By Andrew Magorrian

* A Riocht Senior Footballers travelled to Clann Na Banna on Friday evening for their opening fixture of their Division Two campaign, and got off the perfect start winning with 5 points to spare in dreadful conditions. A Chris Killen free kick put the visitors in front and John Clarke soon added a fine second. A Banbridge goal chance was diverted for a fifty which Michael McAlister stroked over with ease to register the home side's first score, and one minute later Liam McGarry drew the teams level. Chris Killen was in fine form from the dead ball and added two more long range frees, but Patrick Gillen and Michael Kennedy level again, before Ronan McAlinden steadied himself to edge An Riocht 5-4 in front at the half time whistle. Banbridge started a lively second half the better with a great point from Michael Kennedy. An Riocht were slow out of the traps and it took them a few minutes to get started but once they did, John Clarke was on hand to stick over a sensational effort. Padraig Bradley drew this tight encounter level once more before a real moment of magic, Sean Clarke picking the ball up in his own half back line and after evading a few tackles and a few give and goes, pointed brilliantly from an acute angle, further enhancing his claim for a half back bearth. From the resulting kick out, the home side picked up a breaking ball and broke too quick for the An Riocht defence to react, the end result being Liam McGarry finishing well to the An Riocht net. If ever An Riocht needed a wake up call, that was it, and after Padraig Bradley pointed again, the visitors came alive! Chris Killen added 2 more points, one from another precise free kick, and after some great work again through Sean Clarke, a high ball was launched into the square and that man Chris Killen rose highest to fist to the net. Declan Doyle and Brian Donnaghy traded scores coming into the last five minutes, but An Riocht then turned the screw with points from Conor Doyle, Chris Killen and finally Declan Doyle to ensure An Riocht season started with a very hard fought win. Final Score: An Riocht 1-13 Banbridge1-08. An Riocht had strong performances from debutant goalkeeper Brendan Allen, while Deaglan O'Rielly excelled at full back. Sean Clarke proved a eager runner and Liam McVeigh played very hard a won every that came to him, while up front Chris Killen was an assassin in front of the sticks and ended with a personal tally of 1-06
An Riocht team: Brendan Allen, Paul Sherry, Deaglan O'Reilly, Sean Clarke, Michael Trainor, Liam McVeigh, Conor Doyle, Paul Murney, Declan Doyle, Rory Cunningham, Chris Killen, Darren White, James O'Reilly, John Clarke, Ronan McAlinden Subs: Gavin Finnegan, Ryan White, Michael Clarke, Aidan O'Hanlon, Kieran McVeigh, Conor Cole

* The Minor Footballers beat Bredagh 0-14 to 0-11 in the first game of the league. Ahead four nil An Riocht were handed a reality check by the adventurous visitors who went in two points to the good, 0-7 to 0-5, at the break. Bredagh packed the midfield and attacked from every angle causing An Riocht plenty of problems, drawing fouls and forcing a good save from Steven Doran. An Riocht were too slow delivering the ball forward and struggled for scores after their initial flurry. A good start to the second half restored An Riocht's lead and they were able to keep a couple of scores to the good though were not entirely convincing.
Team S Doran, M Higgins, J O'Rourke, J Sands, B Rodgers, K Sloan, K Higgins, JP Farrell, D Doyle 0-3, R Spiers 0-2, R McAlinden 0-5, C Cunningham 0-1, C McConville 0-1, J Reilly 0-2, D Campbell. Subs P Doyle, A White, K Colgan, N McComiskey, M O'Rourke.
Then on Sunday morning, they travelled to St Pauls Hollywood, suffering their first league defeat of the year to a scoreline of 2-08 to 1-09.


* The Under 16 Footballers travelled to Warrenpoint on Thursday past for their second league game of the season, and that age old cliché proved, goals win games! Michael O'Rourke started the scoring before Aron Darcy and Stephen Flood traded points just before Darcy netted for the visitors. Shane Fitzpatrick pointed well for the home team before Ben Rafferty netted from distance. Sean Gallagher then replied for the visitors with a well taken point just before a cracking point from Nathan McComiskey and a free kick from Michael O'Rourke kept An Riocht in front. Antoin Magill levelled things up before Stephen Flood found the net with a smart finish. Caolan McAteer (0-02) & Aron Darcy brought the game level once more, but quick fire points from John-Paul Farrell, Deaglan Morgan & Darragh Campbell (FK) and goals from Ronan White and again from Stephen Flood put An Riocht nine clear just before Caolan McAteer netted for the 'Point as the half time whistle sounded. The second half proved to be a tough task for An Riocht as the 'Point dominated from An Riocht mistakes. Slack passing and wayward shooting provided the host with the opportunity to claw back from six down as they scored 1-7 without reply, with the impressive Aron Darcy netting the goal. A Riocht sprung to life after this and a commanding run from skipper Nathan McComiskey was finished off with a cracking finish to the 'Point net. John Paul Farrell's pointed effort caught the 'Point keeper by surprise as it looped into the net for a sixth An Riocht goal, followed by a Darragh Campbell point. Six points in it with three minutes remaining and Ruairi Mc Givern hit a quick 1-02 the put the visitors under pressure but they held on for an impressive win. A Riocht 6-08 Warrenpoint 4-12. Best for An Riocht were Aidan Sloan and Conor Clarke in defence, while up front Deaglan Morgan & Jack Walker tried tirelessly, and Ronan White again done the simple things right.
An Riocht Team: Steven Doran, Liam Rodgers, Aidan Sloan, Joe McCulla, Ben Rafferty, Nathan McComiskey, Conor Clarke, John Paul Farrell, Kory Colgan, Deaglan Morgan, Jack Walker, Ronan White, Stephen Flood, Michael, O'Rourke, Darragh Campbell. Subs: Andrew Harper, Aaron Eastwood

* Two lucky U12 Footballers, Ronan Campbell and Conal Baldwin, visited Croke Park on Wednesday of last week and took part in mini games on the famous pitch.

* The U10 Footballers took part in a South Down Blitz on Saturday and played excellent the whole way through, playing matches against Glenn, Bosco, Saval & Rostrevor. The players were: William-John Harper, Darragh Baldwin, Eoin Killen, Jack Rodgers, Ryan Mackie, Curtis & Reece Flanagan, Shane & Ryan Quinn, Ross Colgan, Michael Grennan, Jerry-Lee McVeigh, Aaron Gribben and Nanette Campbell. Well done to every player on the team.

* The Senior Camogs visited Clonduff on Thursday past winning away 4-12 to 1-2 in a thrilling encounter. After a slow start An Riocht led 2-4 to 1-2 at the break then improved their game and added 2-8 without reply in the second half. There were excellent performances from Maria Higgins, Aine O'Reilly, Sophie Colgan and Alana Poland.

* At the U12 Camogie Blitz in Ballyholland on the girls played 4 games, winning two and losing two. They played hard in each game and never gave up till the final whistle.




*An Riocht U14 Camogs played at home to Mayobridge and dominated throughout winning 12-06 to 2-02; it was a good game with Mayobridge showing potential as a new camogie club. An Riocht had great performances from Sinead O'Rourke, Lauren Clarke, Nicole Farrell, Tiarna Donnan, Megan Hughes, Patrice Matthews and Kirsti Cunningham.
Team: Beth Colgan, Caoimhe McAlinden, Megan Hughes, Kirsti Cunningham, Lauren Clarke (4-1), Sinead O'Rourke (3-3), Tiarna Donnan (2-2), Patrice Matthews, Nicole Farrell (3-0). All the subs got a half, they were Andrea O'Neill, Caitlin Quinn, Ciarrai Connors, Claire Fearon, Kerry Murnion, Caomihe-Leigh Spiers.

*An Riocht U16 Camogs travelled to Mayobridge/ Aghaderg in their second match of the league. Played in good conditions at 11- a-side the home side took an early lead but this seem to galvanise An Riocht response and our girls pushed on and ran out convincing winners by the finish on a score line of 13-04 to 2-0. An Riocht's next match is a home game against Ben Dearg on the 24th April. Everybody had an outstanding game with the scores coming from Aine Fearon (2-0) Sarah Rodgers (4-0) Lauren Clarke (2-3) Sinead O'Rourke (5-1). Thank-you to all the parents who gave lifts in support of the team.

* On Saturday past, the club went 'GaGa', literally, as Debbie Bradley brought her magnificent tribute to the weird and wacky 'Lady GaGa' to the club. Thanks to all who attended, the bouncers, the bar men, and to those who helped with the set-up / cleanup. Your help is greatly appreciated.

* A bus of twenty-something club members travelled to Croke Park to watch All-Star Brendan McVeigh in action for Down in the Division One Semi Final defeat to Cork, commiserations to Brendan and the rest of the Down team.

* An Riocht Slieve Donard Challenge registration night Wednesday night between 730pm and 830pm. Registration is £5 and will include BBQ and Drink on dissent down the mountain. Trek is on Sunday May 6th.

* It is the objective of the GAA Social Initiative to provide older men with a social outlet that will facilitate their full engagement in community life. You do not have to have played Gaelic Games to participate in the GAA Social Initiative.
An Riocht Social Initiative in conjunction with Ulster Cancer Foundation Man Alive project has been hosting Saturday morning get fit sessions with a personal trainer at 9.30am in the Kingdom Community Gym at Dunavil.
This Saturday, 21st April, the programme will be enhanced by the provision of a healthy breakfast for all participants and for anyone else in the target age group who may want to drop in and find out more about Social Initiative activities; for more information contact Tom Cunningham or An Riocht Club.

* Children should be getting at least 60 minutes physical activity each day. However, with the childhood obesity rate at 19%, it is clear many children don't get enough daily exercise; make sure your kids are healthy by encouraging them to get more exercise. Disguising exercise as games & fun activities can entice kids to get moving. Organized team sports are an ideal way to help your child become more involved, get more exercise, make new friends & increase confidence all at once. Daily practices, drills & weekly games help to keep them active & give them the exercise they need.
An Riocht Gaelic Games Nursery can meet these requirements every Saturday from 10am to 11am for U6 children & from 11am to 12pm for U8 children with qualified coaches specifically trained in the establishment of fundamental movement as part of the development of physical literacy & health. Depending on the weather activities will take place indoor or outside so bring appropriate footwear.





Wednesday 18th April
6pm U14 Gaelic; 630pm U8 & U10 Camogie; 7pm Seconds Football in Castlewellan; 7.30pm Development Committee meeting; 730pm Senior Camogie; 8.30pm Camogie Committee meeting.

Thursday 19th April
7pm U16 Football Bryansford v An Riocht; 7pm U10 & U12 Gaelic; 7pm U14 & U16 Camogie.

Friday 20th April
630pm Senior Camogie; 7pm Senior Football An Riocht v Kilclief.

Saturday 21st April
9.45am GAA Social Initiative Man Alive Keep Fit project; 10am U6 Indoor Gaelic; 11am U8 Indoor Gaelic; 130pm U12 Camogie; U14 Camogie Down Feile in Castlewellan; Ladies Football at Dunavil Ballymartin v Shamrocks.



Sunday 22nd April
10.30am U12 Football Blitz at Dunavil; 11.30am U18 Gaelic; 2pm Seconds Football An Riocht v Mayobridge; 8pm Bingo

Monday 23rd April
7pm Senior Camogie Portaferry v An Riocht; 7pm U14 Football Banbridge v An Riocht; 7pm U16 Gaelic; 9pm Lotto

Tuesday 24th April
7pm U16 Camogie An Riocht v Ben Dearg; 7pm U18 Football Bryansford v An Riocht. Tweet

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