Castlewellan GAC

* This Sunday the Town Ladies take on the former Ulster Champions Termon from Donegal in the semi-final of the Ulster Senior Club Championship at 2.00pm in St Malachy’s Park. Termon brushed aside the challenge of Fermanagh Champions Newtownbutler running up a huge 10-10 to 1-2 win. The former Ulster Champions have sent out a strong message so Liam, Martin and Geraldine and the panel will know exactly what they are up against. The ladies have been working away building up to the game. They will have left no stone unturned in their bit for success in Ulster. The whole Town will be routing for the girls. This is a great opportunity for the Town to turn out and give their support. They have built on their success over the past two years and forged even further this year. Let us give them the 16^th woman advantage with our support. The whole panel has work extremely hard. This isn’t a 15 or 20 player team. It is the full committed panel who deserve our support. Good luck to our ladies this weekend!

* Well as expected and predicted just like the Ryder Cup where Europe see off USA every time the competition is played, the Vets saw off their illustrious young opponents in the Annual Hurling Challenge for “The Boot”. Their incisiveness was as sharp as Bartley Finnegan’s Butchers knives. Having been out on his bike on Saturday on Saturday with his fellow Hurler/MAMIL Mal McKay, the Veterans ‘Veteran’ Martin Keown patrolled the line like a young Brian Cody with his baseball cap covering those sharp radar eyes awaiting his entry onto the field of play. Yes the Don of the Vets with all his year’s experience was completing his CycleHurlathlon on Saturday and was bursting to enter the fray. Young Jasey played his first and last game in the back line for the Young Uns. Jarvis nodded with some satisfaction knowing that not letting the young pretender become a defender was the right decision all season. Meanwhile Gerard King fresh from conquering another mountain and taking in a few red routes on the mountain bike trails in the park, displayed an array of skills that are much missed on the field. Memo to all young players – you cannot sandwich this man – do not even try. Did you not read the warning he pin on his back –this is a restricted zone – do not approach! Thankfully medical attention was not needed for the two brave young warriors who tried to conquer this man. The stars they saw were real as nightfall is now earlier. There was one notable scalp for the young uns. Mal you were out-marked and outshone by your son – just saying, I have to be fair to the young lads there were some good performances. A special word of praise for our young referee who showed absolutely no bias. You would have expected him to lean heavily in favour of the Young Un’s – he didn’t! It may have something to do with the oul lads saying what a great fella he was all week and the pizza they were feeding him in the Club afterwards. Gonzo who has recently returned from a coast to coast trip of the states appeared to have brought some American football refereeing skills back with him. After the ball was thrown in young Cahal Keown was fouled. Gonzo blew his whistle and declared “1^st down in 10” I had to ask Brian Dougherty what that meant – I still don’t know! Well done to all the lads who took part in the game. It is an annual end of year fixture among the hurlers and it is a good natured – great fun game to finish the year off for the Hurlers. Thanks lads for the great entertainment. Everyone who played enjoyed the evening thoroughly – except the Young Un’s of course.

* The Under 12 hurling team finished of their season with a big win against Ballyvarley at the Bann Road on Friday night. The boys performed really well with point taking a feature of their play. Well done lads. Hard luck to the Liatriom Fontenoys and the Town lads Joe, Matthew and James who lost by three points to Carryduff in the u16A hurling final on Saturday. 

* Slimming World at Castlewellan GAC on Tuesday from 5.30pm and 7.30pm and Wednesday at 9.30am. Any queries contact Lorna 07531595280

* There will be a winter coaching programme commencing on Wednesday Nov 5^th for all boys and girls from P1 to P7 in St Malachy’s High School and it will run for 6 Wednesdays up to and including Wednesday Dec 10^th. Keep an eye out closer to the then for exact times.