* Our Annual General Meeting took place last Thursday in the clubrooms. Thank you to all who attended. Four of our officers stepped down from their roles as Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Games Development Officer having served their full 5 year term. Ronan King, Cillian Keaveney, Francie McAlinden and Miceal Crilly have put in absolute sterling work in their roles and quite often they burned the midnight oil in their respective jobs. On behalf of all the members we would like to thank them for their loyalty & commitment to An Baile. But don’t worry they haven’t gone away. They have all stayed on in other roles on the committee. The new Secretary is Brian Dougherty. Brian O’Neill will take over as our new Treasurer. We wish both of them every success in their new positions.
The following were elected as officers: Chairman, Rory McCabe, Vice Chairman, Kevin Sweeney; Secretary, Brian Dougherty; Treasurer, Brian O’Neill; Assistant Treasurer, Cillian Keaveney; Registrar, Leanne Owens; PRO, Martin McClean; Additional Committee Members Gerry Dougherty, Moira Hawkins, Miceal Crilly, Ollie Doyle, Liam Sloan, Gary Cairns, Paul Connolly, Ronan King, Francie McAlinden, Fintan McGreevy Snr, John O’Neill, Kevan Owens, and Ciaran Brannigan.
* The Annual Mass for Deceased Members took place on Wednesday night past. There was a great turnout. Thank you to Father McKinley and to all who attended.
* Last Friday night saw our Under 21 footballers in action against Drumclone (Annaclone/Drumgath) in their final game in the group stages of the Under 21 Competition. The lads needed to record a fifteen point win in order to qualify for the Shield Competition Semi Finals. They won in the end by twenty points. The Town started in great fashion with a goal in the first minute from Niall McKibben. This was followed quickly by points from Donal McKibben and Conal Corrigan. Drumclone did not let us have it all our own way. They scored a goal in the fourth minute which reminded us it was not going to be one-way traffic. Indeed only for some heroic defending by the Town and a disallowed goal for Drumclone the game may have had a different course. The Town tagged on further score getting a goal from Cahal Keown just before the break sending the Town in nine points up at half-time.The Town continued to tag on points after half time. Cahal Keown hit his second goal of the evening but we still had not stretched our lead far enough as Drumclone continued their tough defending and hard work. It wasn’t until the last seven minutes that we got the scores we required to boost our score difference. Indeed the last goal came on 60 minutes from Donal McKibben who racked up a personal tally of 1-08. Needless to say his work rate on the night was superb. Other scorers; Cahal Keown (2-1) Niall McKibben (1-0), David Gilmore (0-2), Rory Burns, Matthew Stratton and Conal Corrigan (all 0-1 each). Final score castlewellan 4-14 Drumclone 1-03. Our opponents in the semi final will be Downpatrick. The venue has yet to be decided but is likely to be played next Wednesday 7 December.
* 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.
* This Saturday Night will see the semi-final of the F-Factor competition. This is an absolutely fabulous night’s entertainment with club members performing in what is a great laugh and loads of fun. Fintan McGreevy Snr auditioned in front of Louis after the AGM with a version of “Love Me Tender”. He failed miserably though he gave everyone a good laugh. Watch out for the celebrity in one of the acts video to be shown prior to their appearance. It is not Cairnsey to everyone’s relief! The Super Semi Final will take place on Saturday 3rd December in the Club. Come along and support the acts and your club!
* Hurling – please note that the indoor underage hurling will re-commence on Thursday 5 January 2012 in St Malachy’s Primary School. A reminder will be issued nearer that time.
* A reminder that the Club website is now partially up and running. The website address is www.castlewellangac.com. You will be able to access the Weekly Notes under Latest News. This will also enable our members far and wide to access the goings on around the club.