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MLA Sinéad Ennis has reiterated calls for the BBC to introduce a highlights programme of Club championship games here in the north.
The Culture, Arts and Sport spokesperson for Sinn Fein said “Gaelic games is the largest spectator sport in the north of Ireland but continues to be ignored when it comes to TV coverage.
“There is a massive energy and enthusiasm surrounding GAA club championship games with large crowds turning out to watch the games.
“However, this momentum is matched with frustration among GAA fans at what they feel is decades of neglect by BBC in terms of televising and mainstreaming Gaelic games.
Ms Ennis feels the BBC can do more to ensure there is equal access to GAA coveragen “As club championships reach the final stage and the Ulster championships begin we are calling on the BBC increase investment and coverage of Gaelic games.”
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Senior Men
It was disappointment for our senior men in the championship semi-final on Sunday afternoon, losing out by one point to St Peter’s in the Athletic Grounds, 0 – 11 to 1 – 7.
It was a cagey opening from both sides and it was a full seven minutes before Connaire Mackin got the first point of the game with a pointed free with St Peter’s equalising soon after with a pointed free of their own. The Lurgan side went ahead minutes later with their second point of the game with Marc Feehan replying for the Shane’s before a great turn and shot from David McCabe saw the ball sail between the posts to put the Camlough men in front. A Paul O’Rourke free extended the Shane’s advantage to two before a late St Peter’s point saw them trail by one at the break, 0 - 4 to 0 – 3.
A Connaire Mackin free got the Shanes’s off to a great start in the second-half before some great work from Ciaran Mackin led to half-time substitute Mark McCabe firing the ball home to give his side a five-point advantage. A great Connaire Mackin point extended his team’s lead to six with still more than twenty minutes left on the clock. Three points in row got St Peter’s back to within three before a great solo effort from Paudie Hillen put the Shane’s four to the good again but this proved to be their final score of the contest. St Peter’s finished the game the stronger side and, with the wind at their backs, they fired over five unanswered points in the final ten minutes to claim the win by the narrowest of margins, 0 – 11 to 1 – 7.
Now that the senior football has ended for the season the club would to thank all the senior players and their management team for all their hard work and commitment throughout the year. Despite Sunday’s result it was ultimately a very successful season which saw the lads gain promotion and they will be playing their football in Intermediate Division 2A next year.
Minor Girls
Our minor girl’s championship semi-final will take place on Sunday 14th October against Armagh Harps or Clan na Gael. The game is schedule to throw-in at 12 noon with a venue still to be confirmed.
Underage Winter Training Schedule
U6’s: Tuesday evening in Bessbrook Community Centre from 6.00pm – 7.00pm – contact Yasmin Mackin on 07927 933548
U8’s: Friday evening at the field from 6.00pm – 7.00pm – contact Albie Kelly on 00353 873388332
U10’s & U12’s: Wednesday evening in Scared Heart Boxing Club gym, Loughbrook Industrial Estate, Green Road from 7.00pm – 8.00pm – contact Dee Beattie on 07733 405769
U14 & U16 Boys: Sunday morning at the field from 11.15am – 12.15pm – contact Seamy O’Hare on 07816 268077
U12 Girls: Wednesday evening in Cloughreagh Community Centre from 7.15pm – 8.15pm – contact James Feehan on 07864 783211
U14 Girls: Starting Sunday 18 November at the field from 10.30am – 11.30am – contact James Feehan on 07864 783211
U16 & Minor Girls: Staring Monday 12 November at Est 28 gym, Bessbrook with a time still to be confirmed – contact Tara Byrne on 07397 540087 or Peter Lynch on 07876 453546
Annual Dinner Dance
The club’s annual dinner dance will take place this year on Saturday 3rd November in the Canal Court Hotel.
Annual Emmet Byrne Memorial Quiz
Well done to the Shane O’Neill’s team who won the annual Emmet Byrne memorial quiz in Doyle’s, Camlough on Thursday. It was nip and tuck right throughout the quiz but the Shane’s nudged themselves ahead with a couple of rounds remaining. A new trophy was on offer on Thursday and it was fitting that Shane O’Neill’s will be the first name on it as Emmet was the club secretary for a number of years. All proceeds raised on the night went to the Ellen’s Journey charity.
Paddy Lynch Memorial Cup
The annual Paddy Lynch Memorial Cup darts competition will take place in the club on Sunday 18 November. The competition will take format of the best of 3 legs, with double in double out. Registration begins at 1.00pm with the first darts scheduled to be thrown at 2.00pm. Entry fee is £5.00, with a £300 prize fund and all proceeds raised will go to Children with Diabetes.
Lotto
Last week’s winning lotto numbers were 1, 13, 16 & 21. There were no jackpot winners and 2 x match three winners. The jackpot now stands at £2,250.
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Racing this weekend was not about the quantity of events but a showcase of quality performances.
NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships- Belfast
Newry turned out 3 Senior teams (1 Female and 2 Male) for the Annual NI & Ulster Road Relay Championships held on Saturday.
This is a highly competitive and respected event showcasing all the NI Clubs top calibre athletes.
The Athletes representing Newry AC were:
1) Esther Dickson
2) Ciara Coffey
3) Aislinn Crossey
Reserve: Sarah Jane Beattie
1) Gary Crummy
2) John McCaffrey
3) Hughie Mackin
4) Rory Mulvaney
1) Johnny Gregg
2) Lee Maginnis
3) Andrew Knapton
4) Paul Le Blanc
All the Senior men ran good, strong and consistent laps. Team 1 finished in 16th place and Team 2 finished in 21st place out of a large competitive field of 36 teams. Gary Crummy has a fantastic run with a lap time of 10:57.
The Senior women were outstanding, just missing podium 3rd place by 18 seconds with a 4th place finish in a time of 37.06.
Esther went out hard and ran an impressive 6.03 for each lap and handed off to Ciara, just back from illness, and she ran 6.28 for each lap and got up to fifth. Aislinn gained even more seconds and ground to secure 4th place for the ladies. Another few metres and she would have definitely got the ladies a podium finish. This was a debut road race for Aislinn and her first race since winning Irish u23 1500m over two years ago.
Well done Newry AC, great performances and a big thank you for all the side line support.
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Newry Ladies Olympic Hockey 1ST XI off to a Winning start!
On Saturday 29th September, Newry Olympic Hockey Ladies 1st XI travelled to Strathearn, Belfast to play Malone 1ST XI in their first match of Ulster Hockey Senior 3 League. Newry started brightly in their first competitive game of the new season and were on the attack from the whistle and thanks to some lovely one two play from Becky Murdock and Laura Simpson in defence, the ball was filtered through to midfield players Kathryn Baird (captain) and Rachael Greer who drove up into the Malone circle Newry put the Malone keeper under pressure, thanks to a high press from forwards Shannen Robinson, Stephanie Smart and Laverne Inns in the Malone circle with shots coming from all angles. Inns secured the first corner but her attempt was too high from the resulting shot. However Newry kept the attack up and thanks to the beautiful play of centre midfield Rachael Greer who weaved her way through numerous Malone players and with a reverse shot on goal, put Newry into the lead around the fourteen minute point. Malone battled back and Newry were forced to defend against a very strong attack by the Malone forwards but Newry Ladies Lynne Ervine and Victoria Lewis kept their composure and drove the ball out of the Newry circle up to Anna Murphy in midfield and with a quick pass from Inns in centre out to the left wing, Robinson scored Newry’s second goal right on the half-time whistle.
During the second half Malone came back out with a gritted determination but Newry goalie, Collette Lambe kept Malone forwards at bay supported by swift clearance by sweeper Laura Simpson. Newry mid Murphy slipped the ball through to Caralyn Ferris in centre who continued to keep the pressure on the Malone defence with shots on goal. With two minutes left, Newry mids Greer and Baird played the ball across the top of the circle to Inns who won the final corner for Newry. The injection came out to Robinson who walloped the ball right past the Malone keeper to score a second for Newry making it three nil as the whistle went. Player of the match went to Shannen Robinson.
Final score Newry 3 Malone 0
Team: Collette Lambe (Goals) Kathryn Baird (Captain), Laura Simpson. Victoria Lewis, Becky Murdock, Anna Murphy, Lynne Ervine, Rachael Greer, Stephanie Smart, Shannen Robinson, Caralyn Ferris, Laverne Inns and Suzy Rollins (Coach)
Instonians 1XI 2-1 Newry 1XI
Newry’s opposition didn’t get any easier as they traveled to Belfast to take on Instonians hoping to make up for a dismal home display against Kilkeel last week.
The visitors flew out of the traps putting the home side under pressure and won a short corner early on, John Taylor fired in a rocket of a drag flick with struck the underside of the bar and crossed the line, the umpires missed this and waved play on with Newry feeling rightly aggrieved. However they kept battling and only minutes later Newry did take the lead with a very smart finish from Matty Russell when he flicked the ball over the advancing keeper and tap it in.
Instonians started to up the pressure and began playing the ball around the back which Newry were happy to let them do. With fifteen minutes gone they got back on level terms when Newry had a played down injured in the circle the hosts played on and the free man at the back post was able to tap in unopposed. They made it two 5 minutes later with a low drag flick beating the keeper and defenders on the line.
In the second period Newry again piled on the pressure restricting Inst’ to just a couple of break away chances, one of which resulted in Richard McGivern a late replacement for the injured Lindsay Beck pulling off one of the saves of the season before Greer took a short corner off the line to keep the score 2-1. John Taylor seen another short corner attempt rebound off the frame of the goal with the keeper beaten all ends up, and when a deflected cross was touched onto the post by the keeper a few minutes later it looked like it just was not going to be Newry’s day.
The game ended 2-1 but it could have so easily been different with Newry unlucky not to come away with at least 1 point.
Team: R.McGivern, C. Henning, S. Megaw, J. Greer, R. Irwin, J. Taylor, N. McKnight, N. Davenport, C. McKnight, K. McWilliams, M. Russell, K. Fletcher, K. McCombe, A. Baird
Newry 2’s 3-2 Bangor 2’s
Newry’s first home game of the new season seen them host Bangor 2nds on Saturday as they took all three points.
The visitors started slowly allowing Newry to take an early lead when Michael McCullough played in Simon McCaffert who’s missed hit shot trickled past the Bangor keeper. This seemed to waken Bangor as they hit back almost immediately catching the Newry defence and midfield sleeping to make it 1-1. Both sides cancelled each other out for the remainder of the first half with neither bale to create a clear cut chance.
Bangor started strongly in the second half but veteran John Lawson in defence keep Newry in the game showing great composure at the back. However Bangor did finally make the break through midway through the second half. With their backs against the wall the home side came out fighting again and when McCullough and Jonny McWilliams linked up well they found found Alex Irwin at the edge of the circle who finished well and got the score line back on level terms. With the pressure building on the Bangor defence and time running out Newry won a short corner in the last minute. Jonny McWilliams to fire home his first goal in five years after returning to hockey to give Newry all three points in a hard fought victory.
Team: Collum, J. Lawson, M.McCaigue, G. Alderdice, D. Liggett, S. Graham, J.Porter, M.McCullough, A. Irwin, S. McCafferty, J. McWilliams, A. Marks, E. Graham, A. McMinn
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Newry AC athletes were back out as the winter season of running commences. Athletes travelled to destinations in England, South of Ireland, the Mournes, Newcastle and Co. Armagh. Events varied from Mountains, Orienteering, Cross Country and Road Running.
Tuesday 25th September
School’s Cross Country - Kibroney Park, Rostrevor
Club Juniors Chloe O’Hare and Anna Fegan competed in the first of the school cross country events of the season at Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor on Tuesday. Both girls had good runs and this is good preparation of the winter trail and cross country racing. No results or placings were available.
Saturday 29th September
Ford 5k - Newcastle
Sarah Jane Beattie and Jonny Gregg attended the flat and fast annual Ford 5k Road Race on Saturday. Jonny finished in 7th place in a time of 17:43 and lifted a 1st MV45 prize. Sarah Jane finished in 36th place in time of 21:37.
Annaghmore 5k
Lee Maginnis took part in the well-attended Annual Annaghmore Running Festival just outside Portadown. Lee competed in the 5k event of which he lifted 2nd place in a time of 18:42.
NIMRA Buzzards Roost Race, Mournes
Paul Le Blanc and Noel Carr took to the Mourne Mountains to run the final race of the NIMRA Championship 2018 Series with fabulous dry and sunny conditions. The race started from Carrick Little Lane, over the trails to the Lamagan Cove col, up and over Lamagan and down its boulder fields to the trail crossroads and up the mighty Binnian before a descending sprint to the finish. Paul completed the race with a time of 1:32:35 in 21st place and lifting 2nd MV55. Noel completed with a time of 1:36:36 in 28th place and taking 4th MV40.
Sunday 30th September
Rathfarnham 5km Road Race
Racing duo Hughie Mackin and John McCaffrey travelled down to Rathfarnham to compete in the 5k Road Race. They both had a great run with Hughie flying in at a great time of 17:58 and John following on his heels with a time of 18:12.
TJ McElmeel Cup Cross Country Event, Armagh
Esther Dickson kicked off the first of the cross country season events with a challenging 6k race at the Palace Demesne, Armagh. With a packed programme organised by Armagh AC and a new event for the Cross Country Calendar, Esther took on a competitive field of runners. She completed the race with a 5th placing and a training benchmark for the next few months of the winter race season.
Saturday/Sunday 29th/30th September
Junior Inter Regional Orienteering Championships – Derbyshire, England
Club Junior Meadow McCauley donned the Northern Ireland shirt for the NI Junior Orienteering Squad. They attended the Junior Inter Regionals Championships at the Chatworth Estate in Derbyshire this weekend. Meadow had a good performance in the individual race on the Saturday and had an outstanding performance with the relay team on Sunday. Orienteering requires the skill to navigate with map and compass in a race environment but also the tough training schedules that Newry AC coach Kookie O’Hagan sets Meadow, shows at competition level as she has the speed, endurance and strength to cover mountain and forest terrain as well as navigate. With the experience of these events, Meadow is chomping at the bit to join the Newry AC Hill and Dales Race Team as a Junior runner in Spring 2019.
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Senior Men
Our senior men booked their place in the Championship semi-final following a hard-fought two-point win over Clonmore in the Athletic Grounds on Saturday evening, 0 – 15 to 0 – 13.
Early points from Ciaran Mackin and Matthew Girvan got the Shane’s off to a great start with Clonmore registering their first score after eight minutes. The sides then swapped two points apiece with Connaire Mackin and Ryan Quinn getting the Shane’s scores with the two Clonmore points coming from placed balls. The Shane’s led by one at this stage before a brilliant Connaire Mackin point direct from a ’45 put the Shane’s two up but two points in as many minutes had Clonmore back on level terms with just over twenty minutes on the clock. Ryan Quinn slotted over his second point of the game to put the Shane’s back in front and this was quickly followed up by a Greg McCabe score but Clonmore responded with two points of their own to leave the sides all square at the break at seven points each.
An early second-half free saw Clonmore lead for the first time and they their stretched their advantage to two minutes later with their ninth point of the game but a brilliant run and point from Connaire Mackin kept the Shane’s right in touch. A tenth Clonmore point was quickly cancelled out by a Connaire Mackin free as the Shane’s remained one in arrears but another Clonmore free edged them further ahead. Another Connaire Mackin ’45, his second of the game, left just the minimum between the sides before some great work from substitute Mark McCabe played in Mackin to slot over from close range to tie the game at eleven points each. As Clonmore looked to go ahead again a brilliant interception from the impressive Ciaran Mackin made its way to Greg McCabe, who drove forward before popping the ball over the bar and put his side one to the good. A Connaire Mackin free increased the lead to two but it was quickly cancelled out by another Clonmore placed ball before a Shane’s break found Mark McCabe in space on the wing and he made no mistake as the ball sailed over the bar to restore his team’s two-point advantage. Another Clonmore free, their seventh of the game, saw them trail by just one as the game entered additional time but a late Connaire Mackin free sealed the Shane’ win, 0 – 15 and 0 – 13, and ultimately their place in the Intermediate Championship semi-final.
U16 Girls
Our U16 girls will continue this coming Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.00pm – 7.30pm in preparation for their Championship final next Saturday, 29th September against Killeavy in Carrickcruppen at 5.00pm.
U10’s
Our U10’s attended the annual Mayobridge Gallagher and McClory tournament on Saturday. The young Shane’s found themselves in a very tough group alongside a number of Down teams but some great football saw them beat Burren A, Ballyholland A and Saval A and through to the semi-final of the cup competition. Another Down team, this time Rostrevor, were their opponents but unfortunately for the young Shane’s, Rostrevor managed to get their noses in front early on. After a tight and fairly contested game Rostrevor managed to hold on to pip the Camlough side by the narrowest margins and deny them the chance to play host team Mayobridge in the final. The club would like to thank Mayobridge for the invitation and we look forward to competing again in the future. Well done to all the young Shane’s and their management team on a great display of football on Saturday.
Annual Minor Ladies 7-Aside Tournament
Our annual minor ladies 7-aside tournament was scheduled to take place on Saturday but unfortunately it was necessary to postpone it due to a number of clubs not being able to attend because of championship commitments and player unavailability. It is planned to run the tournament in 2019 as a pre-season tournament.
Annual Dinner Dance
The club’s annual dinner dance will take place this year on Saturday 3rd November in the Canal Court Hotel.
Lotto
Last week’s winning lotto numbers were 1, 13, 18 & 21. There were no jackpot winners and 3 x match three winners. The jackpot now stands at £2,150.
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A quiet week of racing for Newry AC, as the Athletes prepare for the incoming cross country season.
Saturday 22nd September - Armagh Parkrun
Meadow and Joanne McCauley took to Armagh Parkrun in Palace Demense for their Saturday morning training session.
A great course that’s a favourite for Meadow. There were a few obstacles created by Storm Ali but this did not deter any of the Park-runners. Meadow paced herself well round the hilly route coming in 1st Female and 11th overall. Mum, Joanne came in 6th Female and 30th overall.
Saturday 22nd September -Blackrock AC 4 Mile Road Race
Jonny Gregg competed in the highly competitive Blackrock AC 4 Mile Road Race on Saturday evening.
This is a race that is well supported by the local community and further afield in memory of Stephen Carroll and Captain Mark Duffy. It attracts top club runners which gives a great race to either spectate or run.
Jonny had a strong run performance resulting in a 28th placing (4th M40) in a time of 23:10 out of a race field of over 300.
Sunday 23rd September - Haldane Fisher Duathlon - Newry
Sarah Jane Beattie took part in the Haldane Fisher Duathlon in Newry on Sunday.
She gave a fantastic effort and was rewarded with 1st Female and a personal best of 1:11:43. A well deserved placing as Sarah Jane has consistently competed with great results in her Duathlon and Triathlon events this year.
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GAA coverage by the BBC is once again under the microscope with MLA Sinéad Ennis claiming the BBC is continuing to ignore GAA - the largest spectator sport on the island of Ireland.
“I welcome the BBC’s investment in coverage of local sporting fixtures through their partnership with the Irish Football Association.
“However, it’s abundantly clear that the BBC have once again ignored the largest spectator sport on the island of Ireland by failing to include any further investment for coverage of GAA championship games including GAA club games which regularly attract some of the biggest attendances in the north.
“There is anger among GAA fans and licence payers at what appears to be institutional bias within the BBC against Gaelic games.
“Over a quarter of a million people attend GAA matches in the north over the season with countless more wanting to watch or listen to the GAA coverage whether on the TV, radio or online.
“Sporting organisations and broadcasters have a responsibility to ensure there is equality of access to sporting coverage and this absolutely includes the 250,000 Gaels in the north.
“My colleague Chris Hazzard will be writing to the Director General of the BBC and I will be meeting with the BBC on Monday to raise our opposition to their decades of neglect towards televising and mainstreaming gaelic games”.
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Hooley Around Cooley Cycle
Our annual "Hooley Around Cooley" Cycle will take place on Sunday 30 September. Once again this year, local company "Euro Services" are supporting the event. All are welcome to participate in this enjoyable cycle around some of Ireland's most beautiful scenery. Registration @9am. Event starts at 10pm. Refreshments available prior to and after the Cycle. Registration fee is £15.
U8/10
Recently our U10s travelled to Killeavy for a friendly game. We played on a larger pitch to get in some practice for those young hurlers who are moving up to U12. Both sides played very well and good night was had by all.
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