Aughlisnafin seniors were at home to Ballykinlar last Thursday evening. In a superb first half display the Fin set the foundation for an important win as they scored 1-13 with all but two scores from play. Ballykinlar sending over five points with four of them from placed balls with Stefan Mason showing he is one of the best free takers in the division. However in the 20th minute when there was just three points between the teams the Fin goalkeeper made a point blank save which spurred the Fin to hit 1-5 without reply as they saw out the half. After the restart the 'Fin tagged on three more points to give them a commanding 14 point lead but then Ballykinlar won and converted a penalty with a major reducing the deficit to 11 points. Thomas Beckett replied with a point for the Fin in the 35th minute. But then followed a spell of ten minutes in which Ballykinlar had the momentum as they scored 1-2 to leave 7 points between the teams. James Brannigan fired over a superb point to settle any notions of an amazing fightback. Ballykinlar just wouldn't lie down and hit back with another two points but Paddy McClean sent over the last point of the game to cap a good win for the Fin. Fin Team : M McClean, N Allen, F Boden, N Travers, J Brannigan (0-6, 3f), R McMullan, J McCauley, D Steele, T Beckett (0-1), C Doran (0-3), B Quinn, C Rice (0-3), P McClean (0-2), C McVeigh (1-1), S Willoughby (0-3) Subs : P Flanagan, M Malone, A Quinn. Rory McMullan and James Brannigan were the pick of the defence while up front all the forwards showed well with Ciaran Rice and Collie McVeigh the standouts.

Three days prior to this match the seniors also played Dromara. The Fin played into the wind in the first half. Dromara scored the first two points of the game with Collie McVeigh replying for the Fin. Dromara then won a penalty which was brilliantly tipped on the crossbar by Moe McClean but the penalty taker made no mistake with the second attempt firing the re-bound to the net. Two Rory McMullan frees were cancelled out by Dromara before McVeigh's free left Dromara 1-4 to 0-4 ahead at the short whistle. With the wind at their backs it was anticipated that the Fin would have the advantage but this was not the case. By the fifteenth minute of the second half Dromara led 1-10 to 0-7 with McMullan, Chris Doran and Donagh Steele getting the Fin scores. Despite further points from McMullan and Willoughby Dromara held their six point lead at the end. Final score Aughlisnafin 0-9 Dromara 1-12. Fin Team : M McClean, N Allen, F Boden, N Travers, J Brannigan, R McMullan (0-4, 2f), J McCauley, D Steele (0-1), T Beckett , C Doran (0-1), B Quinn, C Rice, P McClean, C McVeigh (0-2), S Willoughby (0-1) Sub: M Malone, A Quinn.

The seniors also took part in the John McMullan Memorial Sevens hosted by St Johns GAC. In the opening match which saw the Fin pitted against neighbours Castlewellan it was the Town select who won with a goal right at the end. Aughlisnafin 1-8 Castlewellan 2-6. In the second game the Fin were the victors over Dromara winning 3-08 to 2-04. The Fin also won their third game against Glasgow Gaels with a comfortable 2-07 to 1-04, which saw John McCauley up against his brother. In the last group match the hosts St Johns won 3-7 to 2-7. By virtue of more goals scored and least conconcedede Fin made the semis as group runners up ahead of the Town Select. They met the eventual tournament winners Mourne Select which won 2-12 to 1-7. The lads and their manager Emmett Devlin did the club proud and will look forward to the Junior Feis 7s at the end of May. Fin squad : P McClean (0-2), C Doran (1-5), F Boden (1-0), T Beckett (0-4), R McMullan (0-5), J Brannigan (3-5), N Travers (0-1), J McCauley (1-4), D Steele (1-6), C Rice (2-5). Thanks to St Johns for a superb run tournament and for the invitation to play.

The Fin Ladies had no game last week with the St Michaels game being postponed to Tuesday 8th May. Ladies are home to Bright on Saturday 12th at 7.00pm.

U14 girls are home to Burren on Sunday 13th at 12.30pm.

The u12s were at home to Carryduff C for u12 Go Games. The visitors like the Fin were a mixture of u12s and u10s and it was a pretty even game over 2 x 25 minutes periods. Aaran Flanagan starred yet again in goals the back four of Jack Matthews (0-1) Conor Matthews, Morgan Croskery and Ruari King were outstanding, Oran Flanagan (1-4) and Eoin Lundy (1-4) and Ruairi Quinn were strong in midfield and set up many scores as well as taking their own and the forwards Jamie Allen (1-0), Adam Lenaghan (1-0) Cathal Murphy (1-0) and 8 year old Conall King (0-2) all getting on the scoresheet. It was a very good performance from all the boys and the hard wotk in training is bearing fruit. Jamie Allen made his debut and it was good to see Ruari King back after a long lay off with a fractured wrist. The u12s will be at home to Kilclief this Sunday at 12 noon in the re-fixed game postponed from last week.

The u14s were defeated by St Josephs, the amalgamated Ballykinlar/Dundrum team, last Wednesday evening. In the first half the Fin led 2-5 to 1-4 but after the interval the St Josephs team made better use of their possession to record a comfortable 8-08 to 3-9 win. The Fin made several substitutions to empty the bench to give every one game time and the lads were unlucky as the home team proved a lot stronger. There were encouraging displays with Aaran Flanagan having a great game in goals and the two new additions to the squad Jonathan and Jamie Allen both making their debut and both marking it with a point each. Cathal Murphy being the latest 10 year old to score at this grade. Next match will be at home to St Pauls B. This will be followed by a match away to neighbours St Johns next Monday 14th May at 7.30 pm.

U14 girls / u10s & u8s every Tuesday 6.30 to 7.30 pm. U12 & u14 boys every Thursday 6.30 - 7.30 pm.

Gaelic Start Coaching for ages 3 - 6 year olds in the Fin Hall on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month unless notified otherwise. The u6s and u8s will play Dundrum teams on Saturday 19th May.

The club will be hosted a fantastic Fun Day in glorious sunshine on Annsborough Playing Fields for club members and Friends of the Fin with juveniles from neighbouring clubs also joining in the fun. Breannain McComiskey winning the adult poc fada with Donagh Steele second and Gerard Lenaghan third (wind assisted probably). There were numerous races and games for the underage, face painting etc. The Katch up training device was also a great success. Senior player Donagh Steele won highest catch at 9ft 4 inches and also highest jump at 2ft 2 inches. It also attracted around thirty juveniles on the day who took part in a skills and technique assessment, the winners of this were Adam Garland aged 12 (Castlewellan GAC) and Eoin Lundy aged 11 (Aughlisnafin GAC). The tug of war also raised a lot of laughs. Thanks to everyone who helped out on the day.

Margaret Scullion matched this weeks 49 Club bonus ball (36) and won £45.
Lotto numbers 5, 13, 25, 27. Gail Mulholland matched 3 numbers and won £50. Tweet

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