Castlewellan GAC Notes For 17 September 2017

Pride of place this week goes to our senior camogie team who won their first ever Intermediate Championship at their first ever attempt 4.7 to 1.3 writes Brian McAlinden.

This was an exceptional display by twenty two players from those on the pitch to those girls on the line, some making personal sacrifices by stepping back to allow players to make an impact though they were entitled to play we the management thank youMost of this team have been together since under 12 and winning has been part of their life, ten are dual players with the senior football team and so think of that double commitment hats off to you girls and thanks to Gary senior LGFA manger Jimmy and Noreen appreciate how you have worked with us over the past year

Saturday was a cumulation of hard work, determination and personal sacrifice therefore no team was going to win easily that day. The girls started as they had wanted first point coming after one minute from Sorcha McCartan followed quickly by a goal from  Deborah Crosskery play continued with a lot of pressure from the Town girls with Ciara Gibson and Caitriona Caldwell mounting attack after attack into Longstone’s defence resulting in a ball given to Sorcha McCartan who smashed it to the net this was quickly followed by a point from Deborah Crosskery.

Longstone got a free and pointed that putting themselves on the score board. Castlewellan went down to 14 players following an incident on the far sideline but this only seemed to galvanate the Town girls to tighten as a defence and work harder as a team a goal was conceded to Longstone but that didn’t rattle the Town girls as half time came and they regrouped with a few changes made Anna Rogan came on for the hard working Laoise Keavney and AIsling O Neill for the injured Aisling Hawkins.

The Town girls came out determined to keep ahead and scored a goal from corner forward NIcola McCabe closely followed by a long range point from Aoife Keown who had moved back to midfield and started to put her foot down with her partner Caitriona Caldwell (capt) from midfield, putting balls into Anna Rogan and Deborah Crosskery who were giving the Longstone defence a torrid game.

Aoife followed her point with a long range free Longstone had yet to get past the solid half back defence of Emma Rice, Aisling Connoly and Emma Crockery. These girls stopped every run. Longstone got two points in the second half this should indicate the solidness of this defence team. The Full back line of Amy Barr ,Cara Cunningham and Megan O’Boyle and goalie Louise McCabe had their opponents in their pocket from the throw in

Nicola McCabe added a further point before Deborah Crosskery got a penalty for a pull down in the square the second pull down the first not given by ref, and this was struck to the net by Aoife Keown

At the final whistle there were great celebrations by the many supporters from the Town and parents of our younger camogs. Thank you to everyone who braved the rain to be there and give the girls that 16 woman/man they needed, next up is the Ulster championship, details will follow on this fixture.

 Our Year 6 hurlers travelled to Portaferry this morning to take part in the McGratten Cup, the final hurling blitz of the year. The boys, as they have done all year, performed fantastically eventually losing out in the Quarter Final stage to Ballygalget.

Well done to each and every member of the panel, who have each developed and progressed so much this year. On behalf of your coaches you have been a pleasure to coach all year, and thank you to all the parents whom have provided so much support throughout the year – this is very much appreciated. Our Year 6’s finish the year this Saturday with a ‘Super Football Blitz’ in Carryduff. Training continues this week on Monday and Wednesday night.