* The Castlewellan Cul camp will run from Monday July 21st to Friday July 25th. All details can be found about the Cul Camps at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie. You can also register here on line for the camps. The costs are as follows; 1st child attending – £36, 2nd child attending – £31 with all additional Children – £28 each.
* The U10 hurling team attended the latest county blitz in Ballyvarley on Saturday and gave a good account of themselves. Despite the fact that a few players were away the lads battled hard losing against Portaferry and Ballygalget but came out on top in a tight encounter with Bredagh. A good effort by all.
* The U12 hurlers headed to Kilclief on Thursday evening and came up against a determined host team who were 5 points to the good at half time and first to every type of sliotar! However a second half fight back with points from Matthew McCabe and a goal each by Dara Rodgers and Joe O Boyle saw the greens come back to level the game. Míceál óg McVeigh, Morgan Croskery, Ciaran Lowey, Tom O'Neill and Pádraig King excelled in defence while Nathan Garland, Caolam Brannigan and Finn O Neill battled hard up front. No training next week. Next U12 hurling match is at home v Ballyvarley on Thursday 17th.
* Tuesday evening last saw the Under 16 Camogs play host to Warrenpoint at the Bann Road pitch. We had yet another glorious evening for a competitive game. The Under16 side did what they do best – win! The girls were very relaxed and started the game well. As usual the team played to each other’s strengths and supported each other throughout. Warrenpoint did well to score, ensuring that when they had an opportunity to score they did so. Thankfully, the Town girls only gave them the three chances to do so! Final score was 3-11 to 2-1, with a more concentration this score-line would have greater as the second half consisted of too many wides. Great performance once again from a great hardworking, side who were also complimented by the Warrenpoint management.
* Friday night saw the under 14 camogs travel to An Riocht for a Championship game. This side had to be bolstered by a lot of under 12 squad due to holidays. The girls were sadly beaten by a well drilled and hardworking An Riocht team. However, sometimes it isn’t the winning that counts but seeing a side who look out for one another and support each other to the end, is more valuable. The girls will now play in the Shield.
* Thursday night saw neighbours Kilcoo come to the Meadow to take on the Under 16 Ladies footballers. The first half saw the Town being awarded a penalty which they could not convert. This was balanced up by a second half penalty awarded to Kilcoo – who also did not convert. The game saw Castlewellan dominant throughout and the scoreline reflected this, to what was to be a comfortable win.
* The Senior footballers touch were held to a draw in Saval last Friday evening. Leading by four points at half time you felt that chances missed before half time may be rued. And so it was, Saval came out with all guns blazing and real pinned to the Town back. Fair play to the lads who showed great resilience and hung in there. Yes the old cliché – a draw was a fair result. I cannot find this statistic anywhere in our record books so perhaps some of our older and much wiser members who’s knowledge of all things Castlewellan can put me right. This game saw five sets of brothers starting on the first fifteen. I do not believe this has happened before. Now that I’ve said it I will probably be proven wrong! For the record they were; The Gilmore’s (Michael & David), The Crilly’s (Conal & Cahal), The Corrigan’s (Caloam & Conall), The Brogans (Aidan & Caolam) and the McKibben’s (Liam & Donal).
* Tickets are on sale for the final chapter in the Trilogy Mrs Brown Boys in the Social Club. They are also on sale in Walkers Newsagents.
* There will be another order for club gear which will be sent to O’Neill’s in September 2014. There is a stock of club socks and shorts held in the club at present. Please contact Brian O’Neill if you wish to make an order for gear other that what is held in The Club.
* Sport NI are running a number of coaching courses in UUJ in the evenings from Sept 1st to 4th. If anyone is interested in attending please contact John O'Neill on 07711737610.
* There will be no coaching from Under 6 to Under10 from Sat July 12th to Sat July 26th inclusive. Parents should make sure to complete registration forms for their children if they haven't already done so.
* The summer juvenile coaching programme is now available on our website at www.castlewellangac.com.