The AGM of Collegeland O’Rahilly’s GAC was held in the Clubrooms last Sunday evening.

Elections were chaired by Brendan McGeary, Club President who stated afterwards that he was really encouraged by the willingness of the members to take roles and work for the Club. Peter Donnelly, Club President, was also present.

Silver Membership will continue at £30 and Gold Membership will remain at £120 per year or £10 per month Direct Debit. Watch out for Membership Day in February.

Members received comprehensive reports from the Secretary and Treasurer. In the Chairman’s report Frank Donnelly spoke of the great progress that had been made in recent years in following through on the Club Development Plan by widening the membership and opening up the Club facilities to the community. He praised those involved with ladies exercise, culture and local history nights, fund raising events, and the Olympic Marathon charity fundraiser.

The incoming Committee;- Chairman, Frank Donnelly; Vice Chair, Pat Brannigan; Secretary, Tommy Mitchell; Assistant Secretary, Sean McNicholl; Treasurer, Kieran Hayes; Assistant Treasurer, Sean Maguire;; Registrar, Brian McGeary; PRO, Tommy Mitchell; Coaching Officer, John McGeary; Children’s Officer (Child Protection), Simon McGeary; Players Rep Karol McGeary; Youth Officer, Paraic McGeary; County Board Rep (senior and minor boards), Mickey Mitchell; Camogie Chair, Stephen Clancy; Camogie County Board Rep, Paula Donnelly; Irish Language Officer, Kevin McNicholl; Referee nominee, Shane Murphy:

Five Sub Committee were established (and chairs selected) on senior Football (Pat Brannigan); Finance and fundraising (Kieran Hayes); Coaching (John McGeary); Camogie (Stephen Clancy); PR/IT (Tommy Mitchell). These Chairs will draw on the expertise and interest of Committee Members who include;- Tom Murphy, Mary McGeary, Colm Mitchell, Barry O’Neill, Peter Murphy, Merissa McGeary, Ryan McParland, Matthew Murphy, Paul Hudson, Paddy Mohan, Kathleen Bullock, Brendan McGeary, Shane McGeary, Mary Coleman, Alisha Coney, Michelle Clancy, Brian Mitchell, Mairead Mitchell, Matthew Murphy. A small number of positions are to be filled at the first Committee meeting.

Reverend Father Eugene Sweeney PP Loughgall is to be invited to the position of Honorary Vice President.

Frank Donnelly led the members in the Our Father ( as gaeilge ) as we remembered deceased Club members and friends and those recovering from illness.

Prior to the AGM there was a great turn out for the senior players meeting. Players accept that 2013 will be an important year and that there are clear opportunities in both League and Championship. Training is now underway as Ronan Clarke is delivering an initial six week training module in Armagh for our senior footballers.

Clubrooms well used.
Last Friday morning it was looking to the future with the start of the new computer class and then on Friday night it was looking to the past with the talk on Charlemont Fort. Both events were well attended. The Charlemont Fort talk by Jimmy Kane was very informative and will have many people searching the internet and the Library for more information on this once very important part of Ireland. Well done to John Mitchell for organising this event. See separate photo coverage.

If there are sufficient numbers the SRC in Armagh might run a second computer class on Monday nights but you must contact Kellie on 077 3633 6152 at SRC Southern Regional College, Armagh to register.

Naomh Eoin u-16 win Div 3 Shield
Naomh Eoin won the Division 3 u-16 Shield on Sat 20 October defeating Clady on a scoreline of 3-8 to 3-4 in Granemore. The game played in fine weather saw Naomh Eoin lead at the break by 2-7 to 1-1 thanks to the goals by C Cullen and C Donaghy. The second half saw Naomh Eoin only score another 1-1, the goal from C Robinson which was enough despite Clady scoring 2-3. This left Naomh Eoin worthy winners on 3-8 to 3-4.
The u-16 Shield was presented to the winning captain Sean McCann. Commiserations to Clady. Well done to all the Naomh players and panel for their workrate and commitment during the year which has now paid off with this trophy, not forgetting also winning the u-16 3B League Title.

The Naomh Eoin players were delighted to see our playing member Joe Kelly at the match and look forward to seeing him and all the boys and girls at the forthcoming Naomh Eoin presentation night later in November.

Diary Date
Club Presentation Night planned for Friday 30 November.

Races Friday Night
Plans are well underway for the Collegeland’s Nite at the Races in the Auction Rooms on this Fri 26 Oct. Not given your horse a name for a tenner yet or maybe you want to sponsor a Race? There might still be time but please hurry and contact Shane McGeary or any Committee Member or player. List of Race Sponsors will be displayed on the night and in the Races Programme.

Our MC this year is Martin McCarron and he promises a good nights craic. Everyone welcome so come along and bring some friends, you can bet with £1 or more. Horses are now being sold for the first eight races at £10 each so hurry before the programme is printed. The horses in the last Race are being sold on the night to the highest bidder. Hope you have a winner but remember the real winners will be Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC and you will be helping us provide activities and support in the local community.

Collegeland had Portadown Tir Na nÓg as visitors to the Fr McKnight Memorial Park on Saturday 13th of October for an Intermediate League game.
The rain that fell during the week made the playing surface difficult for the players and a heavy shower during the game made conditions even worse.
Tir Na nÓg had  two points on the score board after two minutes. Ryan Mc Parland then pointed for Collegeland after five minutes but the visitors went two up again after ten minutes. Midway through the half Collegeland drew level with points by Jack Mc Geary and Stephen Clancy. The Portadown men then had two quick scores to again  lead by two. A Jack McGeary point cut the deficit to one point on the 22nd minute. Tir Na nÓg rallied with 4 points to leave the score at the break   Collegeland 0-4 Tir Na nÓg 0-09.
Collegeland changes saw Gareth Mc Ardle move from goalkeeper to the forwards with Tommy McGeary replacing Gareth in nets. The Tir Na nÓg men  scored 4 points in the third Quarter to extend their lead by nine. Collegeland came back strongly with 3 points in a row on 16th, 17th, 18th minutes added by Gareth Mc Ardle free, Mickey Cullen, and Gareth Mc Ardle to narrow the gap to six. The Portadown men had points in the 19th and 21st minutes to edge further in front. Gareth Mc Ardle replied with a point for Collegeland in the 25th Minute. Back came the visitors with two late scores to leave the final score Collegeland 0-8 Tir Na nÓg 0-17.

Collegeland battled hard in the conditions and both teams must be applauded for their efforts over the hour. Tir Na nÓg with their two county men Brian Mallon and Paul Carville were always going to be hard to beat in the Portadown men’s last fixture. Our next match is away to Annaghmore on Sunday 21.

Despite having two re-fixtures left this result means we will be playing in the Junior League next season. Collegeland can take some comfort from the season as along the way we have defeated the Intermediate league winners Shane O’Neills in Camlough and also defeated St Peters who will also be playing in the senior league next season.

The Junior League will give us a opportunity to introduce young players and hopefully a few players will return to these shores and help us build for the future and return to Intermediate League. Maybe our motto for the incoming year could be  IS FEIDIR LINN  [Yes we can].

U16 DIV 3 SHIELD FINAL
Naomh Eoin v Clady in Abbey Park, Armagh at 3pm  on Saturday 20 Oct. We wish all the  Players and management good luck in the under 16 Div 3 Shield Final. We would ask  Club members to come out and support our Naomh Eoin team on Saturday.

Nite at the Races

A great nights craic is promised at our annual Nite at the Races by our MC Martin McCarron  on  Fri 26 October in the Auction Rooms, Moy. We are trying something different this year with a new approach to the night itself and a new approach to seeking sponsors and selling horses.  If you are a business or supplier  with customers in the wider Collegeland area then we ask for your support.

Computer Course

CCCDA Computer Course starting this Friday 19 Oct in Collegeland  if sufficient numbers   and possibly Mondays  BUT YOU MUST Contact Doreen Lappin 077 3633 6152 at SRC Southern Regional College to register.

REMINDER Charlemont Fort

A Talk by James Kane, on Charlemont Fort and the O’Neill connection will be held Friday 19 October in Collegeland Clubrooms at 8.00 pm. £3 for adults, £1 for children.  All welcome.

On Saturday 27th July Collegeland O’Rahillys travelled to Whitecross to play St Michaels Killean in the first round of the Armagh Junior Championship. This evening fixture was played on a greasy surface with a strong wind blowing left to right straight down the field which was going to make the game the proverbial game of two halves. Fortunately Collegeland played with the wind in the first half.  Collegeland going in to this game as hot favourites did not disappoint in the early stages as Gareth Mc Ardle had the opening point in the  first minute.  Further points by Paul Cullen, Brian Mc Geary, and Barry O’ Neill had Collegeland four points  up after five minutes.  The next fifteen minutes saw the O’Rahillys  add just three further scores by Brian Mc Geary, Tom Murphy, and Mickey Cullen despite playing with the strong wind at their backs to lead by seven.  Collegeland  then closed out the final ten minutes of the half with points by Mathew Murphy,  Tom Murphy, and  Gareth Mc Ardle pointed from a free.    Half Time Collegeland 0-10 Killean 0-0.

The second half saw more heavy blustery showers  and the conditions seemed to affect the performances from both sides. Killean were awarded a penalty in the fifth minute which they converted.  Both sides were then guilty of poor shooting in the second half and will blame the weather. Killean mounted several well-co-ordinated  attacks but the Collegeland defence held solid.    Collegeland had to battle for  twenty-two minutes  to get their only score of the second half with a point from  Mathew Murphy following a lovely cross-field ball from Brian McGeary.  Kevin McNicholl and Sean McNicholl  then took over the two corner forward positions  and quickly got involved in the action.   Final score Collegeland O’Rahillys 0-11, St Michaels Killean 1-0.  Well done to managers Tommy Corr and Leo McGeary.

Collegeland Team: Macartan McGeary; Brian Mitchell; Stephen Clancy; Eamonn McGeary; Matthew Murphy; Tom Murphy; Ruari Mc Geary; Karol McGeary; Paul Cullen; Michael Cullen; Ryan McParland; Gareth McArdle; Odhran Campbell; Brian McGeary; Barry O’Neill; Tommy McGeary; Kevin McNicholl; Sean McNicholl; Cathal McCracken; Chris McCann; Micheal Hughes; Barry Colhoun; Bernard Mackle; Jack McGeary; Kieran Hayes; Colm Mitchell; Gary McCann.

The Draw for the Junior Championship Quarter-Finals takes place at Wednesday’s Co Board meeting  with matches down for playing on the weekend of  17/18/19 August.

Intermediate League Shield and Reserves

The Shield section of the Intermediate League gets underway this week and the  next  Fixtures are due out on Tuesday.  The next round of Reserves fixtures are also due to be announced.  So hopefully  plenty of football left to play and everyone on the panel is needed at training over the next few weeks.

Naomh Eoin GFC Fixtures.

Meanwhile underage football continues and the latest  fixtures are;-

uI6 Thursday 2nd August, Naomh Eoin v Maghery in Annaghmore 7.15pm

u12 Saturday 4^th August, Clan Na Gael v Naomh Eoin in Lurgan at 4 pm

u10 Saturday 4th August Naomh Eoin v Granemore in Collegeland – not yet confirmed.

u18 Monday 6th August, Naomh Eoin v Cavanakill Emmett’s in Annaghmore 7 15pm

u14 Tuesday 7th August, Newtown Emmett’s v Naomh Eoin in Dorsey.

Collegeland play their opening game in the simplyfruit.com Junior Football Championship on Saturday 28th of July against St Michael’s Killean. This fixture has been moved to  Lissummon and throw in is at 7.00pm.  We would ask our members and former players to come out and support the team. See you there.

The second half of the Intermediate League is now getting underway.  We are in the  Shield section and we need a few good performances to retain  our Intermediate or Division 2 status.

After a long break the remaining fixtures in the Reserve League will be out soon.

Clones Footballer
Sunday was a special day for a young Collegeland footballer,  Shane Donnelly,  a pupil at St Peters Primary school Collegeland.  Shane played in the mini football match at Clones during the half-time break at the ULSTER FINAL, and by all accounts had a good game. Shane was presented with a medal and an Ulster GAA jersey.  Shane is a son of proud parents Collegeland O’Rahillys Chairman Frank and Marie Donnelly.  Shanes brothers Connor and Ryan were very proud of his achievement.

Team Physio Recovering.

Best wishes to Peter Donnelly, ambulance driver/paramedic and our team Physio who has been  sampling hospital life recently.  Glad to hear he is making good progress, as we need him in the dug-out.

Camogie

The u-12 Camogie team travelled to Derrymacash to play St Endas on Monday night for a League match. This was the first Collegeland camogie underage league  match for many years and the young Camogs put up a great performance.  Stephen Clancy was referee.  Training for the camogie teams takes place every Wednesdays at 5-45pm with qualified coaches in attendance.  New members always  welcome to join the club.

Sympathy

Collegeland O’Rahilly GAC  would like to express their sympathy to the Herron/O’Brien family circle on the death of  Paddy O’Brien.  May he rest in peace.

Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC Club Notes

Collegeland O’ Rahilly’s travelled to the Grange on Wednesday 23rd of May to play  an Intermediate League fixture  on a very hot evening.  It was the Grange who opened the scoring with a point in the 7th minute. Grange then scored 2 goals before Collegeland had their first point in the 13th minute from a free by Gareth Mc Ardle.  Then the  home side  added two more points to lead 2-3 to 0-1 after eighteen minutes. Although out-played in the first twenty minutes Collegeland got back in the game through Mickey Cullen from a pass by Jack McGeary in the 22nd minute. Collegeland then had points in the 25th and 26th minutes by Nathan McParland and Jack Mc Geary to leave just a goal between them. Grange had the final score of the half to lead 2-4 to 1-3 at the break.

On the restart Nathan Mc Parland pointed after four minutes, then both sides added a goal and a point, both Collegeland’s scores by Brian Mc Geary. Grange then added another 1-5 to Collegeland’s 3 points scored by Tom Murphy, Gareth Mc Ardle, and Nathan Mc Parland to leave the final score Grange 4-10 Collegeland 2-8.

“B” Championship Quarter Final.

Collegeland O Rahilly’s made their second journey in five days to the Grange to play the home side in the Quarter Final of the “B” Championship on Sunday 27th of May. It was again a hot summers day.  The first twenty  minutes of this game was poor with many missed opportunities, and possibly a lack of confidence in front of goal was the order of the half.  Collegeland eventually took the lead with points by Barry O’ Neill and Leo Mc Geary. The home side pointed in the 25th minute of the half to leave the score Collegeland 0-2 to 0-1 at the break.

The half-time team talk seem to ignite Collegeland into action as second half sub Shane McGeary sent to the net in the opening minute. Five minutes later  saw another Collegelansd goal by  Ryan Mc Parland.  Grange had a point in the sixth minute and  Stephen Clancy relied with a point for Collegeland.  When Grange had a goal in the 12th minute    Collegeland responded with yet another goal giving Shane Mc Geary his second. Points from Leo Mc Geary and a “45” by Macartan McGeary stretched Collegeland’s lead to 10 points with ten minutes left. Grange then had a point and Collegeland replied with points by Ryan McParland and Barry O’ Neill followed by a Barry Colhoun goal in the 26th minute before the home side added a consolation score to leave Collegeland winners 4-7 to1-4.

The second half saw Collegeland control the game with a big improvement in their play and can look forward to a Semi-Final in the coming weeks and a few more at training would enhance their prospects.  Well done to the management and players on a great second half performance. Representing Collegeland were Macartan Mc Geary, Kieran Hayes, Stephen Clancy, Colm Mitchell, Mathew Murphy, Chris McCann, Barry O’ Neill, Ryan Mc Parland, Barry Colhoun, Collie Haughey, Gary Mc Cann, Kevin Mc Nicholl, Paul Hudson, Eamonn Murray, Aidan Mc Cormack, Shane Mc Geary, Frank Donnelly

Any paid up club member who requires a Ticket for the Armagh v Tyrone game please contact Peter McKeever 87 789 651 or Michael Mitchell 87 789 377 or on Mobile 07845 109 641 before 3pm on Thurs 31 May.   TICKET PRICES   STAND £20:  OAP £12; TERRACE £12:  STUDENT £9; JUVENILE/U16 £5; PLEASE NOTE ALL JUVENILE /U16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.

Last Man Standing

The Last Man Standing Draw is now  underway, only  £5 per entry. Last name drawn out  at the end of June wins the £500 prize, but there are dozens of other  spot prizes so plenty of chances to win a prize.

Naomh Eoin

U6 AND U8 Training continues  in Collegeland at 10.30am Saturday.  U10 Naomh Eoin v Port Mor (Time and Date still  to be confirmed)  in Collegeland.   U12 Naomh Eoin v Maghery 4.00 PM Saturday  in Collegeland.

Collegeland Camogie.        

Collegeland  under 10′s camogie girls were out  on Saturday in Ballymacnab when  they took part in their first Go Games and  were delighted when won a couple of their matches. Thanks to Alicia Coney  and Stephen  Clancy, their coaches,  for all their hard work and also all of the parents who came along to cheer them on.

Win for “B” team in  B-Championship .

Collegeland had Middletown as visitors to the Fr Mc Knight Memorial Park on Wednesday the 16th of May for a  “B” Intermediate football Championship fixture. The evening was cold and overcast. Middletown opened the scoring with 2 points in the  opening minutes. Collegeland drew level with points by Ryan Mc Parland and Eamonn Murray. Middletown then went in front with 2 points. Midway through the half Collegeland took control with points by Barry Colhoun, Stephen Clancy, Ryan Mc Parland, Collie Haughey, and again by Ryan Mc Parland to lead by 3 points.  Middletown had 2 late points to cut the deficit to 1. Chris Mc Cann sent over a superb long range point on the short whistle to leave the half time score Collegeland 0-8 Middletown 0-6.

On the restart Middletown drew level with 2 points in the opening couple of minutes of the second half and then added a point in the 7th minute to take the lead. Collegeland then regained the lead with a Stephen Clancy goal in the 9th minute followed by points by  Collie Haughey and from Gary McCann’s 21 yard free. Middletown then had a goal to cut the lead to a point. Entering the final quarter  Collie Haughey pointed in the 17th minute and the same player finished to the net two minutes later following a goal mouth scramble. Middletown then added points in the 24th and 27th minutes to trail by 3 points.  But it was the Collegeland men who finished strongly with points in the closing minutes by Ryan McParland, Barry Colhoun, and Mathew Murphy to leave the full time score Collegeland O’Rahilly’s  2-14,  Middletown Owen Roes 1-11.

This was a good game of football played in right spirit with some of the players on both sides trying to impress the senior team managers.  Reserves/B managers Paddy Donnelly and Leo Mc Geary can look forward to the quarter final clash with the Grange on Sunday 27th of May. This will be the second trip to Grange this week, see below.

League Home Win

Collegeland O’ Rahilly’s had Keady Dwyer’s as visitors to the Fr Mc Knight Memorial Park on Sunday the 20th of May and  conditions for the game were ideal. It was Keady who opened the scoring with a point in the first minute and hit another 4 points in the opening 9 minutes. Collegeland pointed through Nathan McParland in the 10th minute from a free. Keady scored a point in the 12th minute which was to be their last score of this half. Karol Mc Geary had Collegeland’s second score in the 13th minute. Collegeland then moved Brian Mc Geary to midfield to try to stem the tide. This seemed to work as Collegeland started to get a grip of the game, as points by Stephen Clancy in the 20th minute cut the lead to 3 points. Collegeland added 2 late points by Gareth Mc Ardle in the 29th minute and Brian Mc Geary on the half time whistle from all of 50 metres turned this game Collegeland’s  way. Half-time Collegeland 0-5 Keady 0-6.

The second half saw Collegeland score points in the 6th and 7th minutes through Ryan Mc Parland and Karol McGeary to take the lead. Keady levelled a minute later, but it was Collegeland who pressed forward and two Nathan Mc Parland points from frees in the 10th and 15th to edge in front again. While Keady drew level with scores in the 17th and 21st minutes, back came the home side with a Paul Cullen point on the 22nd minute. Entering the last five minutes Keady drew level again. Collegeland looked for the winner and it did come after a ball in to the square which came off a defender went out for a 45 as they say “cometh the hour cometh the man” and  Paul Cullen stroked over the resultant 45 on the stroke of full-time to leave them winners on the score of Collegeland 0-11 to 0-10.

This was a morale boosting win coming off  three straight defeats for the Collegeland management and players.  On Wednesday night  23rd of May we travel to neighbours Grange in our first visit of the week for the next Intermediate League fixture with a 7.30 throw in.

B Championship Quarter Final

Our second visit  to Grange this week is on Sunday 27th of May for a B- Championship  Quarter-final throw in 2pm

Activities in the Clubrooms

The numbers for the  Mother and Toddler Group  are  continuing to increase with new members each week.  Clubrooms on Tuesday mornings, contact Roisin Mackle.

Irish dancing continues on Tuesday nights and finishes each night with a new adult dancing class. Contact Cathy Grew for more information.

Paula McNicholl’s Box “n” Tone for the ladies continues on Thursday at 10.30am.

Thank You

Thanks to the parents who have offered their help at training particularly with the younger football and camogie training. The Club is always needing a little extra help with underage activities and training  both Camogie and football so even if you are not a coach you can still help at the children’s training as the younger ones do need a lot of help and attention while they learn to cope with training methods. Access NI screening will be carried out to ensure the safety of all children.

First Aid Course in Collegeland

The first introductory session in the course  in Paediatric First Aid — Level 2  is will be held in the Collegeland GAC Clubrooms this week. The Course is aimed at assisting parents and those working with young children to assess and react appropriately in an emergency situation including being able to provide first aid for an infant or young person.   If interested  then please Contact Brendan at 07740099852 immediately.

Last man Standing

The Last Man Standing Draw is now getting underway, only  £5 per entry. Last name drawn out  at the end of June wins the £500 prize, but there are dozens of other  spot prizes so plenty of chances to win a prize.

Collegeland GAC Club Notes

Intermediate League

An understrength Collegeland O’ Rahilly’s were away to Madden on Sunday  for the Intermediate League Fixture and despite hitting the net in each half  were narrowly beaten by two points.   Playing with a strong breeze Collegeland were  ahead at half time  1-7 to 0-4  with Brian McGeary getting a goal from a long free in from Gareth McArdle.   But  Gareth McArdle’s second half goal and a  point from Nathan McParland  were not  enough  to maintain the lead.  Scorers,  Brian McGeary (1-0), Gareth  McArdle (1-3), Tom Murphy (1)  Nathan McParland (2) Stephen Clancy (1)  and Karol McGeary (1).   Final score, Collegeland 2-8,  Madden 1-13.

The next two Intermediate League fixtures are at home to Keady on Sunday 20 May at 2.00pm  and  then away to the Grange on Wed 23 May at 7.30pm.

B-Championship

The B-Championship begins this week and Collegeland is at home to Middletown on Wed 16 May  at 7.30pm.

Activities in the Clubrooms

The numbers for the  Mother and Toddler Group  are  continuing to increase with new members each week.  Clubrooms on Tuesday mornings.

Irish dancing continues on Tuesday nights and finishes each night with a new adult dancing class. Contact Cathy for more information.

Paula McNicholl’s Box “n” Tone for the ladies continues on Thursday at 10.30am.

The Club is always needing a little extra help with underage activities and training  both Camogie and football so even if you are not a coach you can still help at the children’s training as the younger ones do need a lot of help and attention while they learn to cope with training methods.  Of course  Access NI screening will be carried out to ensure the safety of all children but if just offer your help to the Club coaches they will take it from there.

First Aid Course in Collegeland

This new course  in Paediatric First Aid — Level 2  will be held in the Collegeland GAC Clubrooms. The Course is aimed at assisting parents and those working with young children to assess and react appropriately in an emergency situation including being able to provide first aid for an infant or young person.   Contact Brendan at 07740099852..

Collegeland GAC Club Notes

Intermediate League –Home

Collegeland O’ Rahilly’s had Middletown as visitors to the Father Mc Knight Memorial Park on Sunday 6th  May for the Intermediate League Fixture. Collegeland opened the scoring with a point by Brian McGeary. Middletown replied with a point.  Karol Mc Geary then had a point for Collegeland and Middletown then levelled again after six minutes. Collegeland then took the lead again in the 10th minute through a point by Nathan Mc Parland the visitors then  kicked 4 wides before they drew level again in the 21st minute. It was all Middletown at this stage they had another three wides late in the first half before Macartan Mc Geary made a great save in the dying seconds of the half.

On the restart it was Middletown who added three points in a row. Collegeland had four wides before they registered two  points by Nathan Mc Parland and Paul Cullen to cut the score to a single point.  Back came Middletown with two quick points in the 17th and 18th minutes. Collegeland then had points by Paul Cullen and Ryan M Parland and again cut the deficit to one point before Middletown added two late points to win the game. Final score Collegeland 0-7 Middletown 0-10.

Next  fixture in the Intermediate League is away to Madden next Sunday  13 May.

St Pauls were the visitors for the Reserves match on Wed night and it was good to see a few more players making themselves available. We are still waiting  for a few injuries to clear up and should then have a bigger panel to choose from.   Young Gary McCann had another goal so hopefully he will keep this up.  Next Reserves match is this  Wed 9 May away to Ballyhegan.

The following Wed will see the first games in the B Championship. Please note that all players are expected to respond to texts from the two management teams.

The Clubrooms continue to be well used with the latest group being the Mother and Toddler Group who meet on Tuesday mornings.

Irish dancing continues on Tuesday nights and finishes each night with a new adult dancing class. Contact Cathy for more information.

Senior football training, Naomh Eoin and Camogie youth training  and matches  leave the Club facilities really well used every week but there are still some timeslots available for groups who want to use the facilities for the benefit of the community.

Well done to the under 12 Camogs who took part in the Keady Blitz last Saturday.

It has been a busy few weeks for all  the underage coaches and the younger Naomh Eoin teams have now started their football season.  During the week the under 8s played Clann na Gael  and put up a great team performance.  These young players are out again on Saturday morning at 11am with separate matches for under 6’s and under 8s  playing tteams from  Wolf Tones.

The Club is always needing a little extra help with underage activities and training  so even if you are not a coach you can still help at the children’s training as the younger ones do need a lot of help and attention while they learn to cope with training methods.  Of course  Access NI screening will be carried out to ensure the safety of all children but if just offer your help to the Club coaches they will take it from there.

First Aid Course in Collegeland

This new course  in Paediatric First Aid — Level 2  will be held in the Collegeland GAC Clubrooms and be delivered over a number of weeks totalling  12 hours but at times suitable to the needs of candidates.

The Course is aimed at assisting parents and those working with young children to assess and react appropriately in an emergency situation including being able to provide first aid where an infant or young person;- is unresponsive; requires resuscitation; has an airway obstruction; has been poisoned; is suffering from shock/haemorrhage/fracture/extremes of temperature; severe sting.  Contact Brendan at 07740099852.

Collegeland GAC Club Notes

Intermediate League –Away

Collegeland O’Rahilly’s travelled to south Armagh missing the Cullen brothers and the injured mid-fielder Karol Mc Geary to play Mullaghbawn Cuhullians in an Intermediate League fixture on Sunday 29th of April. The day was cold and dry with a very strong breeze blowing from right to left down the field in Mullaghbawn’s favour in the first half. Mullaghbawn opened the scoring with three points in the seventh, tenth and eleventh minutes Nathan McParland had Collegeland’s only point of the half in the 12th minute. Mullaghbawn’s dominance at mid-field in the first half saw them add a further four points, the last three coming in the final minutes of the half.  Both teams shot a numbers of wides in the half and good defending by Collegeland prevented Mullaghbawn from doubling their score. Halftime Mullaghbawn 0-8, Collegeland 0-1.

Mullaghbawn pointed in the opening minute of the second half and added points in the 5th, and 13th minutes to leave the score 0-11 to 0-1.  Entering the last quarter Collegeland restored some pride in themselves with a Tom Murphy point and a minute later Ryan McParland cut out a Mullaghbawn pass out of the defence and passed to Gareth McArdle who sent in a high lobbing ball into the square which the goalkeeper could deal with and the ball went in to the net.  Brian McGeary pointed a minute later to leave six between them. Collegeland then had 3 wides before Mullaghbawn replied with 2 points. Collegeland registered the three  closing points by Nathan McParland, Brian McGeary, and  Tom Murphy  to leave the final score Mullaghbawn 0-14,  Collegeland 1-6.  Mullaghbawn showed a greater hunger and work rate for the game. Collegeland needed more urgency in their play and had they learned to cope with the strong wind a bit sooner then they would have been in contention at the end. On a brighter note Kevin McNicholl made his league debut  and  hopefully can look forward to many more years ahead in the blue jersey.

Collegeland panel:  Macartan Mc Geary, Brian Mitchell, Stephen Clancy, Sean McNicholl, Ruari McGeary, Tom Murphy (0-2), Eamonn McGeary, Brian Mc Geary (0-2), Gareth McArdle (1-0), Nathan McParland (0-2), Ryan McParland, Barry O’Neill,  Kevin McNicholl, Jack Mc Geary, Barry Colhoun, Chris McCann,  Michael Hughes.

Next Intermediate League- at Home

O’Rahillys will welcome Middletown to Collegeland on Sunday 6 May at 2.00pm.

Reserve League

We travelled to St Peters  in Lurgan last Thursday night but again with a bare minimum of players.  We need a better turn out from eligible Reserve  players if we are to make any impact in this Reserve  League.   While we did get  a good  competitive game thanks to St Peters we were about five points behind at the final whistle.  One highlight was when young Collegeland’s young Gary McCann took a quick free and hammered the ball into the net for our only goal.

Next Reserves match this Wed night 2 May at 7.30pm at home to St Pauls. Players should notify managers Paddy Donnelly or Leo McGeary about match  availability or if they have not received recent  notifications on Teamer text.

Camogie

Camogie training continues on Wednesday evenings at 5-45 equipment supplied.

Half Marathon

Not to be outdone by the camogie girls their mentor and Collegeland GAC Committee member Paula Donnelly is in training for a Half Marathon in Belfast on Monday 7 May.  Paula is seeking sponsorship for a cause close to her heart  – “Helping Hand at The Children’s Hospital in Belfast“.   Helping Hand Charity established by medical staff at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in 1997 with the single aim of helping children in their care.  By supporting Helping Hand, you will be helping to purchase vital new equipment to diagnose and treat the hospital’s young patients, to provide facilities and services for families and to fund research into children’s illnesses.

First Aid Course in Collegeland

This new course  in Paediatric First Aid — Level 2  will start at the end of April in the Collegeland GAC Clubrooms and be delivered over a number of weeks totalling  12 hours but at times suitable to the needs of candidates.

The Course is aimed at assisting parents and those working with young children to assess and react appropriately in an emergency situation including being able to provide first aid where an infant or young person;- is unresponsive; requires resuscitation; has an airway obstruction; has been poisoned; is suffering from shock/haemorrhage/fracture/extremes of temperature; severe sting.   The Course will cost £40.00   Anyone interested, including previous applicants should contact Brendan at 07740099852  to facilitate suitable dates and times.