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Football News
Nursery & Primary Football Training: Please note that there will be no training for our Nursery and Primary 1 footballers next week due to St Mark’s being closed – training will resume as usual on Sunday 25th July.
U7 Football: The U7s made the trip out to Rostrevor on Sunday morning (11th July) to play some matches. It was great to see so many kids out representing the Super Blues and even better to see the skills on show...some great kicking, toe-picks, toe-taps, tackling and scoring. The future is bright! A big thank you to the coaches and parents who came out to show their support.
U11 Boys' Football: It was a busy week for our U11 Footballers with two matches played within five days. On Tuesday 6th July, the Warrenpoint boys made the short trip to Mayobridge to take on an energetic 'Bridge team. After an even opening to the game, the young 'Point side settled down and played some lovely attacking football. The hosts however had some great passages of play themselves to take a one-point lead at half time.
The young Blues realised they had a real battle on their hands and rolled up their sleeves in the 3rd quarter to play their best football of the season so far to take a commanding lead.
Mayobridge refused to lie down however and chipped away at the lead. In a nail-biting finish the Warrenpoint boys dug deep and held out for a well-deserved victory of 2-7 to 1-7. Hats off to both teams for a thoroughly entertaining match.
Under 11 Boys Football: The Under 11s also made the visit to Pairc Esler on Sunday 11th July to take on their Newry Shamrock counterparts. Playing into the breeze, the young Point lads fell behind to an early goal and were it not for some wayward shooting from the home team could have been further behind. The boys really got going around the 10-minute mark and took some great scores and also defended resolutely.
In the second half the Blues were aided by the breeze and really made the advantage count to run out handsome winners. Well done boys and a special thank you to all of the parents who come out in all weather to support this committed young bunch!
U13 Boys' Football: On Tuesday 6th July, the U13s welcomed Annaclone to Milltown in the second league play-off match. The match was a tense affair with both teams playing great football. In the first period the teams went score for score, however, after the first water break Annaclone took the lead which they held at half time.
Once again, this group of young Blues showed great determination and skill to overturn the deficit and took the lead, a lead that they kept until the final whistle. The coaches would like to thank the large number of supporters who cheered on the boys in blue to a deserved victory.
*PLEASE NOTE: The U13 League-decider game vs Tullylish originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday 13th July will now be played at a later date.
Hurling News
Seniors agonising defeat in final minutes of close encounter
Clonduff 2-15 V Cumann Pheadaír Naofa 2-10
What an absolute nerve shredding final ten minutes this match turned out to be! The last time these two sides met, almost a year ago the Yellas had a comfortable fourteen-point win.
But having stayed in Div1 and grown used to the intensity of the challenge Sean Mallon, Tom Daly & Liam Boyle had brought the sea-siders on to the next level.
Missing at least five/six key starting players through injury, the management gave senior starting debuts to young starlets Jake McNabb & James Murray, who did not disappoint.
Playing with a breeze in the first half points from Oisín Kelly, Cathal Fagan & Tomás Magill saw the blues take the lead midway through the first half. Unfortunately, Matthew Teague had to retire through injury, but the introduction of Tiernan Murphy gave a fresh impetus to a stalling half-forward line and it wasn’t long before he gave the Clonduff backline another problem to solve. Kevin McCullough, Fagan & Murphy gave the visitors a two-point lead at half time & the momentum they richly deserved, Clonduff 0-6 Cumann Pheadaír Naofa 0-8.
Playing against the wind in the second half the fear of Paddy Brannigans’ powerful runs at defence and the threat of Chrissy Hynes frees were now a bigger problem to worry about. Hynes, finished with an impressive five placed ball scores on the day, whilst Brannigan mirrored that from play over the hour. Clonduff had opted for the long ball into the blues fourteen, in an effort to cut out the Warrenpoint’s half backs of Conan O’Neill, Mark Murtagh & Mark Rafferty who were outstanding in the first half and rarely put a foot wrong throughout the hour. Warrenpoint battled hard and had stand out players throughout the field, none more so than Ali Higgins, starting at full forward he moved out the field as the game progressed and even though he failed to score, he peppered the Clonduff backs with well-timed passes and brought many of the blues forwards alive with the quality of his passes and was constantly a threat when in possession.
As we entered the final quarter the game was evenly balanced as Clonduff nervously held a two-point lead, 1-12 to 1-10. Within moments of the restart, Cuman Pheadaír Naofa’s Murphy had the sliotar in the back of the net as the game approached its finale. The blues were now in front, but once more a Hynes free and two quick Brannigan points gave the hosts the advantage. With only minutes left to play Clonduff won a twenty-metre side-line and as the sliotar travelled to the blues six-yard box, Oran Wilson flicked it past Anthony O’Brien to give the home side a five-point victory.
Scorers: C Fagan 0-6, T Murphy 1-1, N McParland 1-0, O Kelly 0-1, T Magill 0-1, K McCullough 0-1
U13s win comfortably at home
Patrick Rankins 8-8 V Craobh Rua 0-1
Patrick Rankins faced Craobh Rua on Friday night knowing they were up against a tough opposition after narrowly losing out a few weeks ago.
Charlie Phelan opened the scoring with a goal, followed by a Jamie Lock point. Rankins kept up the pressure with some great skill and teamwork on display.
In goals Oliver Murdock pulled off several great saves and further scores from Danny Doyle left a halftime score of 3-4 to 0-1.
Patrick Rankins pushed on with Eoin Campbell and Jason Duffy, along with Niall McManus, Tiernan Fitzpatrick and Eoin Gorman shutting down the visitors attacks as quick as they started. The midfield pairing of Doyle and Ciaran McMahon left their counterparts often chasing shadows, whilst the half forwards gave plentiful supply of the sliotar to a potent full forward line.
Team: Jason Duffy, Eoin Campbell, Niall McManus, Tiernan Fitzpatrick, Eoin Gorman, Danny Doyle (2-5), Ciaran McMahon, Malachi Sherwin, Senan Rogan, Conal Gallagher (1-0), Jamie Lock (2-3), Charlie Phelan (2-0), Danny McManus, Oliver Murdock.
Camogie News
On Saturday the U13 Camogs travelled to Kilclief were they showed up to play. Lead by Fíanna Murney the girls displayed teamwork as well their growing confidence in themselves and each other. Both Kate McCafferty and Emily McFerran kept the sliotar in the Warrenpoint territory throughout the match. Shannon Quinn and Lacey Close we’re strong on defence. Fitting right into the team was Sive McCoy having her debut match. Alicia Jones scored 2-1. Abigail Naughton scored 2-0. Olivia McFerran scored 1-0. Fíanna Murney scored 1-0 and Tegan Carvill scored 0-1. Defeating Kilclief with the final score of 6-2 to 2-1. The girls final match before the U13 championships is at home next Saturday @11:00 v Kilcool. Come on out to support the girls.
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I really enjoyed watching Italy win the Euros on Sunday evening … and it was especially pleasing and thrilling when the tournament finished with a penalty shoot-out.
My joy was heightened as I had Italy in a family sweepstake. In common with most Irishmen (plus Welsh and Scots) I always want to see England beaten.
I swore when Luke Shaw gave England the lead after just two minutes and I leapt from my chair, roaring like a madman, when Leonardo Bonucci equalised.
I love the drama of penalty shoot-outs and was like a man possessed when England missed three spot-kicks and Italy won. It was high class entertainment.
My latest hero is the Italian captain, the long-in-the-tooth Giorgio Chiellini. He was stunning at the back for the Italians throughout the tournament and he never put a foot wrong against England. And on one occasions he even out-paced the lightning-fast Sterling. For me Chiellini was the personality of the Euros.
But afterwards, believe it or not, I felt sorry for the England trio of Rashford, Sancho and Saka, who each missed penalties. They will take those misses to their graves.
Also I felt really sorry for the English manager Gareth Southgate. He appears to be an honest guy. He says all the right things and I admired him in the aftermath of defeat as he tried to console his gutted players.
I also admired Mason Mount who after his team’s semi-final win over Denmark showed remarkable kindness when he went into the stand to give his shirt to a young fan.
As I said, I wasn’t as happy as I might have been after Italy won. But I would have been absolutely in bits had England carried off their first trophy in 55 years.
Which brings me to the purpose of this story.
Quite a few years ago I wrote a wee article which keeps coming back to me.
Then I said: ‘The lows of losing are much, much lower than the joys of winning are high.’
In effect it means it’s great to win and it brings joy. But defeats bring unbelievable despair and will be remembered far longer than the greatest of victories.
Last Saturday night I had my book ‘The History of Newry Celtic’ launched in Nan Rices. And in that book several players, such as Larry Griffin, Decky Downey and Liam Blair bore out that ‘despair of losing’ sentiment when they said they remembered the defeats much more vividly than the victories.
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Armagh are aiming to bridge a 13-year gap since their last Ulster final appearance when they take on Monaghan on Saturday.
Newry’s Pairc Esler will host the Ulster semi-final with a 4pm throw-in, although crowd numbers will be lower than the demand of tickets due to the latest Covid restrictions.
It is sure to be full-blooded contest between the two neighbouring sides and if the opening game of the National League is anything to go by, there shouldn’t be too much between the sides at the final whistle.
Armagh beat Monaghan 1-12 to 1-16 in May, but the Farney side weren’t at full strength and Orchard boss Kieran McGeeney won’t be reading too much into that result ahead of Saturday’s big game.
“The championship is a different type of player, there is no doubt about it,” McGeeney said. “If you lose by a couple of a points and you look back and think that ‘we could have scored that,’ then you are raising your game.
“If you win by a couple of points then you might say ‘we were lucky there’.
“So, it is how you approach the game that particular day, there is definitely lot you can do before the game that can make you lose it, but the only thing you can do to win it is what you do between when it starts and finishes.
“I would say it would have no relevance but if anything, it might give them a s slight edge because they might feel that they missed a few shots in the last couple of minutes when we were under pressure, ‘so we can take these fellas.’ It depends.
“An Ulster semi-final between next door neighbours it is like picking balls out of a hat and you just hope that the balls up pick out are the right ones and ready for the battle.
“I think that is what is keeping provincial football together as a province because you just don't know what you are going to get.”
Monaghan took care of Fermanagh with little fuss in the Ulster quarter-final, although the injury to talisman Conor McManus has put his participation on Saturday in doubt.
Players such as Drew Wylie and Jack McCarron will take some watching and McManus is likely to play some part too, so McGeeney and his management team will have their homework done.
Aidan Forker’s return is a huge boost, he missed Armagh’s 13-point win over Antrim and Ryan Kennedy should be in contention for a starting place, having missed much of the season through injury. Of course, the two O’Neill brothers Oisin and Rian are key to Armagh’s recent progression, and they need to be on fire against Monaghan. Jemar Hall, Greg McCabe, Connaire Mackin, Jarly Og Burns and substitute Conor Turbitt have all impressed this year too, while Rory Grugan is still putting in top notch performances, but he insists that what Armagh produced against Antrim won’t be good enough on Saturday.
“We are going to have to improve a lot for Monaghan, we watched the game and since the day we played them [in the National League opening weekend] they have been in brilliant form,” Grugan said.
“And it was a real tight game against Galway, and they came out the right side of it and they had a good win [against Fermanagh] so that is going to be a step up again. Monaghan have been at the top table longer than us over the last eight or ten years, so we are going to need a massive improvement for that.”
It is sure to be an exciting contest, while the other semi-final between Donegal and Tyrone shouldn’t be too shabby either.
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Newry Ladies Bowling Club are seeking new members. The Club are encouraging locals of all ages to get involved and give the sport a try.
The Club started up in the early 1980's and is based at Willis Park, the home of Newry Bowling on the Warrenpoint Road in the City.
For present members it's a great social outlet and many friends have been made over the years. Sadie Rice from Barcroft Park (although she points out she's a Cooley woman!) has been playing with Newry Ladies from the very beginning. In fact she points out that she was actually there before the green in Newry was made!
Like many of her club mates the socialising and getting out and meeting other ladies at different Bowling Greens around the country is one of the major benefits of being involved.
Many of the members would be at Newry Bowling Club several times a week during afternoons and evenings. Sadie explains "It's very relaxing with these ones here, the carry on and laughing and we always have a good time."
Pre Covid at the end of the league season they would bring around 200 to 300 of the Northern Ireland ladies to the Canal Court for a meal. No doubt it's a tradition that will be eagerly anticipated when it returns.
Club member Ruth Agnew explains they would love new blood to join them, and points out you don't even need to have bowls as they will supply them! Ruth explains "All you need to do is just turn up on a Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm
"You can just turn up, throw some bowls, enjoy it, see what they think of it and come along regularly if you want."
When Newry.ie called the ladies were competing in a pairs competition against Newcastle but it's certainly not all competitions. Ruth says "We meet on Wednesday for a bit of fun, a bit of socialising, a bit of crack, it's just a fun day of bowls, and usually on a Thursday we are playing a match.
"At the minute because of Covid we are zoned with Newcastle and Castle Park, which also plays out of Newcastle. The three clubs play in a pairs competition and the Newry ladies are sitting top of the league."
When it comes to competitions the competitive streak certainly comes out "I don't think there's a lady on the green who isn't wanting to win. We'll go out and have fun and enjoy it and if we win it is a bonus, but we really do want to win!" explains Ruth.
Being involved is certainly therapeutic for the club members and a great way to keep your mental health right.
For Ruth the best part is just "Getting out of the house and doing something different, and 'me time' as they talk about, because I could be still ironing this afternoon only I said, no it's bowls day - and the iron goes down."
If you would like to get involved you can either turn up any Wednesday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm or if you have any questions about joining give Ruth a ring on 078 11667620
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Armagh grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat only for Monaghan to do the same in a thrilling Ulster Championship semi-final battle against Monaghan at a scorched Pairc Esler.
Throughout a frenetic first half, Armagh’s point-scoring was superb but they repeatedly left the backdoor ajar and the Farneymen ran goal after goal through their defence.
Conor McManus scored the first and then Jack McCarron seized on a misplaced kickout from debutant goalkeeper Shay Magill to bag the second. When McCarron set up Michael Bannigan to palm home the third, Monaghan led by seven points and although the outstanding Rian O’Neill replied with his fifth point of the game, Darren Hughes sliced through the Orchard rearguard with a simple one-two and beat Magill with a low drive that restored the gap to seven points and it was 0-14 to 4-9 at the interval.
Armagh tightened up defensively in the second half as Monaghan played a more conservative, possession-based game.
The Orchard County matched Monaghan score for score but their hopes were dwindling when they trailed by seven points with 50 minutes gone.
Then the game dramatically turned their way.
Rian O’Neill leapt to catch a Magill kickout and picked out substitute Conor Turbitt who bravely sent the ball into the net with a deft flick of his wrist and when Andrew Murnin added a point there was suddenly just three points between the Ulster rivals.
Armagh grabbed the momentum and Ross McQuillan and Rian O’Neill both registered points before Tiarnan Kelly beat two Monaghan defenders and placed a shot past Rory Beggan to give Kieran McGeeney’s side a one-point lead.
Oisin O’Neill doubled his side’s advantage and it seemed certain that Armagh, with the wind in their sails, would kick on to a famous win.
But the game took another twist.
Nerveless Conor McManus, an injury doubt before the semi-final, kicked three consecutive frees to edge his side ahead in injury-time and then O’Hanlon added the insurance point to break Armagh hearts at the finish.
However, there is no doubt that this Armagh side is making progress and another season in Division One will certainly benefit young players like Rian and OIsin O’Neill, Jarly Og Burns, Conor Turbitt and Tiarnan Kelly who should be a force again in 2022.
Manager McGeeney summed up the year: “It was decent but there’s much more in them.”
Meanwhile, Monaghan deserve great credit for battling back with such tremendous heart. The game was over-shadowed by the death of Monaghan U20 captain Brendan Óg Duffy who died in a two-car collision on Friday night just hours after he had captained his county to a semi-final victory of their own. The team wore black armbands at Pairc Esler.
Monaghan captain Ryan Wylie said: “I woke up this morning to the news and my heart sank.
"When you see things like that, a young lad at the peak of his powers just after a great game and win, then everything just changes. It was great to get the result, but it is irrelevant and it puts everything in perspective.
"We gathered this morning and we were thinking of him. The last five minutes, that's the way Brendan Og would have played, with heart, and that was for him."
Monaghan: R Beggan (0-2 frees); K Duffy, C Boyle, R Wylie; K O'Connell, K Lavelle, R McAnespie; D Hughes (1-0), N Kearns (0-1); M Bannigan (1-1), A Mulligan, D Ward (0-2); C McCarthy, J McCarron (1-1), C McManus (1-6, 0-4 frees)
Substitutes: R Farrelly, K Hughes, K McMenamin, C Walshe, S Carey (0-1), F Kelly, S O'Hanlon (0-2), D Wylie, A Woods, B McBennett, D Malone.
Armagh: S Magill; J Morgan, A McKay, R Finn; C O'Hanlon (0-1), G McCabe, C Mackin (0-1); N Grimley (0-1), O O'Neill (0-3); J Hall, R O'Neill (0-6, 0-3 frees), J Og Burns (0-2); R Grugan (0-3), A Murnin, S Campbell (0-1)
Substitutes: R Grugan, C O'Neill (0-1), B Donaghy, C Turbitt (1-1), S Sheridan, P Burns, R Kennedy, A Forker, R McQuillan (0-1), B Crealey, T Kelly (1-0).
Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final. Final score: Monaghan 4-17 Armagh 2-21
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Football News
Nursery & Primary Football Training: Please note training for our Nursery and Primary 1 footballers will resume as usual on Sunday 25th July in St Mark’s at 11am.
U9 Boys & Girls’ Football: 21 of our U9 girls and boys were hosted by Rostrevor on Sunday morning (18th July). All the girls and boys did really well in the hot conditions - keep it up!
*Training continues on Wednesday in St Mark's at 6pm
U15 Boys' Football: The U15s had a strong finish to the All-County Division 1 campaign. They finished joint 4th and narrowly missed out on the semi-finals on a count back.
In their last two games they beat League favourites Bryansford by 4 points in Newcastle on Thursday 8th July. This was followed by a fantastic team performance which resulted in a hard-fought win against Division One leaders Kilcoo on Sunday 11th July by 2 points. Due to injury and holidays the management had to ask for players to step up from the U13 Panel to play in the games and the lads were fantastic. Thank you to the U13 management and coaches.
It has been a very good league campaign for the U15s considering the players were moved up from Division 2 into Division 1 mid-season. The young footballers are developing really well and are collectively looking forward to maybe causing an upset or two in the All-County Championship starting late July.
Camogie News
With the country breaking records for the heat Saturday , the points U13 camogie squad earned another win to end their regular season. By sheer determination , they came from behind late in the match with a joint goal from Blaíthnid Gambold and Alicia Jones to defeat Kilcoo. Other goals were scored by Fíanna Murney and Tegan Carvill. The entire team worked together and never gave up. Annabelle Leddy showed her ability to play soild midfield. Next for warrenpoint is the U13 Championships. All are welcome to support the team.
Hurling News
U13s big win on the road
Bredagh 2-1
Patrick Rankins 6-9
Friday evening saw Patrick Rankins travel to Cherryvale playing fields for a league encounter with Bredagh. Patrick Rankins were very quick to open the scoring with Ciaran pointing as the visitors dominated the first half. with Lorcan Rowntree once more putting in a stella performance between the sticks, it wasn’t long before Danny Doyle, Jamie Lock & Charlie Phelan had goaled for Rankins. Further scores from Doyle, Lock & Phelan left Rankins well in control with a 0-1 to 4-8 lead at the break.
The start of the second half saw Bredagh hit a purple patch as they threatened to get back into the contest with two quick goals, but Patrick Rankins gathered their composure and Doyle, McMahon & Phelan ensured the fight back was short lived as they increased the lead of the visiting team.
Team: Lorcan Rowntree, Niall McManus, Jason Duffy, Tiernan Fitzpatrick, Conor Treanor 1-0, Oliver Murdock, Eoin Campbell, Danny Doyle 3-5, Ciaran McMahon 0-2, Conal Gallagher, Senan Rogan, Charlie Phelan 2-0, Danny McManus, Jamie Lock 0-2, Gerard McConville
Club News
Congratulation to Sean O’Hare and Cian McLoughlin who were part of the county U20 winning team. We wish them all the best.
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Ladies Football News
County Senior Ladies Visit
As part of the club’s activities to mark the tenth anniversary of ladies’ Gaelic football in Warrenpoint, The Down senior ladies were invited to Moygannon on Saturday July 24th, for a half-day training camp, as they prepare for their upcoming All Ireland quarter final. The day started with our own U15 girls having a training session, lead by some of the Down senior ladies, including captain Laoise Duffy. At the end of the session the U15s had the opportunity to chat to the Down ladies & gain some insights into what it takes to make the senior county panel. The county ladies then got stuck into their own session, with Warrenpoint’s own county minor goalkeeper, Cara Bradley joining the senior panel for the full session.
To help mark the occasion of the tenth anniversary, the club was presented with a Down senior ladies’ number 10 shirt, signed by the panel. This was a lovely gesture from the Down senior ladies’ management & players.
Thank you very much to co-managers Caoibhe Sloan & Peter Lynch, for being so accommodating & allowing our U15 girls to play a part in the day. Another big thanks to Warrenpoint’s own, Keith Waters, goal-keeping coach for the Down senior ladies. Keith was instrumental in helping to set-up the day.
Cumann Pheadair Naofa would like to wish the Down senior ladies every success in their All Ireland campaign.
Football news
U7 Boys & Girls’ Football: U7 Football returned to St. Mark's on Sunday 25th July after a two-week break. As the sunny weather continued there was only one way to cool down after a warm training session – water balloons - what have we started! More balloons next time#superblues
U13 Boys' Football: The U13 boys made the trip to Ballyholland on Tuesday evening (20th July) to play the first group stage in the A-Championship. The boys in blue faced a very talented Ballyholland team who stormed into the lead with some fantastic play.
After the half-time break the Warrenpoint boys played more like themselves and took some great scores. However, Ballyholland were the superior team and won the game. The coaches are delighted with the effort, attitude and determination shown by the young blues, who will not doubt have better days ahead.
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Newry, Mourne and Down Junior Golf Trophy was back in action this summer, with young golfers competing over three days between July 21 and 23 at Kilkeel, Warrenpoint and Royal County Down (Annesley).
With temperatures soaring at both Kilkeel and Warrenpoint, participants took part in two different competitions — a Flag Competition for players with no official golfing handicap, and a Main Tournament where golfers with official handicaps competed in U12, U14, U16 and U18 age categories.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason, who attended the event, said, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is supportive of the development of junior golf and golf tourism. Golf tourism is a highly lucrative sector, encouraging many visitors and contributing to the local economy. This particular competition has provided junior golfers, both boys and girls of all ages and ability, with outstanding opportunities to experience great competitions at top class venues. Congratulations to the winners and all who took part in the competition.”
Golf Ireland managed the Flag Competition, with many juniors taking part at both Kilkeel and Warrenpoint, before Jack McKee and Shea Kilpatrick sealed first and second place on both days, with third place going to Melissa Boyd at Kilkeel and Oliver Curtis at Warrenpoint.
In the main tournament highlights included a Hole-in-One for Isaac Bloomer on the 15th at Kilkeel. The scores were aggregated over the two days and there were winners in the various age categories, while the top-20 players as calculated by an aggregate Gross Stableford score also qualified to take on the Annesley Links at Royal County Down on day three.
U12 Winners
1st - Cara Fitzsimons (St. Patrick’s Golf Club)
2md - Mark McCoy – (Mayobridge Golf Club)
3rd - Caleb McCauley – (Kilkeel Golf Club)
U14 Winners
1st - Louis Poland (Kilkeel Golf Club)
2nd - Curtis Watson (Crossgar Golf Club)
3rd - Patrick McAllister (Warrenpoint Golf Club)
U16 Winners
1st - Christopher Poland (Kilkeel Golf Club)
2nd - Will Boyd (Mourne Golf Club)
3rd - Ben Ward (Warrenpoint Golf Club)
U18 Winners
1st - Isabella Collins (Kilkeel Golf Club)
2nd - Jack Keenan (Mourne Golf Club)
3rd - Lee Whitten (Tandragee Golf Club)
At Royal County Down it was defending champion Harry McArdle, 14, from Warrenpoint Golf Club, who birdied two of his last four holes and emerged victorious in the boys’ competition while an impressive Alanna Ross, 13, from Knock Golf Club, took the title for the girls.
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Football News
U7 Football: It was a ‘Super-Sunday’ morning on 1st August for the U7s in St. Mark's. The boys kicked things off with An Riocht. The huge number of kids from both clubs allowed three matches to be played. It was then over to the girls who welcomed Burren with two games on show. As the young blues get more competitive game-time, the improvement in the skill levels is amazing to see with some excellent tackling, blocks and scores. As always, a big thank you to all the coaches parents, grandparents and relatives who came out to support the kids!
U11 Boys' Football: It was a busy week for our U11 boys with two entertaining games to play. On Thursday 29th July, the U11 boys travelled to Glasdrumman to take on Eire Óg in their latest league match. The boys were up against it with a few key players absent with injury and holidays, however these young lads dug deep to put in one of their best team performances of the season. Leading by 5 points at halftime, playing some wonderful attacking football, they kicked on in the second half to win by 9 points. While the attacking play was of the highest standard, the platform for this performance was set in defence and midfield where the work rate was immense. Well done boys and thanks again to our vocal supporters who made the journey to cheer the boys on to victory!
Warrenpoint Under 11s were back in action for the second time this week when they welcomed Annaclone to Moygannon on Sunday morning (1st August). The corresponding fixture in Annaclone was a real barn-burner and while they came out the wrong side of the result that day, this young 'Point team were determined to balance the scales for their second encounter. In a game played at break-neck speed, the skills and tackling on both sides kept the crowd enthralled.
The Blues made the interval leading by 2 points, but the real damage was done in the third quarter when 3 quick goals gave the 'Point lads some breathing space. Annaclone refused to lie down however and came back with a few scores of their own. The' Point lads steadied the ship with a couple of late scores to seal the deal and now travel to Saval next Sunday (8th August).
U13 Boys' Football: The U13 team welcomed Annaclone to Milltown on Tuesday evening (27th July) in the second round of group matches in the A-Championship. The rain began to fall as the match was about to start but it didn't dampen the effort and enthusiasm of our boys in blue.
The Warrenpoint boys played great football throughout. Their handling in the wet conditions showed the hard work the boys are putting in at training to continue to develop their skills. At the final whistle the young blues came out on top to get their first win in the Championship - next up is Mayobridge on Tuesday 3rd August in Milltown.
Hurling News
Seniors reach first Final in twelve years
In a thrilling hard hitting game in Ballela, two first half goals from Tiernan Murphy & a John O'Kane free gave the blues a slender 1pt HT lead. A third goal before the 2nd water break from Cathal Fagan gave the blues a 3pt advantage. Fagan pushed this out to six upon resumption, leading to a nervous final 5 minutes, with Kilclief grabbing a late consultation goal, but it wasn't enough as Cumann Pheadaír Naofa held on to win by 5pts and reach the final on Sunday.
U13 Hurlers get championship off to great start
Clonduff 3-1 V Patrick Rankins 7-13
The U13’s Patrick Rankins team travelled to Clonduff for the first round of the championship shield. Clonduff were quick to open the scoring with a goal, but Rankins quickly replied with one of their own Jamie Lock to make it even.
Some great displays of skill and teamwork proved to be the difference between the sides as further scores from Danny Doyle, Conor Treanor, Charlie Phelan and Ciaran McMahon saw the visitors lead at the break 2-1 to 4-6.
In goals Lorcan Rowntree pulled off some great saves and with Niall McManus, Jason Duffy and Eoin Campbell repelling the Clonduff attacks, supplying the forwards of Senan Rogan, Malachi Sherwin, Gerard McConville and Danny McManus with plentiful supply of the sliotar, it was the linking play of Eoin Gorman, Tiernan Fitzpatrick and Oliver Murdock that helped keep Patrick Rankins in control of the game as the game finished with a 24 point win going into their next game against Kilclief on Friday.
Team: Lorcan Rowntree, Jason Duffy, Niall McManus, Eoin Campbell, Eoin Gorman, Tiernan Fitzpatrick, Oliver Murdock, Danny Doyle 4-8, Senan Rogan, Malachi Sherwin, Gerard McConville, Danny McManus, Ciaran McMahon 0-2, Jamie Lock 2-1, Charlie Phelan 1-0, Conor Treanor 0-1
Club News
GAA for All:
Sunday 1st August saw another morning full of fun, friendship, and laughter for our 'GAA for All' group whose numbers continue to grow each week. A massive thank-you to all of our coaches and volunteers who help make these sessions such a success and a special word of thanks to local Councillor, Mark Gibbons, for his recent kind donation of bottled-water for everyone.
**New members are always very welcome - if you feel that your child would enjoy and benefit from participating in 'GAA for All' please contact our club 'GAA for All' coordinator for further details: declancarvill@yahoo.co.uk
U20 Ulster Champions
Congratulations to club representatives Cian McLoughlin and Sean O’Hare who were part of the U20 championship panel who won at the weekend.
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