-liners you will find if you look for sporting quotes on success and failure in sport. On Sunday last the under 16 Camogs were well beaten by the Liatriom Fontenoys in the Championship Final in Clonduff. Any of us who were at the match will appreciate the effort the girls put in right up to the very end. This was indicative of the efforts they put in all year. Their disappointment was plain to see as they knew they did not do themselves justice. Though they were disappointed they are to be congratulated for the sportsmanship they showed towards Liatriom. It is not always easy for a captain of a losing team to make a speech in defeat congratulating Liatriom, thanking the officials and Clonduff for their facilities. Captain Aoife Keown did just that. Well done to Liatriom. This defeat will spur on the girls to obtain future success.
* This Sunday sees the second annual juvenile sponsored walk (Under 6 to Under 18) which will start from the Club at 1pm. We would ask all parents to ensure that their children have adequate clothing in case the weather turns out to be wet. We would also ask as many parents as possible to take part. Proceeds will go towards club funds and a nominated charity. Please ensure you get your sponsorship card from the team coach if you do not already have one.
* It’s not unusual to hear music in the club any night over the weekend. It’s not even unusual to hear members attempting to sing! A new string was added to this bow, Dance! Yes dance. You will all remember the film the Full Monty were the guys were shuffling their dance moves while standing in the dole queue. On Saturday night past some of the older male members were singing and shuffling at the bar in eager anticipation for this Autumn’s Castlewellan GACs “Castlewellan Come Dance”. Yes folks dance fever has reached these shores. There will be a launch night for the competition in the Club Rooms this Saturday Night starting at 10.00pm. All the dancers will be present along with the professional dancers who will mentor them through the competition. The professional dancers will also give a display for what the competitors will aspire to. This should be a great night. So come along and enjoy the fun.
* Congratulations to the Under 12 Girls footballers who won the RGU Downpatrick Tournament at the weekend. They beat Bryansford in the final. This was an absolutely brilliant result for the girls who have worked so hard all season. In the end it was great for them to get the success they deserved. Well done girls
* The under 12 Hurlers played their fourth match in the last few weeks winning two and losing two by small margins. The trip to Warrenpoint on Thursday night last was made worthwhile as the team produced their best performance of the year. The Town lads began at a fast pace and were able to sustain this throughout the match with some excellent team play and scores from many different players. Conor Robb was outstanding in goal making the save of the season in the last minute of the game to ensure the win. Morgan Croskery and Lorcan Cairns were very solid in defence. Shea King and Fiachra Doyle covered a lot of ground and made some important clearances. Daniel Cunningham got the best score of the match with a long range strike late on to put the Town back in the lead with five minutes left on the clock. The two Eoins and Calum McCabe were flying around the middle of the park and all the forwards played their part in a very slick attack. Miceal McVeigh and Darragh Fitzpatrick had goals apiece. Matthew Mc Cabe knocked over a couple of great points. The best for the Town on the night was Darragh McVeigh who played with great passion and drive all over the pitch. The season is coming to an end with only two games left.
* The Senior Footballers qualified for the quarter finals of Senior Championship last Saturday afternoon with a resounding 3-13 to 1-8 victory over RGU Downpatrick. The early exchanges suggested that pre match favourites RGU would justify that unwanted tag. Within seven minutes they were 0-4 to 0-1 up with the Town’s solitary score coming from Aidan Burns. When The Town starting to get to grips with the midfield sector they soon got themselves back in the game. On the 15th minute Daniel Morgan raced through to slot over the equalising score to leave it 0-5 each. Shortly after this Sean Russell slotted a point to put the Town into the lead. RGU drew level twice before points from Fintan McGreevy and Paddy Boyle scores sent us in 0-9 to 0-7 up at the break. The second half did not start too promising with The Town hitting three wides. In the 35th minute a turning point for The Town. The referee rightly judged a shove in the back of Aidan Burns and awarded a penalty which was converted by Kevin Duffin. Suddenly there was a five point gap. The Town by this stage were totally dominated proceedings. A goal brings confidence. Soon a point by Aidan Burns followed by a three pointer from him also ended the game as a contest. Downpatrick did rally briefly following two points by Liam McKibben. RGU scored a goal followed by a point. However Kevin Duffin converted his third goal on 51 minutes. A very satisfying result for The Town who will now go on to the Quarter finals which will be played in the next couple of weeks.
* The Senior Hurlers travelled to Dublin at the weekend for the All-Ireland Junior Sevens competition as the Feis winners. They lost out in the Shield Quarter finals to St Sylvester’s of Dublin. They had earlier beaten Clonduff but lost out to Blackrock and Portumna from Galway by one point. A great weekend was had by all. Those in the party who had tickets for the Galway v Kilkenny Hurling final were not to be disappointed and it rounded off what was a great weekend.
