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Armagh's Mark Shields has committed to another season with the Orchard County
Game-time was limited this season, but the 33-year-old has made an impressive 103 appearances over 11 seasons, having missed much of 2021 after suffering a hamstring injury, which required surgery and an intense rehab programme. He returned from injury to play in the big wins over Dublin and Tyrone in Division One of the National League and the St Killian’s Whitecross man also featured in the Championship.
“It was tough losing to Galway in the manner we did, but we showed that we are not too far away from where we want to be and I want to do my part to help the team build towards that next season,” said Shields.
There is no doubt that the versatile Shields has plenty to offer the relatively young Orchard squad on and off the pitch.
The attacking-wing back for county is likely feature at midfield for his club as Whitecross chase their first league win of the season ahead of an Intermediate championship against neighbours Shane O’Neill’s next month.
Shields helped launch the St Killian’s Whitecross Barry Malone Memorial Golf Day, sponsored by Walltech Plastering and Drylining, which takes place in under two weeks at Ashfield Golf Club, Cullyhanna on Saturday, August 6.
The St Killian’s Whitecross Barry Malone Golf Day will follow a four-man scramble format, with a cost of £120 per team. Tee off slots are booking up fast, so get in touch ASAP to reserve your time. Green Sponsorships are sold out but £50 tee box sponsorships are still available for individuals, companies and family’s.
Great prizes will be presented on the day.
Barry Malone was a committed St Killian’s club member and avid Armagh supporter, who died in an incident at work in 2012 and in 2013 Ashfield Golf course hosted the inaugural Barry Malone Memorial Golf Day.
Contact: Michael Malone: 07516224073 info@wall-tech.co.uk
Brendan Murphy: 07516 228402
P McGuinness: 07512731860 or any committee member.
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Entry numbers for next month’s Newry based Modern Tyres Ulster Rally are steadily building, with many of the top drivers from the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship among those set to tackle the event.
Taking place on the weekend of August 19 and 20, the Northern Ireland Motor Club meeting will host the seventh and final round of the cross-border series, which Josh Moffett currently leads.
The County Monaghan man tops the points’ standings following victories at the season-opening Galway International Rally, March’s West Cork Rally and June’s Donegal International Rally.
The Hyundai i20 R5 driver – who was recently crowned Irish National Rally champion – will face competition on the Ulster lanes from a trio of Volkswagen Polo GTI R5s piloted by Welshman Meirion Evans and the Northern Irish duo of Trillick’s Alastair Fisher and Claudy’s Callum Devine.
Although he is not registered for the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, Darren Gass is a former champion and should also go well on home soil at the wheel of his Citroen Racing C3 Rally2 car.
Looking ahead to the event, Modern Tyres-backed driver Alastair Fisher said: “The Ulster Rally is a classic event with top class stages and organisation. The stages always offer up a big challenge for competitors, normally with a balance of technical and fast sections. And the night stage throws another element into the mix, so we will have to be on our toes for that.
“With Modern Tyres the headline sponsor, it is important to have our car on the start-line and hopefully we’ll still be fighting for the Tarmac Championship to make things more interesting.”
Competitors are being reminded by Event Director Philip Murray that there is still time for those wishing to take part, to register their interest before the August 4 deadline. “The response so far has been very positive. We are very happy with the calibre of crews – and cars – that are going to be making the trip to Newry in just a few weeks’ time,” said Murray.
"We have two days of exciting competition planned – including the return of a night stage – more details on which will be announced in the coming days. My message to those wishing to be part of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is: please submit your entry on, or before, August 4.”
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All roads lead to Jack Mackin Park, Newry this Saturday 30 July when local sporting stars from the 80's and 90's will be gathering to raise funds in support of one of their own while raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease.
Organised by St John Bosco GFC the event is in support of their club member and Down star Marty Lynch and his battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
Marty played at every level for Down, a proud Newry Gael, Marty captained Down U21 to Ulster Championship in 1984 and it is hoped many of that team will join us on the day. He played with distinction for Down seniors from 1983 to 1988, a respected and 100% committed competitor for club and county Marty played to late 90’s and helped Bosco secure the Down Intermediate championship in 1996. Just part of this talented sportsman varied sporting resume in our town.
Legends4Lyncho will feature just that, some of the greatest local Gaels from the 80’s who played with or against Marty will shoot it out in a penalty competition and crossbar challenge against some of the greatest players from Down, Armagh and Ulster ever to play the game.
The four local Newry clubs, Bosco, Shamrocks, Mitchel’s and Ballyholland will roll out (literally) their greatest stars from the 80’s and early 90’s for the challenge. Competing against them will be Down legends featuring Greg Blaney, Mickey Linden, 1994 All Ireland captain DJ Kane, Michaela Downey, Greg McCartan and legendary goalkeeper Neil Collins to name a few. Armagh contingent includes Benny Tierney, Oisin McConville and Stephen McDonald and there will be Ulster stars like Sean Kavanagh and special guests including Frank Mitchell. Hopefully Frank brings the weather!!
How will the local lads bear up against some of the greatest ever to play the game – only way to find out is join us on the day for the craic and the banter and to raise much need funds for MND.
There will also be an Under 9 tournament between Bosco and Shane O’Neills starting at 3pm, so come early and see the next generation of Down and Armagh stars in the making.
Saturday 30 July, 3.30pm Jack Mackin Park – Big crowds expected so come early.
MND collection at the gate.
Follow them on twitter and Facebook - Legends4Lyncho
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HURLING NEWS
JHC Rd1: Seniors first round win for the blues
Cumann Pheadaír Naofa 3-17
East Belfast 0-7
A goal in the nineteenth minute from John O’Kane seemed to settle a nervy Blues opening few minutes in this first round of the 2022 JHC. Indeed, the opening few minutes was like a game of chess as both East Belfast and the hosts probed each other’s defence score for score with Oisin Kelly & O’Kane matching early scores from East Belfast’s Conor McCurdy, Tony Ferris & Joe Clifford as the two sides stood toe to toe, score for score inside the first fifteen minutes.
East Belfast, although having plied their hurling in a division lower than their hosts Warrenpoint, looked totally unphased, as they sought out Joe Clifford & McCurdy to break the blues hearts and cause the first upset of the 2022 championship season. But as the game passed the eighteenth minute mark Oisin Kelly won a puckout, ahead of East Belfast’s Ronan Rushe, soloed through and popped the sliotar through to an unmarked O’Kane, to give him the easiest of tasks, finishing to the net for the opening goal and see Warrenpoint gain the upper hand with a three-point lead.
East Belfast side struggled with their hosts movement and with Jason Grey, Matthew Duffy & Allie Higgins dictating defensive proceedings the visitors scoring soon dried up, as they had to be content with half chances from distance.
The sides called a halt to the first thirty minutes proceedings with Warrenpoint leading 1-9 to 0-3.
East Belfast, defiantly grabbed the opening score of the second half inside the opening seconds with a Cormac Rushe 30m strike before the Blues knew what had happened. East Belfast rallied and were unfortunate not to have narrowed the contest with their efforts over the opening few minutes of the second half.
But with seven minutes played Warrenpoint pulled ahead further, O’Kane once more winning an aerial battle against corner back Ronan Rushe, playing a one-two, that saw him totally open and with only Michael McNicholl to beat finished to the net with aplomb.
The Blues, now in a commanding position, rattled over the next few points and when second half replacement Emmet McCourt latched onto a pass down the left wing, the fleet footed attacker flew down the line, cut in and slashed the sliotar to the far corner of the net, as McNicholl vainly tried to deflect it wide of the posts to give the hosts an unassailable 3-13 to 0-6 lead and only fifteen minutes remaining.
As the game started to draw to a close the final few minutes saw Warrenpoint complete the story with Daryl Freer, Ronan Cunningham & O’Kane seal a nineteen-point win.
The focus now turns to Kilclief in two weeks’ time, who were defeated by a youthful Castlewellan in today’s earlier fixture, as the contenders for the JHC title is well and truly under way.
Cumann Pheadaír Naofa: A O’Brien, T Magee, J Grey, M Duffy, D O’Neill, A Higgins, J Beggs, M Rafferty (0-1), C Teague, J O’Hare, J Grant (0-2), T Kelly, J O’Kane (2-5), O Kelly (0-5), R Cunningham (0-3)
Subs: E McCourt (1-0) for T Kelly, C O’Neill for Beggs, T Daly for O’Hare, M Murphy for Magee, D Freer (0-1) for Grant
MENS FOOTBALL NEWS
New Jerseys bring out the "Best" in U13 Footballers !
Olivia Best of Best Estate Agents Warrenpoint presented a new set of jerseys to our U13 Footballers this evening prior to our Championship group game v Clann na banna. The boys did the jersey proud, winning 5.09 to 0.09.
Many thanks to Bests for the Jersey sponsorship & for taking a pitchside ad board in Pairc Liam Ui ir. Thanks indeed to all our sponsors for the ongoing support.
LADIES FOOTBALL NEWS
U10 Ladies
The U10 LGFA team welcomed Ballyholland this morning for the next round of fixtures in St Marks. In brilliant weather and two pitches side by side the 24 Point ladies put in an awesome performance. With one team mostly of u8's it was a fantastic display all round. Thanks for the large family support and Ballyholland for the game. This is Ballyholland's first year in LGFA and we hope to have more games together over the years.
U14 Ladies
Warrenpoint U14 ladies played out a very entertaining friendly away to neighbours Rostrevor this morning. In drizzly conditions, where both teams struggled at times to hold on to a slippery ball, the Blues got off to the better start, but Rostrevor pulled back to head into the break 3-5 apiece. Some good scores from both sides kept the game in the balance but great defending from Warrenpoint and another superb display in goal by Hollie Rice, kept the Blues in the driving seat. A tally of 4-5 from Lucy Elmore, 2-5 from Katie Poland, 0-2 from Emily Kane and a point each from Grace Lunny and Evie O'Loughlin brought the final score to 6.14 to 6.8 in favour of Warrenpoint. Excellent displays across the field by all the Blues made for a great result against a formidable Rostrevor side.
Many thanks to Rostrevor for the game.
Camogie News
U12 camogs played their last away match against Carryduff on Saturday morning.
The girls put the Carryduff players under a lot of pressure. The scores were close after the first half but Carryduff scored a few extra goals in the second half to win in what was a very challenging match at times. Although, the girls can feel proud as they put in a brilliant performance making the club proud as always .
U6s,8s and 10s welcomed AnRiocht on Friday evening for a great night of youth camogie.
G4MO News
The G4MO crew took to the road for their latest excursion on Friday evening, heading to South Armagh to play Culloville. Nice weather conditions allowed some great skills to be showcased, from both sets of players. There was no shortage of effort, determination, screams of delight & a good handful of laughs. Spectators were treated to a fine evening of sporting entertainment as well as some special moves rarely seen on a Gaelic pitch.
Many thanks to Culloville Blues Gac for being such welcoming hosts.
Support The Lotto
Our lotto sales are something which has been supported by loyal members for years and it continues to help fund club activities and help towards the running of our ever growing club. Now it is easier than ever before to buy a ticket, simply log onto www.klubfunder.com and search for Warrenpointgaa. £1 a week makes a massive difference to us, please support the lotto and even try and sell some. Current jackpot is £5500.
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The International TaeKwon-Do Federation hosted the World Championships in Amsterdam last week with two out of the five Irish Gold Medal recipients from the Cathal Fegan Schools of TaeKwon-Do based in Newry and Silverbridge. Another of their team also took home Bronze.
The world champions were Rachael Carvill, Captain of the Irish U18 Girls Team who took Gold in Junior Female Hyper Weight Sparring and Ethan O'Kane, Captain of the Irish U18 boys team who took Gold in Junior Male Light Weight Sparring.
Silverbridge woman, Aoife Loye, Captain of the Irish Womens Team also took a Bronze Medal in the Championships.
Rachael from Mayobridge also plays U14 football for Mayobridge GAC and the club and her sponsor Airtastic literally moved mountains to help facilitate her training, moving matches and training times.
Explaining how it felt getting the medal she said "It was class. You don't even realise how it feels like until it happens, it was so good." She is already aiming for another gold in the World Championships in 3 years time!
Ethan from Hilltown believes all the help from the Newry Club paid off and winning the medal had him stuck for words. "I was speechless. I worked really hard. I had all the help from CFTKD, all the students and instructors helping me. It really paid off and felt really good." he said.
Out of the Irish team of 58 in Amsterdam 10 came from the Cathal Fegan Schools of TaeKwon-Do, 6 from Newry and 4 from Silverbridge. There are about 150 students across both clubs and beginner classes are held throughout the year.
Over the last 15 years they have won 17 World Champions, including this weeks additions but these two were their first ITF Black Belt Junior World Championship Medals.
Explaining the Club's motivation Fegan said "Four years ago we came back from the World Championships and Aoife showed her medal and I said, this is your motivation guys, and four years later Ethan and Rachael are sitting here with Gold Medals."
Rachael was there that day and wore the medal and as her parents explained 'she wanted it'
The other three members of the Irish Team who brought home Gold were James Dwyer, World Champion in Senior Male Heavyweight Sparring; Paul Manning, World Champion in Senior Male Welter Weight Sparring and Christian McCabe, World Champion in Pre Junior Male Light Weight Sparring.
With the European Championships in 2023 in Belfast and the World Championships in 2025, no one would bet against the Newry and Silverbridge based Club making many more appearances on the winners podium.
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Used Cars NI has been announced as one of the co-sponsors of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally, which takes place in Newry on August 19 and 20.
Established in 2006, Used Cars NI has quickly grown. At any one time, the website features over 18,000 cars from all the leading manufacturers.
Stephen Kelly – the Chief Executive Officer of Used Cars NI – said: “After the success of last year, we are delighted to renew our sponsorship of the Ulster Rally for 2022. It is a pleasure to be associated with such a high-profile event and we look forward to the latest chapter in its rich and storied history. We are sure this will prove to be a great couple of days out for spectators and we would like to wish all the competitors the very best of luck.”
Welcoming Used Cars NI back on board, Ulster Rally Event Director Philip Murray said: “We are very pleased to continue our association with Used Cars NI – a trusted and reliable source for any Northern Ireland motorist that is in the market and looking to change their car.
“Many of the manufacturers listed on the Used Cars NI website will be represented in different guises at this year’s Ulster Rally. There will be everything from the latest Rally2 superminis from Ford, Citroen, Volkswagen and Hyundai to iconic, historic-spec cars from yesteryear.”
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The coaching team and members of Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo club Warrenpoint are making final preparations with long time club Member Dawid Jurkiewicz. Dawid will be making his way to the Veterans World championships in Kraków Poland from 8 to 11 September.
This is another day in the office for Dawid, who is an accomplished competitor on the world stage. Dawid is a leading light within the clubs competition team.
A few of Dawid's previous records include: Veterans European Championships Glasgow 2018 - placed 7th in -90kg; Veterans European Championships Marrakech 2019; Third International tournament of Olympic champion Pawel Nastula Poland 2019- Gold -81kg; International Polish Masters 2019 Silver -81kg; 52nd North West Open International Gold Veterans, Silver Seniors; Northern Ireland open International Gold; Irish International; Silver Masters.
As a Judo club Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo club have been embedded in the Warrenpoint and Burren area for over 50 years. They have had many of the local youth of each generation pass through the doors and have always been proud of their ability to support members.
However in todays turbulent times when the bills rise and travelling to and from competitions and the additional training is much more expensive it makes things more difficult. The Club are pleased to advise that Warrenpoint Credit Union have offered sponsorship to the value of £250 to help Dawid to the world championships.
Dawid will be using these much needed funds towards his training, travelling and competition entry costs.
If you would like to come onboard as a sponsor for Dawid or for the club please feel free to reach out.
If you or your child would like to join the club they currently have spaces open in both kids and adult classes.
Why not checkout their Judo page on Facebook, simply search Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo.
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Next week’s Newry based Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is switching back to its popular two-day format on 19 and 20 August, with a night stage on the Friday evening promising to add to the challenge for those taking part and the excitement for the thousands of people who are expected to line the route.
The Northern Ireland Motor Club event has traditionally started late on Friday afternoon and concluded the following day and that format is returning in this its 45th year. Event Director Philip Murray says the re-think follows talks between competitors and officials from the rally.
“A single day rally proved popular and it was very successful but the team running this year’s Ulster Rally much prefer the idea of a two-day event. That train of thought has been backed up by competitors,” explained Murray. “A two-day event differentiates it from other events here in Northern Ireland. As for the stages themselves, they are of an exceptionally high quality.”
The Friday leg commences at 5pm and consists of three special stages in both the Newry and Loughbrickland areas, with the highlight being the challenging 15-mile ‘Bronte Homeland’ test. On the Saturday, two loops of three stages totalling the best part of 70 competitive miles are set to challenge crews who will travel from across the UK and Ireland to take part.
“The Saturday stages last appeared on the Ulster Rally some 15 years ago,” Murray explained
“They are a good mix of fast roads and tight, twisty sections. They are demanding, they have a bit of everything – the exact type of roads you relish as a driver because they challenge you.
“As for the Friday stage running in the dark, the Ulster Rally is renowned for that. When we sat down to start planning the route for this year’s event it was agreed that every crew should run in the dark,” he added. “That was important because a night stage is not all that common now.”
The 2022 Ulster Rally begins with a ceremonial start at Modern Tyres’ state-of-the-art facility in Newry’s Carnbane Industrial Estate, with the same location hosting the post-rally celebrations. This will also be the venue for the service park where fans of all ages can see the cars up close.
Spectators will have further opportunities to see the cars, and meet the drivers and co-drivers at rally regroups in Banbridge town centre on Friday, August 19 at 6.30pm and again at Armagh City Hotel car park from 11.45 the following morning.
Those wishing to follow the action on both days will be able to do so by visiting the Ulster Rally website www.ulsterrally.co.uk or Facebook page www.facebook.com/ulsterrally
Results and commentary will also form part of the live action across the weekend.
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The 2022 Ulster Rally began with a ceremonial start at Modern Tyres’ state-of-the-art facility in Newry’s Carnbane Industrial Estate earlier today, with the same location hosting the post-rally celebrations. This will also be the venue for the service park where fans of all ages can see the cars up close.
Spectators will have further opportunities to look around the cars, and meet the drivers and co-drivers at rally regroups in Banbridge town centre tonight Friday, August 19 at 6.30pm and again at Armagh City Hotel car park from 11.45 the following morning.
All eyes will be on Josh Moffett at this weekend’s Modern Tyres Ulster Rally as he aims to wrap up the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title for a second time after seven hard-fought events. A winner of the title in 2018, the Monaghan man will be assured of glory for a second time if he ends either the Friday or Saturday leg of the Ulster as the highest-placed points scoring driver.
However, given his pace and consistency in what has been a remarkable year for Moffett so far, few would bet against him making it victory number five in the cross-border series. Already, he has won February’s Galway International Rally, the West Cork Rally over St Patrick’s weekend, June’s three-day Donegal International and July’s Cork ‘20’ International. He has also earned consecutive runner-up results at the Circuit of Ireland and Killarney International rallies.
It means he enjoys a sizeable 32-point lead over Meirion Evans in second place – the only one who can deny him the crown at the Newry-based meeting. For that to happen, the Welshman – at the controls of a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 – must claim maximum points on both days of the Tarmac classic and hope that Moffett’s Hyundai i20 R5 hits trouble – or finishes fifth or lower at the end of Friday and again on Saturday.
A four-horse race for the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship crown has been whittled down to two as Claudy’s Callum Devine has opted to miss the Northern Ireland Motor Club showpiece after failing to bank the second victory of 2022 he so desperately needed on last month’s Cork ’20’ International.
Another non-starter is Alastair Fisher – the nephew of four-time Ulster Rally winner, Bertie. His title prospects were snuffed out early on the final day of the Cork ‘20’ International while leading when he damaged the suspension on his Modern Tyres liveried Volkswagen Polo. “We won’t be competing this time around,” he confirmed. “Of course, we’re disappointed not to be supporting the event on this occasion.”
Other standout Rally2/R5 drivers include reigning Northern Ireland champion Jonathan Greer (Citroen C3 Rally2) and former Northern Ireland Rally champion Stuart Biggerstaff (Ford Fiesta R5), multiple rally winner Desi Henry (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and the experienced Alan Carmichael (Hyundai i20 R5).
The Irish Tarmac Rally Championship’s Rally4, Modified and Historic titles will also be decided on the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally. The Junior trophy’s already been settled in Ryan MacHugh’s favour after he completed the penultimate counter in Cork despite fuel distributor issues dropping him to the back of the field. He persevered, however, and went on to score the points he needed to get the title over the line.
Those wishing to follow the action on both days will be able to do so by visiting the Ulster Rally website (www.ulsterrally.co.uk) or Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/ulsterrally). Results and commentary will also form part of the live action across the weekend.
Modern Tyres Ulster Rally – Top 10 seeds
1. Josh Moffett / Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5)
2. Meirion Evans / Jonathan Jackson (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5)
3. Jonathan Greer / Niall Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2)
4. Desi Henry / Paddy Robinson (Ford Fiesta Rally2)
5. Jason Mitchell / Paddy McCrudden (Ford Fiesta Rally2)
6. Stuart Biggerstaff / Anthon Nestor (Ford Fiesta R5)
7. Alan Carmichael / Arthur Kierans (Hyundai i20 R5)
8. Niall Henry / Barney Mitchell (Citroen C3 R5)
9. Michael McGarrity / Damian Garvey (Skoda Fabia R5)
10. Cal McCarthy / Eric Calnan (Citroen DS3 R5)
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