* This Sunday see the Club holding our annual Juvenile Sponsored walk at 2pm followed by juvenile sports and Tug of War in St Malachy’s Park writes Martin McClean.
 This is always a great family event and great fun. Hopefully the weather will hold out which makes the day for everyone. Everyone is welcome. Anyone who hasn’t got a sponsorship card please contact your team coach or John O’Neill. Please come weather prepared for the walk. Weather permitting we will have children’s sports and tug of war and all our welcome. We would invite all our senior players from all codes and parents to come along on the day to encourage the children and also to help out.
[caption id="attachment_50012" align="alignleft" width="390"]
The attendees at the first night of You & Me Play Camogie’ Initiative[/caption]
* Having been chosen by the Camogie Association to participate in the ‘You & Me Play Camogie’ Initiative, it began rather successfully at the Bann Road last Wednesday evening. There was a great turn out from parents all keen to pick up on the skills of Camogie. In this way they can help their children develop those skills at home in the back garden, against the wall or up and down the street the old fashioned ways. Development squads are good and must be encouraged but what the young ladies will do in their spare time with their parents or their friends will go a long way to developing their skills as young camogs. The initiative continues this Wednesday night 7.30pm. Parents/Guardians are invited to participate in this programme. We are looking forward to your participation in the programme. Equipment will be provided. For more information contact: Noreen on 0773820 6074.
* Both the under-14 Girls football games with Carryduff and Bredagh games were called off. Training continues as normal on Thursday at 6.30pm at Bann Road. The older under-12 girls interested in playing with the Under-14’s are more than welcome to join in. The more the merrier.
* This week saw Castlewellan Camogs do the double on Clonduff. The under U-16 played on Tuesday night and put on an impressive display of both skill and hard work, beating Clonduff 5-13 to 2-2. While an early throw in on Friday saw the U-14 Camogs play, winning 1-4 to 1-1. This was a hard fought game with little between the two sides, with Castlewellan just tipping the balance. The team was made up of some u12 girls who played really well and showed some great promise. Well done to both teams!
* The Senior Hurlers having been moving along quietly this year in the league. They conceded a late goal to end their unbeaten run against Ballycran last Monday Night. It was nip and tuck the whole way in this game and the boys were paying good hurling moving the ball well and working hard as a team. They took some good scores in the course of the 60 minutes with their efforts being first rate. Good performances from Michael Keown, Collie McCann, Stevo Rodgers, Aidan Caldwell, Fionnbhar Lennon, Jasey Croskery, Shane Smyth and Donagh Cairns.
* The Senior Footballers had a good week this week with two victories in what were two very tricky games with Downpatrick and Liatriom Fontenoys. The Town only lead by two points with 15 minutes to go against Downpatrick but ran out comfortable winners in the end with some of great scores taken. On Friday night we visited our neighbours the Liatriom Fontenoys.
This was a typical local derby with no quarter given or taken. In what was a robust and fair contest Liatriom settled first and raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead early on. The lads responded well but it was nip and tuck with our hosts leading 0-8 to 0-6 at half time. The second half saw the Town up the tempo and take the game to Liatriom. It was a see-saw second half with the large crowd being treated to six goals. Fortunately for us we provided four of them in what was a better second half display.
* So Championship season kicks in two months earlier this year with the first round of matches this Friday Night with The Town up against Ballyholland Harps in Pairc Esler Newry at 8.30pm. The Town shaded it in a tough encounter a couple of weeks ago at our opponent’s venue. There is no reason to suggest this will be any less tough despite our victory then. Our former player now coach of Ballyholland Steven Poacher will no doubt has some tricks up his sleeve. So if you want to start your weekend off with some excitement then Friday Nights second game in a Senior Football Championship bill should wet your appetite. Come along and support the lads!
* Hurling training for P3 up to Year 8 continues from 6.00pm to 7.00pm each Monday in St Malachy’s Park.
* The Juvenile Coaching Programme Spring/Summer Schedule 2014 is now on the notes column on our website at  www.castlewellangac.com
* Outdoor juvenile coaching programme will continue in St Malachy’s Park every Saturday. Please bring both indoor and outdoor shoes as coaching will be inside if it rains. All new and existing members are welcome.10.00am – 10.45am St Malachy’s Park – Nursery, P1 and P2 Hurling and Camogie, P3 – P7 Camogie. 10.45am – 11.30am St Malachy’s Park – Nursery, P1 and P2 Boys Football & Girls Football and P3 to P7 Girls football. All parents are welcome and are encouraged to get involved. There will be tea and coffee in the club from 10.00am to 11.30am on the Saturday mornings.
* For all club members who are unemployed at 30 June 2014. The Ulster GAA is providing an opportunity to bridge the gap for the unemployed. The scheme is designed to enhance employability skills by developing them further through sports coaching. Essential employability skills such as communication time management interpersonal skills organisation and planning skills leadership and managing conflict skills will be developed through the programme. In addition boards coaching awards will be offered free of charge to the unemployed.
The Unemployed club Volunteer/Graduate Scheme will take place in St Mary’s University College Belfast from Monday 30 June to Friday 11 July 2014. Anyone interested in availing of this fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability skills please contact  stephen.beattie.ulster@gaa.ie” stephen.beattie.ulster@gaa.ie
or shane.mccann@ulster@gaa.ie
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