THE DOWNS GAA NOTES Oct 2nd 2023
LGFA
All roads lead to Shandonagh GAA last Sunday for the semi-final of the Village Barn Senior A championship between Na Dunta and St Lomans. Played in perfect weather conditions both teams battled hard throughout. Na Dunta took an early lead though St. Loman’s weren’t long about levelling. The Downs then hit 1-02 followed closely by a St. Loman’s goal leaving 2 points between the sides after the first quarter. The Downs went on to dominate the remainder of the first half with a Michelle Bohan goal helping them to a 2-07 to 1-04 half-time lead. The second half was low scoring but an end to end battle, with Na Dunta finding it difficult to break down the St. Lomans defensive and also having to deal with St. Lomans counter attacking from the back on multiple occasions. St, Lomans scored a goal with 5 minutes left narrowing the margin to 3 points. However, this would prove to be St Lomans last score and Na Dunta Ladies saw out the game on a final score-line of 2-8 to 2-5. The Downs will now face Milltown in the County Final in 2 weeks’ time with date and time to be confirmed.
Our U14 girls also had a fantastic win in the Division 4 semi-final against St. Mary’s Rochfortbridge last Saturday afternoon in what were atrocious weather conditions for football. The girls showed their courage and determination with a gritty performance against a strong and well drilled Rochfortbridge side earning themselves a place in the Final against Coralstown Kinnegad in two weeks with further details to be confirmed.
Underage Results
The U15’s will contest the Division 1 championship semi-final next Friday October 6th at 7 p.m. in Lakepoint Park against St. Lomans. Best of luck to all involved.
The U13 Division 4 team played Lilliput Gaels in the quarter-final of the League 2 last Friday at home under lights. The panel of players put on a terrific performance resulting in a win for Na Dúnta’s boys setting them up for a semi-final place with details to be confirmed.
U13 Division 4 TeamClub Shop
On account of our wonderful ladies’ team’s qualification for the county final, the club shop will be open for flags, bunting and other merchandise on Wednesday 11th October or if that doesn’t suit please contact Carmel on 0879496347 for any further requests.
TEG Sponsorship
We had confirmation this week from TEG that they would remain as the main sponsor of our underage programme for the next 5 years here at The Downs. We thank all at TEG for their continued support and appreciate their generosity.
Buckley’s SuperValu
We also had a visit from Eoin Kennedy of Buckley’s SuperValu to The Downs on Friday evening last to receive a presentation of a jersey signifying Buckley’s SuperValu’s support of The Downs Ladies LGFA. We thank them for their continued generosity and support.
Quid Games
The Downs GAA Club are being represented by clubman Jasper Rijksen in the upcoming Quid Games being rolled out by Westmeath GAA. We hosted a table quiz last Saturday evening in the clubhouse to help Jasper in his plight to be our Quid Games ambassador. Willie Geraghty did a fantastic job as Quizmaster and the crowd were treated to a very enjoyable evening. We thank all involved for supporting the event.
Donations are still welcome : https://www.clubspotevents.com/team-1/jasper-rijksen
Westmeath county board are hoping to raise over €200,000 from this major fundraiser on October 29th held in The Park Hotel. With all 47 clubs and a few “special guests” participating in some fun games on the night –the winning club will take away a whopping €10,000 for their club. All welcome.
Ben Jerseys
Back by public demand. Ben Jerseys are now available for order for Christmas. Closing date for orders is Saturday October 14th. Adult jerseys cost €45 while children’s cost €35. Please contact Alma (0877604990) or Carmel (0879496347) for further information.
Strength & Conditioning
Strength & conditioning classes resume in the clubhouse with Mickey-Dan Murtagh on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30-8-30 p.m. Beginning on October 3rd at a cost of €10 per session – all welcome.
Sympathy
We would like to extend our condolences to Jack Cooney and extended family on the sad passing of his father Dermot Cooney late of Coralstown, Kinnegad earlier this week.
We also send our sincere sympathies to the family of Oliver Faye late of Ballagh, Mullingar. Oliver was a past player for The Downs GAA.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
G4M&O
Training continues Wed evening 8-9 with yoga in Hardy Bucks on Thursdays 8-9. Please contact Anne-Marie on 0874140184 for any further information.
Vacancy Updated Link
New Updated Link: https://jobsireland.ie/en-US/job-Details?id=2237602The vacancy for the position of Caretaker/Groundsperson position at The Downs GAA Club is still available. Please see new updated link for information regarding same. This is a Community Employment Position with MSCO Ltd.
Bingo
Bingo continues every Friday night at 8.30 p.m. All new members welcome.
Clubhouse Bar
The Clubhouse bar is open on Fridays and Saturdays nights.
Club Lotto
We will continue to live stream our Lotto draw via our Facebook page for the foreseeable future. Tune in at 9-30 on each Monday night to catch the draw.
1.Add a discounted bundle to your Downs GAA club membership by clicking here.
2.Play online at our website www.thedownsgaa.com
3. Play online at Clubzapp http://bit.ly/3ItlksQ
4. Contact your regular draw collector for your area or any Committee member who will enter
your numbers on to our Perma Book which is retained at the club.
5. Send a cheque for €100 to club secretary Tommy Kelly, Coralstown, Mullingar (one year’s
subscription).
6. Or scan here:
Thanks to our supporters for their loyal commitment to our Fundraising Draw and to those new players who have signed up online and in hard copy.
Keep up to date with club activities
There are lots of ways to keep up to date with our activities. Our award-winning website can be viewed at www.thedownsgaa.com where you can sign up to receive our weekly newsletter by email. Also check us out on Twitter, Facebook YouTube and Instagram.
