Football: The seniors, wearing the blue rig of Tir na nOg to avoid a colour clash, lost their top of the table league fixture against Craigbane at the Broagh on Friday past on a final score line of 2-11 to 1-18. Showing three changes from the previous game with Ciaran Lavery, Ruari Shivers and Martin O'Kane returning to replace Tony Gallagher, Aidan McElhone and Colm Lavery this game was lost in a ten minute blitz at the beginning of the second period when the visitors surged nine points ahead without reply. The first half ended 0-09 to 1-06 with Castledawson coming back from three points in arrears on two occasions and it was anyone's game going into the break. Aidy Bradley settled in well to his new role at centre half back and in a couple of surging runs forwards knocked over a couple of fine points. Craigbane's tremendous start to the second half when everything they kicked from whatever distant and angel turned into a score was devastating but the players, when they awoke from their slumber and got to grips with the situation amounted a sterling come back to almost clinch a result. Ruarie Shivers, still not back to full fitness, charged forward took the return pass and finished to the net; Martin Heaney, outstanding throughout, upended in the square, penalty Aidy Bradley takes responsibility in the absence of regular Dara Shivers and hits a smasher just under the cross bar, the visitors were on the back foot game on. Kieran O'Kane and Conor Scullion got in on the act with a couple of points but slack marking allowed Craigbane through for a couple of similar and all too soon the final whistle blew, game over but what excitement going into the final few minutes.
Some outstanding performances on the night Martin Heaney, Neil O'Kane, Connor Scullion and Paddy Henry caught the eye but the supporter's man of the match this time goes to Aidy Bradley.
Team & Scorers: Team: Neil O'Kane, Ciaran lavery, Martin O'Kane, Ronan O'kane, Micky Hicks, Aidy Bradley (1-02), Ronan Shivers, Declan Lavery, Niall McNicholl (0-01), Ordhan Mullan, Ciaran O'Kane (0-01), Paddy Henry (0-02), Ruari Shivers (1-00), Connor Scullion (0-04), and Martin Heaney (0-01). Subs: Danny Devlin (Micky), Joe O'Kane (Declan), Tony Gallagher (Ronan), Aidan McElhone (Ordhan).
Now fourth in the league and out of the running for the play-offs at this stage but wins in the two remaining matches and if either Greenlough or Craigbane should slip up then we're back in the hunt. All focus now for the team and management and supporters is the championship first round against Ogra Colmcille on Thursday 31st at Ballymaguigan, further update next week.
Congratulations to our U10 footballers who won the Derrylaughan tournament today Saturday 19th July. Well done to the players and managers Sean Bradley and Cathal O'Kane and a special mention to John Connery who was player of the tournament
The U-14 footballers travel to Ballymaguigan this Tuesday evening for their championship game, good luck to players and management from all at the club we look forward to a good result.
The Gaelic Start programme for boys and girls in P1 and P2 returns to the pavilion this Friday (25th) at 6pm, all children from the community that fall within this age category will be made very welcome no matter where they attend primary school.
Lotto: All on the Lottery Committee wish fellow member Terrance Gribbin a speedy recovery after his operation! Numbers drawn in the weekly draw on Monday 14th July were 9, 14, 18 & 21. As there was no winner of the big money this week, the Lucky Dips went to Caroline & Brenda c/o Tom O'Kane and Seamus Keenan. Jackpot next week is a fantastic £2200! The weekly Lotto is the fundraising lifeblood of the club - members can support it by making a regular weekly contribution or consider becoming a seller and enlist the support of family and friends. Interested in getting involved then check with co-ordinator Brendan Keenan or any member of the committee for details.
Annual Duck Race organised by St. Malachy's as a fund raising event on Wednesday evening (July 23rd) at 6:45pm, meeting up at Moyola Bridge. Ducks can still be bought, cheap at 10 - contact Kathy or any member of the Camogie or Executive committee for further information.
Limited Tee times now left for the Golf Day on Friday 15th August run by St. Malachy's as a fund raising event. Please contact Paul Gribben (07921 253293), Stephen Doyle (07595 912911) Colin Reid (07786 343373) or Seamus Gribben (07801 014018) to book your time. If you can't make it on the day or golf is not your game, then perhaps you may consider sponsoring a hole (£100). Support your club in this fund raising event!
Awareness: To managers and coaches when leaving the pitches after training please close all gates, remove equipment; portable goals posts should be moved off the pitches if at all possible, this facilitates the next team and allows for pitch cutting and marking. To all members and friends please use the bins provided for your litter; in the interest of safety and hygiene dogs are not allowed on the pitches at any time and should be kept on leads at all times when around the pavilion or grounds, if they do foul up please clean up; remember our club is your club let's share the load in our responsibility to all others!
Pavilion: A reminder to all club members and friends of St. Malachy's that the pavilion will always be made available for functions and meetings at no charge; we would ask however to ensure good housekeeping that anyone who requires the loan of chairs or kitchen utensils etc. that they contact Tommy Joe or Eilish on 028 79468020 or in their absence club chairman Noel McKenna
In conjunction with the government sponsored Step ahead 50+ programme, St Malachy's is able to provide practical work experience for 20-30 hours per week for 6 months, for someone aged 50 + who has been unemployed for 12 months and been in receipt of either Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or Employment & Support Allowance, or a combination of any of those benefits. The position will be a paid fixed-term job opportunity. Please contact Noel 07790878781 for further information.
Pitch-side Advertising: We thank all our sponsors who continue to support us each year, their help is greatly appreciated. We ask all our members and friends to recognise the contribution these sponsors make towards the cost of the upkeep of our pitches and grounds and where possible support them in return. Any new businesses who wish to purchase a pitch side advertisement please contact Brendan Keenan or Mark Chesney; plans are now being made for the 2015 season and beyond.
Clothing Bank: There is a clothing bank located inside the club car park. All textiles, such as sheets, curtains, clothes, shoes, belts and bags may be put in, but must be clean and dry. The car park can be accessed at all times. This is now a permanent feature and can be used by anyone and more importantly all donations contribute to club funds.
News Reports: Anyone with news or match reports for the weekly club notes please email them to [email protected] or [email protected] on or before 6pm Sunday evenings, little bits and pieces of Community news that may not relate to club activities but would be of interest are always welcome. Keep in touch with all that is happening in and around the club by visiting the web site www.castledawsongac.com and on Face Book (link from web site). Tweet

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