St. Joseph's, Waltham Cross
What an excellent weekend for Castlerahan GAA! On Friday, we welcomed 105 guests from St. Joseph's in Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire. The group makes one trip to Ireland every year and chose to visit Castlerahan GAA and Dromard GAA this weekend. Tony Brady, a son of Tommy Brady RIP (Castlerahan) and Nancy Cahill (Kildorough) is the link between the two clubs and, even though born and reared in England, still considers Castlerahan as "home". They arrived on Friday evening at 6pm to a large welcoming party from Castlerahan GAA and a number of games were played between the U8, U10, U12 and U14 football teams from both clubs. They travelled to Dromard on Saturday for the opening of a new astro turf pitch facility before returning to Castlerahan on Sunday to take part in the Ian Smith Memorial U14 tournament with ourselves and neighbouring clubs Crosserlough, Denn, Ramor and Munterconnaught. In Castlerahan community pitch, Crosserlough came out top of their group beating Ramor and Munterconnaught comprehensively. In Fay Park, Castlerahan enjoyed a comfortable win over the visitors in the opening round before being narrowly defeated by Denn in the second game. St. Joseph's ran Denn close in the final group game, but unfortunately came up short meaning that the final was to be contested between Crosserlough and Denn. Congratulations to Crosserlough on being crowned winners in the final, having defeated Denn on a scoreline of 6-11 to 3-10. Thanks to Paddy Smith for making the presentation to the winners and runners up and to the rest of the Smith family for their support of the event.

While the U14 tournament progressed, U8s and U10s from Castlerahan, St. Joseph's, Mountnugent and Denn took part in blitz style games at one end of the field, which were enjoyed by all who partook. The U12s from both clubs, along with Denn, travelled to Munterconnaught who kindly agreed to host a blitz for that age group.

The hurling coaches offered a demonstration of the small ball game, which was very well received by the St. Joseph's players.

While the senior and reserve league games progressed against Cúchulainns, the visitors and club people alike enjoyed a barbecue during what was a fine day. An entertaining conclusion to the senior league game had the majority spectating enthralled.

A disco for all U8s to U14s from Castlerahan and St. Joseph's clubs was then held in St. Joseph's Hall, at which everybody enjoyed themselves particularly towards the end when the majority of parents got up to partake in some of the fun!

Thank you to everybody who made this visit so successful. To the parents of our U8, U10, U12 and U14 football and hurling players for providing mountains of sandwiches, buns, biscuits etc. etc. on Friday evening, thank you. Thank you to all who helped out around the grounds on Friday evening and all day Sunday - from flipping burgers to dispensing drinks for thirsty players to picking up litter, running the shop, or supervising the disco - it is truly appreciated. Thank you to our neighbouring clubs Mountnugent, Denn, Crosserlough, Munterconnaught and Ramor United for participating in U8, U10 & U12 blitzes and the Ian Smith Memorial tournament. Thank you to Munterconnaught GAA club for hosting the U12 blitz on Sunday, with Castlerahan, St. Joseph's & Denn players in attendance. Thank you to referees Tony Gregory and Padraig Sheridan for the efficient manner in which they oversaw Sunday's U14 tournament. Thank you to all of our juvenile coaches who organised and refereed the games over the weekend. Thank you to everybody else involved, no matter how small the role appeared to be on the day.

Annual draw
The next monthly draw takes place on Wednesday, 12th June. All card holders are reminded to have instalments returned to Noeleen Smith or Brian Slowey in advance of that date.

Children's tracksuits and hoodies
Club tracksuits (€21) and hoodies (€17) are available for purchase for all juvenile hurling and football players. Fittings and payments will be taken from 6.30pm on Wednesday evening, 29th May at St. Clare's College gym for those interested.

Fixtures & Results
Senior
Well done to our senior team who had two victories over the weekend. On Friday, the team travelled to Kingscourt where they ran out convincing winners on a scoreline of 2-13 to 2-07. They hosted Cúchulainns on Sunday afternoon, and while it was a more closely contested affair, the home side prevailed to secure a 1-11 to 0-09 win. Next up is Mullahoran in Fay Park on Saturday, 1st June. No time has been confirmed yet.

Reserve
The reserve team suffered two defeats over the weekend. Kingscourt defeated the side on a scoreline of 4-14 to 1-10 on Friday evening, while in a more competitive game on Sunday afternoon, Cúchulainns edged the home side out on a scoreline of 3-12 to 2-08. The next reserve league game has been fixed for Saturday, at home to Mullahoran. A time is yet to be confirmed.

U14
The U14 team host Denn this evening (Monday) at 7.30pm in Fay Park in round 6 of the league.

U12 summer league
On account of St. Joseph's visit and the running of community games athletics in the field on Saturday last, the opening round of the summer league against Killeshandra did not go ahead. The next game is scheduled for Friday, 31st May away to Arva. Throw-in at 7pm.

Hurling
The last training session in St. Clare's College gym takes place on Wednesday, 29th May after which it will move to Fay Park. We encourage all children to attend Wednesday night's session as a small presentation will be made to each player.

U10 football
The U10s may play a challenge game on Saturday. Coaches will be in touch during the week to confirm whether or not it will be progressing. The next scheduled blitz is for Saturday, 8th June in Kingspan Breffni Park.

U8 football
The U8s will host a blitz this Saturday in Fay Park, with teams from Crosserlough, Denn, Lavey & Ramor United travelling. Coaches will be in touch during the week to confirm a start time.

News items
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