St. Michael's G.A.C
www.stmichaelsgac.com

Scéim Deontais Gaeltachta 2009 - Down GAA Gaeltacht Grants Scheme 

Down students receive Gaeltacht Grants

GAA award Irish bursaries to 36 members

Down GAA County Board have presented grants to 36 recipients from the 2009 Gaeltacht Grants Scheme.  The grants have been awarded to school students (who are members of the GAA in Down) attending Irish Colleges/Courses in the summer of 2009.

The awards were presented at Dún Eigse in Castlewellan last week by John Devaney (Irish and Culture Officer with Down GAA Board).  Also in attendance were Eamon Mac Ruairí and Marcas Mac Ruairí (members of the Down GAA Irish Language Committee).

The Scéím Deontais Gaeltachta is an annual scheme which aims to aid school students in paying for their summer Gaeltacht course fees and according to John Devaney is “an important contribution as it alleviates some of the cost burden for these young people and their parents”.

“Gaeltacht courses and colleges play a very important role in the promotion and development of the Irish language and we are keen to promote the benefits to all young people, regardless of their knowledge or proficiency of the language”.

“Our scheme has grown year on year, and this time we have presented more grants than ever before.  There are 36 recipients who are members of 17 clubs from across the county.”

The next committee meeting will now take place on Tuesday 5th May, starting at 8.00pm

The ACFL Division 4 game between St. Michael's and Dromara will now take place on Thursday 30th April at 7.00pm.

Second League Win for St. Michael's with a 0-12 to 0-8 victory away to Ballykinler.

St. Michael's Senior Team opened up their league campaign with an home win over Aughlisnafinn.

Final Score:  St. Michael's 1-19 Aughlisnafinn 2-5

GAA FOUNDATION COURSE
Friday 3rd April (7.00pm) and Saturday 4th April (9.30am approx.)
at the clubrooms of St. Michael's GAC, Ballymacbredan Road, Magheralin.

also

CHILD PROTECTION COURSE
Tuesday 7th April  - 7.00pm
St. Michael's GAC Clubrooms
Ballymacbredan Road, Magheralin.

All are welcome

If anyone is interested please contact stmichaels@down.gaa.ie by the end of Wednesday 1st April.

Declan Boyle, a member of the St. Michael's U-12 set up, paid a special visit to Aras an Uachtrain on Thursday 19th February 2009 and met up with President Mary McAleese.  Declan recently won the Recitation competition at the Down County Scor Na n-Og final, and progressed to represent the county during the Ulster Heats.

President McAleese celebrates Scór milestone with Down winners

Scór participants to visit Áras an Uachtarán

When:           Thursday, 19^th February 2009 at 11.00am

Where:                   Áras an Uachtarán, Phoneix Park, Dublin

To mark the 40^th anniversary of Scór, President McAleese will host musicians, singers, reciters, dancers and officials from Co Down at Áras an Uachtarán today (11.00am).

Scór is the GAA’s principal cultural competition, which celebrates and promotes Irish traditional music, dance, poetry and drama through its club and county structures.  Each year it attracts thousands of young and old who compete in eight categories from local county semi finals through to the All-Ireland finals.

The 40^th anniversary coincides with the GAA’s 125^th anniversary celebrations.

President McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese will welcome the group at 11.00am today, and will be entertained by the Ballad Group from Saul, who will compete in the All-Ireland Scór na nÓg finals on Saturday in Athlone.

Down has a strong reputation at all levels of Scór.  Among those who will visit the President are the county winners of Scór na nÓg (U-17):

Ballad Group winners from Saul - All-Ireland finalists (will compete in the final in Athlone on Saturday)

Instrumental Music winners from Saul

Solo-Singing winner from Rostrevor

Recitation/Story-telling winner from St Michael’s

Ceilí Dancing winners from Ballyholland

Set Dancing winners from Warrenpoint

Novelty Act winners from Saul

The winning groups will be accompanied by club officers, Scór and GAA officials from the county.

Down’s GAA Culture Officer and Scór chairman John Devaney described the visit as “an important acknowledgment of the work that continues in promoting Irish culture through the clubs in the county.”

John stated that “the high levels of participation and the high standards prove that Scór is the most important vehicle within the GAA for maintaining and expressing culture through music, song, dance, poetry and drama.” 

“It has stood the test of time of 40 years, and despite the many competitive distractions, it is now stronger than it has been in years” he added.

St. Michael's GAC were pleased to learn that they have been awarded the South Down Club of the year for Scor N-og.  The trophy was handed over to the club at the South Down Scor Sinsear final that took place in the Saval complex on Sunday 15th February 2009.

THREE NEW CUPS PRESENTED AT SOUTH DOWN SCÓR FINALS
Saval Sports and Leisure Centre was packed to capacity on Sunday evening past for the finals of the South Down GAA Senior Scór competitions.

The capacity audience enjoyed four hours of music, song, dance and novelty and a feature was the presentation to the South Down GAA Board of three new memorial cups for the best in Scór na nÓg, Senior Scór, and Best Overall in South Down.

The Ceili Dancing section was keenly contested between the teams from Ballyholland, Clonduff, Saval and Glasdrumman with Ballyholland, fielding all-Ireland some of the winners from 25 years previously, beating Saval into second spot.

In the Solo Singing competition, James Brennan from Rostrevor and Siobhan McGivern proceeded to the next round in that order and in Instrumental Music with Tullylish, Drumgath, Mayobridge and Rostrevor in contention, Tullylish emerged in first place with the ’Bridge second. This competition was of a very high standard as well and could have gone either way because there would have been little to choose between the four teams on stage on the night.
Recitation was next with Declan McConaghy from Glenn and Paddy Duffy from Mayobridge getting the nod in that order over Clonduff’s Sean Downey and Claire McCartan from Atticall.

The Ballad Group competition is always eagerly awaited and this time it was no different. Rostrevor, Glenn, Ballyholland and Glasdrumman were competing with the Rostrevor and Glenn coming out on top.
In Novelty Acts, Clonduff with a very Irish twist on the recent presidential election result in the US pipped it over an equally enjoyable Ballyholland act which dealt with the proliferation of rural bachelordom and the efforts of the local curate to get his flock married off, resulting in much confusion amongst the farmers concerned.

The Atticall and Rostrevor Novelty acts dealt with marriage (again) and the making of illegal whiskey and probably in any other year would have had no trouble getting through to the next round.

Clonduff fielded two teams in the Set Dancing with their football representatives coming out on top. Rostrevor were second and we also had wonderful dancing exhibitions from both Warrenpoint and the Clonduff Camogie representatives who must wait another year.

In the Quiz Mayobridge won through over Ballyholland and once again took possession of the Gerry Fitzmaurice Quiz trophy. The other teams in the competition were Longstone and Glenn.

Following the Interval the audience was entertained by the Saul Scór na nÓg Ballad Group who represent Down and Ulster this Saturday 21st February at the All-Ireland Scór na nÓg finals in Athlone.

In conclusion, Chairman William Smith thanked the competitors, adjudicators and audiences for their support. He offered Best Wishes to the young Saul Ballad Group who take on the winners from the other three provinces in Athlone next Saturday and promised them full support from south Down; he thanked the families who presented the perpetual cups; The Sands family from Saval who presented a cup in memory of their son Cathal who was a Scór na nÓg recitation champion in 1992 and 1993; The McCormack family of Warrenpoint who presented a cup in memory of their mother Moya who dedicated her life to the promotion of Scór and Set Dancing in particular and to the Keenan Family from Mayobridge who presented a cup in memory of husband and father Peter who was South Down Scór chairman right up to the time of his death five years ago and who spent most of his life promoting Irish culture both inside and outside the GAA.

Bean a Ti was Ann Lennon from Saval and quiz master was John Devanney from Bredagh

Results:
Ceili Dancing: Ballyholland and Saval
Solo Singing: James Brennan Rostrevor, Siobhan McGivern Ballyholland
Instrumental Music: Tullylish and Mayobridge
Recitation: Declan McConaghy Glenn and Paddy Duffy Mayobridge
Ballad Groups: Rostrevor and Glenn
Novelty acts: Clonduff and Ballyholland
Set Dancing: Clonduff and Rostrevor
Quiz: Mayobridge and Ballyholland
Perpetual Trophies: Cathal Sands Memorial Cup for Best South Down Scór na nÓg club 2009; presented by Michael & Lily Sands: Winning club: St Michaels.
Moya McCormack Memorial Cup for Best South Down Scór Sinsear club 2009; presented by Feargal & Roisin McCormack: Winning club: Ballyholland.
Peter Keenan Memorial Cup for Best Overall South Down Scór club 2009; presented by Evelyn and Nichole Keenan: Winning club: Rostrevor.

21st February 2009, in the Canal Court Hotel Newry.

Tickets £30

**CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**

There has been a change in venue for the second semi final of Scór Sinsear.  Competitions have been moved from Tullylish GAA and will now take place in St Patrick's Secondary School Scarva Road Banbridge starting at 7.30pm.

St. Michaels GAC are requiring a Senior Football Manager for the forthcoming season.

Anyone interested in this should forward on their details and experience to Oliver McKeown, 17 Nuthill Road, Moira.  BT67 0PH.

or

by email to stmichaels@down.gaa.ie

by Monday 26th January 2009

At the AGM, held on the 9th December 2008, the following officers were elected:

• President                      Hugh Byrne
•                                     Laurence Hamill
• Vice President              Dan Byrne
• Chaplain                       Fr. Brown
• Chair Person                Pat McDade
• Vice Chair Person        John Hamill
• Secretary                      Oliver McKeown
• Asst. Secretary             Fergal Laverty
• Treasurer                      Helen Hamill
• PRO                            Conor O’Neill
•                                     Patrick Lavery
• Youth Officer               Eddie Mulgrew
• Cultural Officer            Michaela O’Neill
• County Board Rep       Michael McKeown
• U-21 Reps                   Brendan Marsden
•                                     Declan Lavery
• Registrar                       Sarah Lavery
• Players Rep                  Willie Quinn

Other Committee Members:

• David McCabe
• Laurence McAreavey
• Eamon Lynch (Sen)
• Brian McCabe
• Paul O’Hanlon
• Gerard Byrne
• Stephen Lavery
• Jonathon Sweeney
• Patrick McKeown
• Kevin Hamill

Change of dates for domestic league fixtures

Down Football League Secretary, Sean Rooney has confirmed that because of the All-Ireland U-21 football semi-final against Kildare on Saturday 19th April in Navan, and the NFL Division 3 game with Fermanagh on this Sunday, 20th of April in Pairc Esler, Newry club games scheduled for Friday 18th April will now be played on Wednesday, 23rd of April.

With the senior county footballers still harbouring hopes of playing in the Division 3 NFL Final - there will be no league games on Friday, 25th of April.

The second series of games will be played on Monday, May 5th and the series of games scheduled for Friday, May 9th will be played on Thursday, May 8th to facilitate a concentrated training session for the county footballers on Saturday, May 10th and the following day.

The club recently held their annual dinner dance for the year in the Stables Complex.  An enjoyable night was had by all.

Award winners on the night were:

MENS FOOTBALL

Young Player of the Year - Brendan Marsden

Reserve Player of the Year - Damian Catney

Player's Player of the Year - Kevin Hamill

Player of the Year - Jointly awarded to Brian Sweeney and Kevin Hamill

LADIES FOOTBALL

Most Improved Player - Kirsty Breen

Player's Player of the Year - Ciara McDade

Player of the Year - Ciara McDade

CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR

Mervyn Breen

Congratulations to all the winners on the night and to the organisers of the event

The Ladies Senior team league campaign started on Sunday 30th March with an away match against Clonduff in an exciting and entertaining game they were narrowly defeated by a point.

The club wishes the ladies the best of luck for the rest of the year. 

SENIOR

13th April - Away to St. Paul's

25th April - Away to Bredagh

RESERVE

13th April - Away to Drumgath

20th April - Home to Newry Bosco

27th April - Away to Clann na Banna

The club has been invited to the Powerscreen International 7's tournament in September 2009.

A meeting will be held on April 20th at 17.30 to gauge interest in attendign the tournament.

The trip is open to all non-playing and playing members of the club.

Friday 11th April at 8pm- Quiz Night

Friday 18th April at 8pm - Night at the Races (Horses can be purchased from any member of the committee)

Both in Byrnes Bar

O'Neills ACFL Division 3

Monday 24th March 2008 @ 1.30pm

Drumgath Vs St. Michael's

The registration of underage players will take place in the clubrooms on Sunday 27th of January between 2 -3 pm. All current players are asked to attend to register for the forthcoming season. All players must be accompanied by a parent. New players are very welcome

A youth team coaches meeting has been organised for Monday the 21st January at 8pm in the clubrooms. All current youth team coaches should attend, as this is an important meeting to plan for the football season ahead. Anyone interested in joining the coaching team, whatever you footballing experience, is very welcome to attend. New coaches are badly needed, especially female coaches, to help out with the growing number of young players.

Friday 18th May @ 7.00pm

O'Neills International Sporswear ACFL Division 4

St. Michael's   3-10   Vs    St. John's  1-06

St. Michael's maintained their winning run with this home win over St. John's.

St. John's dominated the opening 10 to 15 minutes, however two goals by Bryan Sweeney ensured St. Michael's went in at the break 2-05 to 0-04 up.

A further third goal by Bryan Sweeney, who is proving to be Magheralin's answer to Benny Coulter winning nearly every ball that comes into him, helped St. Michael's run out 3-10 to 1-06 winners.

St. Michael's seniors maintained their unbeaten run with a 2-16 to 0-5 home win over Dromara on Friday 11th May.  The tie was over at half time as the reds led on a scoreline of 2-11 to 0-1.  The two goals coming from Bryan Sweeney.

Friday 4th May 2007
O'Neills International Sportswear ACFL 4
Ballykinlar 2-03 Vs St. Michael's 1-12

Saturday 5th May 2007
U-10 Friendly
St. Michael's Vs Tullylish
Game finished a draw

Sunday 6th May 2007
Newry Building Supplies South Down U-12 League
Atticall 4-6 Vs St. Michael's 1-2

Weekend Results (w/e 29th April)

O'Neills International Sportswear SFL 4

St. Michael's 1-11 Aghaderg 0-12

Newry Building Supplies South Down Reserve League

Ballyholland 2-13  St. Michael's 1-7

Newry Building Supplies South Down U-12 League

St. Michael's 1-5  Tullylish 2-9

St. John's 1-10  St. Michael's 1-12

St. Michael's got their league campaign back on track with this two point win away to St. John's.  Following the emphatic win over Aughlisnafin the previous Friday, this was to be a sterner test for the Magheralin men against a previously unbeaten St. John's outfit.

However it was St. Michael's who came out firing on all cylinders.  A goal and two points by Philip Quinn helped St. Michael's go in at half time 1-8 to 0-5 in front.

The second half seen a resurgent St. John's take the field and they dominated proceedings for 20 minutes during the scond half.  St. Michael's though came good in the last five minutes and two late points from Brendan Marsden and Bryan Sweeney gave St. Michael's a 1-12 to 1-10 win.

Next up is another tough game, with Aghaderg visiting on Friday 27th April.

Team

P Cunningham, J Sweeney, J Catney, P Lavery, C O'Neill. K Hamill, C Hamill, G Gowdy, N Sweeney, B Marsden, A McKeown, P Quinn, M Doyle, B Sweeney and F Laverty.

Scorers

P Quinn 1-2, B Sweeney 0-2, M Doyle 0-2, N Sweeney 0-2, C Hamill 0-2, A McKeown, B Marsden 0-1 each

St. Michael's 8-19  Aughlisnafin 0-01

St. Michael's on top from the very beginning in this one sided Division 4 league game in Magheralin despite a spirited performance from the visitors.

The platform for this resounding victory was outstanding midfield performances from Gavin Gowdy and Neal Sweeney, and anything that bypassed midfield was ably dealt with by Kevin Hamill at centre half back.  The dominance meant that practically the entire first half was played in the Aughlisnafin half of the field.

All the St. Michael's forwards were on top of their game and converted their dominance into scores at regular intervals.

H/T:  St. Michael's 4-09 Aughlisnafin 0-00

This score could have been greater but for 7 or 8 wides in good scorable positions and perhaps going for goal on 2 or 3 occassions when easy points were on.

St. Michael's also should have had a penalty when Bryan Sweeney was blatently pulled down by the Aughlisnafin keeper.  One disappointing feature was an injury to Declan Lavery which forced him to leave the field.

The second half continued in same trend to the first and St. Michael's added  a further two goals in the first few minutes of the second half.  St. Michael's continued to add scores at will throughout the remainder of the game.

Aughlisnafin's only score was a point from a 30m free with about 5 minutes to go.

St. Michael's added a further 3 points after this to finish easy winners.  The team would hope to carry this forminto games coming up against stronger opposition.

Team:  P Cunningham, M McKeown, J Sweeney, P Lavery, C O'Neill, K Hamill. B Marsden, N Sweeney, G Gowdy, M Doyle, D Lavery, C Hamill, P Quinn, B Sweeney and F Lavery.

Subs:  D McCabe, R O'Neill, D Catney and K Robinson

Drumaness 1-18  St. Michael's 2-08

St. Michael's first game in Division 4 of the 2007 All County League ended in a defeat away to Drumaness.  Following a couple of missed scorable frees by St. Michael's, Drumaness went into a two point lead.  However points by Conor Hamill and Philip Quinn brought the Magheralin men level in the 12th minute.

Drumaness, who were more clinical in their finishing, built up a strong lead and built on this with a goal four minutes from half time by their half forward Paddy Bell.  Another point by Philip Quinn, along with an earlier effort from Neil Sweeney left St. Michael's trailing by six points at the break.

Half Time:  Drumaness 1-07 St. Michael's 0-4

A few early Drumaness points at the start of the second was soon cancelled out in the 36th minute with a goal by Gavin Gowdy who was set up by a Bryan Sweeney pass.

Points were exchanged by both sides with Declan Lavery, Mark Doyle, Kevin Hamill and Fergal Lavery all adding to the St. Michael's tally.  A fisted goal by Kevin Hamill reduced the defeicit to five points however after squandering a number of goalscoring opportunities and Drumaness maintaining a healthy lead, the East Down club added two points late on to leave 7 points between the sides.

Final Score:  Drumaness 1-18  St. Michael's 2-08

St. Michael's:  P, Cunningham, P Lavery, K Hamill, W Quinn, C O'Neill, J Catney, A McKeown, B Sweeney, N Sweeney, G Gowdy, D Lavery, C Hamill, D McCabe, F Lavery, P Quinn.

Subs:  J Sweeney for W Quinn, S Lavery for A McKeown, M Doyle for P Quinn, B Marsden for D McCabe and O McAreavey for J Sweeney.  Subs not used:  D Catney, M McKeown

Scorers:  K Hamill 1-1, G Gowdy 1-0, P Quinn 0-2, C Hamill, N Sweeney, D Lavery, M Doyle and F Lavery 0-1 each.

Senior Football Championship
First Round
1:   Warrenpoint   v   Burren
2:   Shamrocks    v   Loughinisland
3:   Castlewellan  v   An Riocht
4:   Drumgath      v   Longstone
5:   Kilcoo           v   Liatroim
6:   Clonduff         v   Byansford
7:   Mayobridge    v   Attical
8:   Rostrevor       v   Annaclone


Intermediate Football Championship
First Round
1:   Tullylish         v   Ardglass
2:   Teconnaught   v   Dundrum
3:   Carryduff         v   Bredagh
4:   Darragh Cross v   Clann Na Banna
5:   Saval               v   Kilclief
6:   Ballyholland     v   Glasdrumman
7:   Saul                v   Ballymartin
8:   Glenn              v   Downpatrick


Junior Football Championship
First Round
A:   Killyleagh   v   St. John's
B:   Bosco        v   Dromara
C:   Mitchels     v   St. Michael's
D:   St. Paul's   v   Drumaness

Quarter Finals
1:   Ballykinler   v   B
2:   Bright         v   A
3:   C              v   Aghaderg
4:   D               v   Aughlisnafin

Premier Reserve Championship
Preliminary Round
A:   Clonduff           v   Liatroim
B:   Rostrevor         v   Longstone
C:   Annaclone       v   Kilcoo
D:   Loughinisland   v   Carryduff

First Round
1:   Burren           v   D
2:   Saul              v   Saval
3:   B                  v   Mayobridge
4:   Downpatrick   v   Ballymartin
5:   Warrenpoint   v   C
6:   Tullylish         v   A
7:   Bryansford     v   An Riocht
8:   Kilclief            v   Castlewellan


Reserve Championship
Preliminary Round
A:   Bredagh II           v   Drumaness II
B:   Burren III             v   Bright II
C:   An Riocht III         v   Rostrevor II
D:   Castlewellan III     v   Darragh Cross II
E:   Carryduff III          v   Drumgath II
F:   Mitchels II            v   St. John's II
G:   Mayobridge III      v   Bryanford III
H:   Teconnaught II     v   Kilcoo III
I:   Dundrum II            v   Liatroim III
J:   Shamrocks II        v   Ballyholland II
K:   ClanNa Banna II   v   St. Paul's II

First Round
1:    F            v   Down Masters
2:   D             v   I
3:   C             v   Attical II
4:   Glenn II    v   G
5:    A            v   K
6:   St. Michael's II   v   E
7:    B            v   J
8:   Ardglass II  v   H

Senior Hurling Championship
Semi Finals
1:   Ballygalget   v   Portaferry
2:   Ballycran      v   Down Juniors

Intermediate Hurling Championship
Quarter Finals
A:   Ballygalget   v   Ballyvarley
B:   Liatroim        v   Kilclief
C:   Shamrocks   v   Ballycran

Semi Finals
1:   A   v   B
2:   Portaferry   v   A


Junior Hurling Championship
Quarter Finals
A:   Castlewellan   v   Bredagh
B:   Ballycran    v   Warrenpoint
C:   Clonduff      v   Ballela
D:   Portaferry   v   Ballygalget

FRIDAY 30th MARCH 2007

SPONSOR A RACE:  £50

SPONSOR A HORSE: £10

CONTACT ANY COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Well done to the St. Michael's Ladies who reached the Down Junior Final which was played on Saturday 9th September at Annaclone against Carryduff.  It was a great achievement to reach the final and hopefully next season they can go one step better.