Club Fixtures

On week ending 15^th of March we expect to have a full programme of league fixtures for ACL Div1, 3, and 4. More details in next week’s notes.

Club Results

ACL Div. 1, Na Dúnta 0-13 Coralstown Kinnegad 0-05

On Monday the 24^th of February we travelled to Kinnegad to commence our campaign in division one. On a crisp cold night both teams were evenly matched during the first half with scores at a premium in the difficult underfoot conditions. The Downs opened the scoring with a well worked point from play by Ciaran Nolan. The Downs added another point shortly after to go two up, before Coralstown Kinnegad responded with a point This was the pattern of play for the remainder of the half with The Downs holding a two point advantage at the break on a score line of 0-05 to 0-03.

The intensity of the game improved in the second half with both teams playing some good combination football. The Downs gradually began to assert their dominance and opened up a five point lead midway through the half. The Downs dominated the final quarter of the game and ran out convincing winners on a score line 0-13 to 0-05.

Team: Adam Loughlin, Peter Murray, Jack Hogan, Niall Nolan, Joe Moran, Mark Kelly, Oisin Murphy, Dean Clarke, Jonathan Lynam, Harry Caulfield, Conor Murray, Kevin O’Sullivan, Ciaran Nolan, Andrew Kilmartin.

Subs Used: Dylan Carroll, Stephen Wynne, Eanna Burke, Shane Power.

ACL Div.1 Na Dúnta 5-11 Castledaly 1-06

On Friday night last we played hosts to Castleday in round two of the league. The Downs started this game in lively fashion and had run up a lead 2-03 to 0-01, against a strong breeze, after fifteen minutes. Castledaly came more into the game at this stage and added 1-03 to The Downs 0-02 to leave the half time score at 2-05 to 1-04 in favour of The Downs.

The weather conditions deteriorated badly in the second half with the arrival of high winds and heavy rain. This did not impede The Downs progress and we went on to completely dominate the half, adding a further 3-06 to our first half tally to run out convincing winners on a score line of 5-11 to 1-06.

Team: Adam Laughlin, Peter Murray, Jack Hogan, Conor Gavin, Joe Moran, Mark Kelly, Eanna Burke, Dean Clarke, Jonathan Lynam, Harry Caulfield, Conor Murray, Kevin O’Sullivan, Ciaran Nolan, Luke Folan, Andrew Kilmartin.

Subs Used: Philip Doherty, Shane Power, Stephen Wynne, Oisin Murphy, Shane Raleigh

ACL Div 4, Na Dúnta  4-11   St. Paul’s 0-07.

On Sunday last we travelled to Clonmellon to take on St. Paul’s in round two of the league.

St. Paul’s stormed into the game and with wind advantage and opened up a three point lead after ten minutes of play. The Downs were under the cosh at this stage and were struggling to cope with the physically stronger St. Paul’s outfit and the strong wind. Further pressure was added when we had a player dismissed on a black card, midway through the half. However this seemed to spur us on and we gradually came more into the game with Jack and Shane Carroll adding points from play and placed balls to leave the minimum between the sides at the tree quarter stage of the half. The decisive score of the half arrived on the twenty fifth minute when Mark Newman netted a well worked goal to put The Downs in the lead for the first time. We added one more point to lead at the interval on a score line of 1-04 to 0-05.

In the second half The Downs dominated proceedings and with some great combination play added a further 3-07, the goals coming courtesy of Donal Coughlan, Ben Harte and Donal Doherty, to run out winners on a score line of    

4-11 to 0-05.

Congratulations to Sean Power, Gary Cleary, and Donal Doherty on making their senior debut.

Well done to St Paul’s for having their pitch in such good order after such bad weather conditions over the weekend.

Team; Adam Conneely, Cian Carty, Conor Gavin, Keith Carroll, Cian McCourt, Shane Murtagh, Matthew Cunningham, Dylan Carroll Oisin Raleigh, Donal Coughlan, Ben Harte, Andrew Dalton, Jack Carroll, Mark Newman, Shane Carroll. Subs used: Sean Power, Donal Doherty, John Smyth, Gary Cleary, Kyle Bracken.

ACL Div. 3, Na Dúnta V Bunbrosna scheduled for Saturday 29^th was postponed due to extreme weather conditions.

Club Lotto Results 04/03/2020

Jackpot: €14,000

Numbers drawn: 3, 12, 16, 17

Result: No Jackpot Winner

2 x €100 Winners:  Mary Farrell, Seamus Devine.

Next week's jackpot will be €14,000.

Play locally by purchasing a ticket from any one of our sellers or online at www.thedownsgaa.com.

Bingo jackpot €11,900

Bingo continues every Friday at 8.30pm, come along and bring a friend for an enjoyable night’s entertainment. The Jackpot for week ending of 6^th of March  stands at €11,900. Volunteers are needed to help with Bingo on a rota for just one night per month. For further details please contact Tommy 087-2949714 or any committee member.

Scór News

The Club hosted the county final of Senior Scór last Saturday  Despite atrocious weather conditions  a good size crowd turned up to witness a great night’s entertainment. Before proceedings commenced a minutes silence was observed for the late Arthur Fallon.

The Downs had five acts on stage but unfortunately success was not our lot on the night. Well done to all our competitors and mentors.

Congratulations to all winners who go on to participate in the Leinster Semi Final in The Downs on Saturday March 7^th, commencing at 5-00pm

Underage Registration/Coaching

Due to the very inclement weather conditions last Saturday underage coaching was cancelled.

We recommence coaching this Saturday from 5-00pm to 6-00pm.Registration forms will be available for anyone who has not yet registered.

You can also register online at www.thedownsgaa.com.

Garda Vetting/Child Protection/Foundation Level Coaching

Now that the Underage coaching season will commence this Saturday, we wish to remind all volunteers that it is a mandatory requirement to be Garda Vetted, to have the necessary Child Protection Course completed and to have the basic Foundation Level coaching course completed in advance of any coaching activity. Any Queries in relation to Garda Vetting or Child Protection please contact either of our Welfare Officers at clodagh.donohoe@gmail.com or Mary @ 0868304195.

Club Shop

Our club shop will be open this Saturday from 5-00pm to 6-00pm, during underage coaching,

Membership 2020

Membership can be purchased via anyone of our Committee or online at www.thedownsgaa.com.

Playing Pitches

We wish to remind all team mentors that the playing facilities must be booked in advance. Given that the club caters for over twenty teams and host numerous club games during the season it is essential that we manage this in an organised fashion to ensure that all teams get an opportunity to avail of the facilities. We also ask that players and mentors be mindful of weather conditions and not to use the pitches in periods of inclement weather conditions such as those experienced during the recent winter storms.

With the imminent redevelopment of juvenile pitch about to commence, further pressure on training space will be a feature of the season. We ask for everyone’s patience in this while this important development work is undertaken.

Gaelic4Mothers and Others Initiative

Get out Get Active initiative commences on Wednesday April 15^th from 7-00 to 8-00pm.

For further details contact Ann Marie on 0874140184

Club Calendar 2020

For the last number of years we have been producing a Club Calendar, as a fundraiser for our underage. The calendar chronicles various club activities and occasions through a wonderful series of splendid photos.. Copies are now available in the Club Shop, Flynn Fuels and in the clubhouse bar and retail at €10 each or two for €15.

Thanks to Bernie Conneely, Norma Mullen John McCauley, Tommy Macken, Danny Boyce, Westmeath Topic, Westmeath Examiner for their photographs. We also thank all those who sponsored this production.

Keep Fit Classes for Ladies and Gents

Classes continue each Monday and Thursday night in the Clubhouse, from 8-00 to 9-00pm,

New participants are welcome. For further details contact Mickey Dan on 0862799659

Ireland Lights Up Walking Initiative

The popular ‘Ireland Lights Up’ walking initiative returns in January 2020 in partnership with the GAA, Operation Transformation, and Get Ireland Walking. The Downs GAA Club will be Lighting up and walking on Thursday nights from 7pm to 8pm. All are welcome, and bring a friend

Sympathy

The Downs GAA Club extends sincere sympathy to the family relatives and friends of the late Arthur Fallon, Cullion Beg, Mullingar.

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 and Instagram.

Club text message service

If you wish to sign up and receive our occasional free text messages, text your name and number to 087 8362297. If you wish to stop receiving our messages, then text STOP and your name to 087 8362297.