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Warrenpoint driver and 2019 Irish Star of Tomorrow Champion JB Farrell got his Formula Vee season off to a flying start with a podium finish in the National Championship at Kirkistown last weekend.
The 2020 season was due to begin in April but was delayed by four months due to coronavirus restrictions, leading to a compressed calendar which will feature just eight championship rounds this year.
The first of these took place at Mondello Park in July, where despite recording competitive times in practice, JB was unfortunate not to make the starting grid after being put off the track by another driver. With his Cicoda Racing car repaired in time for the Kirkistown event, Farrell was determined to make up for lost time and qualified on the third row of the grid in 6th place despite some technical difficulties.
JB jumped up at the start of the race and was part of a five car breakaway fighting for the lead through the opening laps. A battle ensued with rival Tim Murray, with the two drivers swapping positions over the course of several laps in a great display of wheel-to-wheel racing before the Cicoda driver broke clear. JB was then able to close up on Mark Reade, overtaking him for 3rd position three laps from the finish and guiding the car home for a great result.
His result also translated to 2nd position in class, having stepped up a level this year courtesy of winning the Star of Tomorrow category in 2019.
Not only did Farrell make it onto the podium, but he also took the fastest lap of the race by 0.9 seconds, posting a 1:05.505 to underline the pace he can deliver in his Cicoda Racing car. Naturally, the result has given the Warrenpoint man encouragement for the rest of the season.
"I am delighted to make it onto the podium and to put in the fastest lap was a bonus," said Farrell after the race. "The team has a new car for 2020 and we have partnered with Newsome Racing in Wicklow who have done a brilliant job on the mechanical side. I've moved up to a higher class too this year, so it is pleasing to be competitive on all fronts and hopefully we can produce some more good performances over the course of the season."
Attention turns now to a double-header at the prestigious Leinster Trophy event this coming weekend where Farrell and his team will be hoping for a similarly strong result.
Sponsorship packages for driver or car are available for the 2020 and 2021 season. For more details, contact JB Farrell on 07840 240239 or racing@cicoda.ie
Follow JB on Instagram: @jb.farrell or Twitter: @jb_farrell
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A 'Gooners v Cancer' fundraising football match is taking place at Jennings Park in Newry next Wednesday evening 16 September at 7pm.
It's the brain child of local man Eoin Young and it's sure to be a great evenings fun with a competitive edge thrown in.
Gooners v Cancer are a group of Arsenal fans that like so many, have been directly affected by the impact of cancer. The Group organise and oversee events to help the Leukaemia & Lymphoma society raise much needed funds to continue their research in the search for a cure. The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society also give aid to those undergoing treatment along with providing aftercare.
Commenting on the event Eoin said "After seeing the fantastic work carried out by the Charity I decided to try and play my part and raise some funds as I believe that Newry always gets behind worthy causes."
Eoin added "We have already had an overwhelming response from the local community with multiple businesses donating generously. The match is open to all willing to take part with the only request that you donate a minimum of £10 per-person. We welcome people of all skill levels and will ensure that everyone is given equal playing time. Strips will be provided but due to unpredictable attendance we recommend taking your own shorts and socks. If you would like to play please arrive at 6.30pm and send an email to Eoinyoung20@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.
"So please join us on a night that we put our team allergenics aside a unite to help kickout cancer. We look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday for what is sure to be a great evening."
If you would like to make a donation just email Eoin at Eoinyoung20@gmail.com
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Senior Men
It was a disappointing journey to Tullysaran on Saturday night for our senior men, losing out to the home side on a score-line of 0 - 16 to 1 - 8.
Tullysaran bossed the opening fifteen minutes and led 0 - 6 to no score by the time the first-half water-break came around but from the restart Matthew Girvan got the Shane’s first point of the game. The sides then swapped a point apiece with Mark McCabe on target for the Shane’s before they reduced the deficit to just two when Greg McCabe powered forward to dispatch the ball low to the Tullysaran net. Tullysaran stretched their lead to three in the thirtieth minute but Paul O’Rourke replied immediately for the Shane’s to see them trail by two at the break, 0 - 8 to 1 - 3.
Similar to the first-half, Tullysaran made the better start to the second period and scored a further five points in the opening ten minutes before Connaire Mackin got the Shane’s first score of the half with a pointed free to leave six between them. Tullysaran edged it out to seven again only for Paul O’Rourke to reply for the away team with a placed ball before the game went for a ten minute spell without either team scoring. Three scores then came in as many minutes with Tullysaran slotting over two points and Ryan McCabe replying for the Shane’s, and it was the Camlough side who got the last two points of the game courtesy of Connaire Mackin but it wasn’t enough as Tullysaran ran winners by five, 0 - 16 to 1 - 8.
Senior Ladies
Our senior ladies had no game at the weekend but they recorded a very impressive 3 - 9 to 2 - 5 win away to Clann Eireann last Monday night. Next Saturday evening sees them play their last league game of the season at home to near neighbours Carrickcruppen.
U15 Boys
An enthralling game on Sunday morning saw our U15 boys amalgamation of Patrick Rankins defeat Pearse Ógs by a single point in the championship, 3 - 4 to 0 - 12 in Correnshigo.
The young Rankins began the game brightly and went ahead early on through an Ethan Campbell goal which was quickly followed up by a good point from Daragh McNulty. The game was then held up for a few minutes following a nasty looking knee injury suffered by Ethan Campbell which saw him carried from the field of play and everyone at the club sends their best wishes to Ethan on a speedy recovery. When the game resumed Pearse Ógs upped their performance, scoring four points in a row to get back on level terms. Caolan O’Hare pointed to put the Rankins back in front but two scores in the final minutes of the half saw the Ógs lead by one at the break, 0 - 6 to 1 - 2.
Two early second-half points gave Pearse Ógs a three point advantage but points from Daragh McNulty and Adam Canavan kept the Rankins right in the game. A pointed free put the Ógs two to the good and soon after they increased their lead to three with their tenth point of the game before a speculative effort from Aaron Waddell looked to be dropping over the bar but it drifted over the keepers head and into the net and the game was now all square. Pearse Ógs responded well and scored two points, and looked to have sealed the win but the young Rankins never gave up and they were rewarded late on when Shane McCabe pounced on a loose ball to flick it to the net and see Patrick Rankins over the line on a score-line of 3 - 4 to 0 - 12.
U13 Boys
Our U13 boys put in a great performance away to Crossmaglen on Saturday afternoon but despite playing some good football they were defeated by a couple of scores.
U11’s
Training for our U11’s takes place on Thursday evening from 7.00pm - 8.00pm at the field.
U9’s
Training for our U9’s takes place on Thursday evening from 7.00pm - 8.00pm at the field.
U7’s
Training for the U7’s takes place on Thursday evening from 6.30pm - 7.30pm.
U5’s
Training for our U5’s continues on Tuesday evening at the field from 5.00pm - 6.00pm.
Well Done
Well done to the Craobh Rua senior men who are through to the Junior Hurling Championship final following their win over Middletown on Saturday.
New Gym
Work on our new gym began in earnest on Saturday morning with a large squad of brickies and labourers on site. The club would like to thank all the lads for giving up their time to get the project underway.
We would remind everyone using the club grounds that the new gym area is still a building site and to exercise care and caution in that area and not to enter the new structure...it is currently out of bounds.
Club Lotto
Last week’s winning lotto numbers were 7, 15, 23 & 26. There were no jackpot winners and 1 x match three winner. The jackpot now stands at an impressive £6,050 and and tickets are available from Camlough Post Office or from any committee member.
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The Active Runner Free Online Magazine is once again running its #bebrightbesafebeseen safety campaign. The campaign which won an award from the NI Road Safety Awards in 2017 from its old facebook page Get Active Down Armagh is now in its 5th year of spreading this very important message, Spokesperson for the campaign Kevin Gallagher says we continue to notice people not wearing the proper or no reflective gear and lights at all while out walking and running in the dark. The campaign would like to ask all runners and walkers to support this campaign, simply by wearing the proper reflective gear and lights for others to follow your lead. We would like to see this campaign grow each year and get more organizations involved.
Most runners /walkers don’t realize that they are virtually invisible at dusk, dawn, and at night. Many figure that since they can see, they can be seen. Unfortunately, motorists have an extremely hard time seeing people in poor lighting conditions. not only does it get darker earlier at this time of year and stay darker for longer, but the weather conditions also add to the problems. A runner wearing reflective clothing can be seen by a driver using dipped headlights up to 200 meters away, but the same runner only wearing dark clothes could be just 10 meters from the car before the driver sees them.
Now you can help spread this important message and also be in with a chance of winning a place at The DUNE Virtual Half Marathon by taking a photo in reflective gear and headlight and PM to us at WWW.FACEBOOK.COM or email activerunnermagazine@gmail.com and we will make a poster for you to share online and also be entered into a draw for 2 places for Dune Virtual Half Marathon. Once your poster is made and sent to you please use the hashtag #bebrightbesafebeseen. The draw will take place on Friday 25th September.
We would like to thank everyone who took part in our posters for the campaign and a special thanks to Sinead Reel who has been with the campaign from day one as the face of the campaign, we now have more new faces helping the campaign this year and helping spread this very important message with Jacqueline McGonigle on the front cover of the magazine and also Declan Leung, Maeve Kenny, Jill Mccann, and Neil McSorley and Thank you to Dermot Winters and Barry Duffy for the great prize from The Dune Virtual Half Maraton team.
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In the latest update to the Covid-19 story all GAA Club games at all levels have been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice. The decision was made today by the GAA's Management Committee.
The SDLP Sports Spokesperson and member of the 2002 Armagh All Ireland winning team, Justin McNulty has welcomed todays strong leadership of the GAA
Mr McNulty commented “Once again, the GAA have shown they will not be found wanting when it comes to showing leadership, by proactively suspending all club games.
“This was not an easy decision to make and will have a societal and financial impact across the island, but is absolutely the right decision in the context of rising COVID-19 rates. I applaud their leadership, focused on keeping people safe.”
"Throughout the pandemic, the GAA have stepped up to support our most vulnerable people, through initiatives like food banks and by looking out for the most needy people in communities. This is the latest example of strong leadership by the GAA and it should be warmly welcomed.”
In a statement a GAA Spokesperson said "The decision has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days. In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic."
"Training will continue to be permitted as per the guidelines outlined for the relevant levels in the Government's National Framework for Living with Covid 19 and relevant guidelines in the Six Counties.
"The GAA will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days and weeks, regarding changes in government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly.
"The Association would also like to acknowledge all of those units who have worked diligently in complying with the public health advice around the staging of our games and training sessions since activity resumed.
More than ever, we ask that you continue with this approach regarding training sessions."
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Newry Ladies 1’s 0-6 Limavady 1’s
Newry Ladies hosted League favourites Limavady on Saturday in their first home game of the season. The ladies are back in the Ulster Senior league having taken a year out to rebuild, and with great work from Brian and Thomas Lockhart the ladies numbers have now exploded with plenty of young talent starting to come through.
This was a tough learning curve for Newry as Limavady dominated the opening quarter catching the home side cold and slightly nervous. Limavady fired in three early goals, however Newry then started to show more resolve shutting out the visitors with the score remaining 3-0 at the break.
In the second half Newry forced a number of short corners but were unable to convert, and were still proving more difficult to break down in defence with Katie McCullough in great form. Limavday managed to get their forth late in the third quarter from a penalty flick before getting two more in the forth quarter as they pushed high against a tiring Newry side.
Team: Katie McCullough, Chrissie McCauley, Stephanie Smart, Rebecca Murdock, Sarah McGivern, Kathryn Baird, Rachael Greer, Stacey Moffett, Laverne Inns, Carolyn Ferris, Lisa Murdock, Sarah McNeilly, Sara Adams, Jodie Freeman, Suzy Rollins.
Newry Men’s Seconds 6 Kilkeel 2
The Seconds picked up their first win of the new season in emphatic style on Saturday as they hit local rivals Kilkeel for six – though they had to come from behind to do so.
Despite dominating the vast majority of the game, Newry found themselves a goal down in the first quarter as they visitors broke the deadlock from a short corner. The ball was switched back to Lindsay Beck on the left-hand side of the circle and the ex-Newry player scored against his former club with a neat finish.
However, it didn’t take the hosts long to get back on level terms and the equaliser came courtesy pf a slick team move from defence and through midfield that resulted in Simon McCafferty slotting the ball into the bottom right corner to make it a goal apiece.
Newry were always in the ascendancy, but it took them until the stroke of half-time to go in front. With everyone up for a short corner, which was the final action of the opening period, centre-back Eddie Graham played in his fellow defender Gareth McCullough and he made no mistake with the finish to give Newry a deserved 2-1 lead at the break.
However, that advantage was wiped out early in the third quarter as Kilkeel got their second to draw level again, but from that point on, it was all Newry as the home side turned on the style to run away with the victory.
They regained their lead when David Andrews crashed home a fine short corner to make it 3-2 before sub Keith McWilliams blasted in a fine reverse stick effort before the game entered the final quarter to give Newry a cushion they would never relinquish.
In fact, they extended that lead when, after a period of keep ball, they spotted an opening that allowed Man of the Match Gareth Moffett to burst through on goal and he was coolness personified to beat the Kilkeel keeper one-on-one and make it 5-2.
There was still time for a sixth late on when McCafferty got his second goal of the game as he cut into the circle from the left-hand side and made no mistake with a classy finish.
After an opening day draw away to South Antrim and a harsh home defeat to a strong Instonians outfit, the Seconds eventually got the win their performances this season have deserved and will, go into this Saturday’s clash away to Cookstown in confident mood.
Team: Andrew Marks, Gareth McCullough, Eddie Graham, Jake Boyd, Daryl Barlow, Gareth Moffett, David Andrews, Scott Blakely, Corey Large, Simon McCafferty, Michael McCullough, Jonny Gregg, Keith McWilliams, James Niblock, Jordan Whiteside
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A decision by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to reccomend planning approval for Casement Park in Belfast has been welcomed by MLA Justin McNulty who played there while on the Armagh football team. 
“SDLP Minister Nichola Mallon has acted with careful consideration and care and has decided to approve a recommendation for planning approval for Casement Park. The ball in now in the Executive’s court to provide the funding promised and required to see construction completed."
The MLA continued "This stadium will be transformative for Belfast, for the nine counties of Ulster and for the GAA right across our island. I am delighted that the SDLP has secured this positive decision and we are committed to working with all to ensure the delivery of this project that will not only transform our sporting community here but will deliver an economic boost though construction and then when the stadium is operational.
"This weekend sees the belated start to the National League Campaign and I can think of no better way than to start that campaign with an acknowledgment from Government here of the GAA and every Gael across this island and abroad. In recent months, our communities have come through very tough times and we will do so again in the days ahead, but the GAA really did step up when people needed it most. In every community the GAA was at the heart of the community response to Covid, this will go some way to recognize the crucial role of the GAA on our island."
Mr McNulty concluded "I am excited for what this will do for the GAA in Belfast, Antrim and Ulster. I look forward to an Armagh – Tyrone Ulster final being played out there in a new world class GAA stadium in the heart of West Belfast in the near future to hear the crowds cheer on the men in Orange."
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Armagh take on Derry and Down take on Fermanagh 24 October in their opening games of the 2020 Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship and Ulster GAA announced today that they would be live streaming these games along with the others in the series.
All eight games in the provincial series will be delivered in partnership with Broadcast and Media Production company, PáircTV.
The launch of the new service is a timely boost to supporters given current inter-county competitions, such as the Allianz Leagues and Provincial Minor Championships, are to be played behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions. The GAA will review this situation again towards the end of October.
The live coverage begins this weekend as Monaghan host neighbours Cavan at St Tiernach’s Park Clones, with pay-per game access priced at €5/£5. Supporters will be able to stream the games live or on demand in 1080p HD, with a highlights package also available as part of the service. Sign-up is via the PAIRCTV.COM website or by following the link on ULSTERGAA.IE/TV
The full 2020 Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Championship fixture schedule is included below.
Ulster GAA President Oliver Galligan said: “Ulster GAA is delighted to announce this new platform with PáircTV and to provide live coverage of our Minor Championship games. Given these unprecedented times, we look forward to providing supporters with access to all the action and showcasing the great young talent in our province.”
Patrick Magee, Managing Director, PáircTV, said: “PáircTV are delighted to be partnering with Ulster GAA as it’s streaming provider for the Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship.”
Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Championship Fixtures
Sat 17th October: First Round
Muineachán V An Cabhán at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones (2.00 pm)
Sat 24th October: Quarter Finals
Dún na nGall V Tír Eoghain at Pairc MacCumhaill, Ballybofey (11.30 am)
Doire V Ard Mhacha at Owenbeg (2.00 pm)
Aontroim V Muineachán / An Cabhán at Corrigan Park (2.00 pm) / Kingspan Breffni (6.00pm)
Fear Manach V An Dún at Brewster Park, Enniskillen (6.00 pm)
Sat 31st October: Semi Finals
Dún na nGall / Tír Eoghain V Doire / Ard Mhacha at Venue TBC
Fear Manach / An Dún V Aontroim / Muineachán / An Cabhán at Venue TBC
Fri 13th/Sat 14th/Sun 15th November: Final
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