Weekly Notes Monday 8th September Lotto Numbers: 31, 32 & 35. There was no winner of the 2500 jackpot. Next week s jackpot jumps to 3000. Please support the weekly lotto. If possible please download and complete the standing order form from the club website and pay monthly or quarterly. Chairman's Quarterly address to members: As I embark on the last quarter of my term as Chairman of the club it is particularly disappointing to begin this short report with the news of the defeat of our senior football team by Castledawson on Saturday afternoon in the Intermediate championship. After going through the season unbeaten there was much expectation that a major championship was within our grasp after a lapse of many years. It is now evident that an even greater effort will be required by this team if they are to progress. However team and management are to be congratulated on achieving the number one aim this year of gaining promotion to Division next year. The reserves and minors have progressed well and both play this week in their respective semi finals of their championships. After a slow start to their campaigns the u 14s and u16s finished well in the league and both put in gutsy performances in the championship before succumbing at the semi final stages. On the Camogie and Ladies football front I wish both senior teams best wishes in the Camogie league final and the ladies who will represent Derry against Donegal championship winners in the first round of the Ulster Championship. Members will notice a few changes taking place at football headquarters over the next couple of weeks. Work will include the erection of a brand new entrance at the Glenshane Road, completion of the disabled area, further development around the gym and the clearance of an area at the upper end of the stand where the ball wall and play area will be located. A small piece of land has also been purchased recently along the Glenshane Road which will be used for further development of our premises further down the line. Finally, the club will be launching their annual Christmas fundraising venture over the next few weeks. This year the Watty Balldrop will take place when 4 balls will be dropped unto the pitch from a helicopter. The lucky winners will receive prizes of 1000, 500, 300 and 200. I would appeal to all members to help co ordinate this initiative and also purchase tickets to provide much needed income both to help progress our teams next year and also for future development of our playing pitches. Is mise le meas, Sean Keane (Cathaoirleach)
Minor Football: On Monday evening our minors travelled to Moneymore for their championship semi final, with Swatragh providing the opposition. Glen started the brighter with opened the scoring with points from Danny Tallon, Shay McMath and Tiarnan Flanagan. Glen were facing a blanket Swatragh defence but still created numerous chances. Swatragh scored a few points of their own but the Watty response was a well worked goal by Danny Tallon. Other Glen point scorers were Mark Doole, Jack Doherty and Conall Darragh. Half time score Glen 1 06 Swatragh 0 06. Swatragh started brighter in the second period and soon had the teams on level terms with some fine points. However the introduction of Conor Glass galvanised the Glen lads and Conor soon raced through and blasted to the Swatragh net. Glen pushed on at this stage and soon added another goal from Tiarnan Flanagan and points from Jack Doherty, Oran McGill, Conall Darragh, Danny Tallon and the impressive Tomas Convery. Well done to all on a comprehensive victory. Glen will now face Magherafelt in the County Final with our boys hoping to create history and win their fourth consecutive Minor Championship. Reserve Football: The reserves relinquished the Graham Cup on Sunday past after being defeated by a Moneymore side, who like ourselves, had been unbeaten all year. Moneymore started the game much the brighter and at one stage in the first half they had led by six points, a lucky goal contributing to that lead. Our lads continued to knock the ball over the bar and with two minutes to the half they had reduced the deficit to just two points, however some slack tracking back and defending led to Moneymore getting a second goal on the stroke of half time. Half Time Score: Glen 0 07 Moneymore 2 06. It was nip and tuck at the start of the second half but soon the Glen lads clicked into gear and with the help of a good goal by Aodhan McGrath they managed to cut the deficit to the minimum and were looking much the better team at this stage. However, with the game becoming stretched Moneymore were the ones who managed to tag on the scores with our wastefulness in front of goal helping their cause and they ran out winners in the end on a scoreline of Glen 1 11 Moneymore 2 12. Team & Scorers: Ciaran McCloy, Oisin Hegarty, Sean Convery, Conor Gallagher, Brendan O Kane, Connor Carville, Declan Brolly, Johnny Glass, Damien McKernan, Ryan Bradley, Connlan Bradley (0 02), Marc Cudden (0 01), Paul Gunning (0 03), Aodhan McGrath (1 01), Conor Convery (0 04). Subs: Sean Gribbon for Damien McKernan, Conor McDevitt for Brendan O Kane. Ben McGuckin, Blaine O Donnell, Odhran Glass, Colm Sargent, Kevin Brolly, Kevin McErlean and Shay Gormley. The reserves season still continues and they are awaiting the re fixture of their postponed championship semi final with Slaughtmanus. Keeping checking the website for details and try and give the lads your support.
Camogie: The under 16's hosted Bellaghy on Tuesday evening for the re fixed league game. They came out with a four point victory. This team has progressed steadily throughout the year and deserved their victory. Well done to the players and management team for their hard work this season. The senior team made the short journey to Slaughtneil for the much awaited championship clash with Newbridge. Newbridge had defeated them heavily in the league game and with Glen losing two players through long term injuries since that game the odds were stacked against them. Newbridge got off the mark quickly with a pointed free with just two minutes on the clock. Glen did have the chance to equalise from the placed ball on a couple of occasions but their efforts went wide. The first goal of the game came from Newbridge mid way through the half. The Glen defense was under a lot of pressure but worked tirelessly to prevent the gap widening. Newbridge were on top in mid field and added four points from play before Glen opened their scoring, a free from Niamh Gallagher but Newbridge replied with a point of their own to leave the half time score Newbridge 1 6 Glen 0 1. The second half saw Glen get to grips with the game but their cause wasn't helped when Newbridge against the run of play hit the net again and followed it up by a point to stretch their lead. To the Glen girls credit they didn't give up and had the major percentage of the possession. Their work was rewarded when Caoimhe Mulholland scored a fine goal from a narrow angle. Niamh Gallagher added two points from frees before Newbridge registered their next score. The Glen girls were playing all the camogie but didn't finish enough of their many attacks with scores. Caoimhe Glass then added a point from play but this was wiped out and more with Newbridge going up the field and scoring their third goal. Caoimhe Glass added another point from play but Newbridge hit back and scored the last two points of the game to leave the final score Glen 1 5 Newbridge 3 10. The scoreline doesn't give a fair representation of the work the girls put in and the competitiveness of the game but it s the scoreboard that counts so we will have to wait another year. Hopefully we will have better luck with injuries next season. Team & Scorers: Orla McGillian, Kiera Mulholland, Carla Bradley, Hannah Ferguson, Nuala Convery, Danielle McCrystal, Clare McGroogan, Caoimhe Glass(0 2), Niamh McKenna, Aileen McKenna, Cathy Patterson, Niamh Gallagher(0 3), Sinead Dillon & Caoimhe Mulholland(1 0) Subs used Charlotte Burke, Roisin McCabe and Leanne McCrystal. The U 6, U 8 and U 10 teams took part in the Ballinascreen blitz on Sunday. The under 6 team had a great tournament. They won every game they played and had a great time doing this. They are a joy to watch and thanks to the management team for their work with this age group all season. The under eights had a successful tournament too. They progresses the semi final where they were pitted against Ballinascreen but just missed out on the final by a single score. These girls have come on leaps and bounds this year and have a great future in front of them. Well done to the management team
who have looked after them all year. The under 10's fielded two teams and were the stars of the day. They went through the league stages unbeaten and playing their best camogie of the season. This brought them to the semi final where they beat Ballinascreen. This meant they played Kilrea who have won most of the tournaments this year. We has already drawn with them in the league stages. The game was played at a fierce pace and the girls gave their all. At full time it was a draw again and this didn t change after two periods of extra time so it went to the golden score. Unfortunately Kilrea sneaked a goal to win the tournament. Our girls were fantastic all day and it would have been just reward to finish the season with a trophy but it wasn't to be. The Glen B team had a very good tournament too competing with the A teams from the other clubs. They played some fine camogie and worked hard all day. This bunch of girls have shown great promise and skill and with continued hard work will be our future senior team. Well done to all our under age players and their management teams. Croke Park 10 year tickets Please note that there a number of 10 year tickets available to paid up Club members, commencing with All Ireland Finals September 2015. The scheme will run for a period covering 10 All Ireland Hurling and Football finals and related replays. All payments to be made two weeks before the closing date of 31st October 2014. Cheques should be made payable to GAA, or payment with a card or electronic transfer. Please contact the Aine Bradley on 07825840884 (Secretary) if you are interested and for more details about payment. Cost is 3500 euros for the package (two tickets). All Ireland Hurling & Football Tickets: Winners of the All Ireland Hurling & Football Tickets are as follows: Hurling Sean Gribbon, Conall McKee, Andy Warnock and Orlaith Lee. Football Sean McMullan, Bronagh Mulholland, Una Ferguson and Conor Molloy. Tickets cost 65 and can be collected from Eamon Convery. Under 8 & 10 Football: Well done to the Under 8 & 10 footballers who took part in the Magherafelt tournament on Saturday. All performed brilliantly and our Under 8 B team won the shield, beating Ballinascreen in the final. Our Under 10 A team progressed to the final but were narrowly defeated by Bellaghy. Well done to all involved. Pilates Classes: There will be a six week block of Pilates classes starting in the Glen Centre on Tuesday 2nd September 8 9pm. To book please contact Briege Doogan on 07708961774 or via email at bconvery@live.co.uk
Free Activities in the Glen Centre: Yoga Classes Friday 19 th September 10am 11:30am until 28 th November. Men s OVER 50 S activities/ keep fit Thursday 4 th Sept 3.30 4.30pm until 30 th October. Everyone welcome! FUNdamentals Notice: Parents of children that attend Fundamentals should note that there will be no more training until Friday 12th September 2014. Gear Shop: The Gear Shop is now located in the new Gym building at the pitch (black door nearest the small training pitch) and will be open every Sunday morning during Underage training hours. New training jerseys are now in stock. Kids 25, Adults 30. For inquiries regarding gear please contact Conor Molloy 07810556039; Donal Convery 07833336106; Roisin Lagan 07759838461 or Louise Strathern 07756400317. Keep Updated: Keep updated with all the goings on in the club at the official club website (www.wattygrahamsgac.com); Facebook (Watty Grahams Glen GAC) and twitter (@WattygrahamsGAA). One member of each management team in all codes is asked to email a short match report to the PRO (pro.glenmaghera.derry@gaa.ie) for inclusion in weekly notes. Also please send details of upcoming fixtures for inclusion on club website.