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.

Collegeland GAC Club Notes

Intermediate League -Away

Collegeland O’Rahilly’s travelled to north Armagh on Wednesday 18th April to Taghnevan in Lurgan to play St Pauls in an Intermediate League fixture. The evening was cold and dry on the big pitch. St Pauls opened the scoring with a free. Collegeland had 3 wides before Gareth McArdle pointed. St Pauls then got 2 points followed by a goal midway through the half. Both sides had 2 points apiece, Collegeland’s from Gareth McArdle and Nathan McParland. Collegeland then had a few wides.  St Pauls got 2 more points. Gareth McArdle scored for Collegeland in the dying minutes of the half but St Pauls had the final score of the half.  Half time St Pauls 1-8 Collegeland 0-4.

On the restart  St Pauls went further in front with a 13 metre free. Collegeland’s fist point of the second half on eight  minutes came from Nathan McParland. Both sides then had wides before Collegeland had a purple patch, three points midway through the second half by Nathan McParland, Tom Murphy, and Jack McGeary which cut the deficit to four points.  St Pauls scored again. Collegeland’s final point came on the twenty-eight  minute through Nathan McParland.  St Pauls had the final score of the game to win, St Pauls 1-11 Collegeland 0-9.

This result leaves us with 4 points from 4 games.   Collegeland shot 15 wides over the hour to St Pauls 13. St Pauls were the better team and could have scored another goal but for great defending by the defence.

Collegeland Squad: – Tommy McGeary, Ruari McGeary, Eamonn McGeary, Sean McNicholl, Brian Mitchell, Nathan McParland, Ryan McParland, Mickey Cullen, Tom Murphy, Karol McGeary,  Stephen Clancy,  Gareth McArdle,  Barry Colhoun,  Barry O’Neill,  Jack McGeary, Brian McGeary.

Intermediate League- Sunday Home

Collegeland O’Rahillys welcomed St Michaels Newtownhamilton to the Fr McKnight Memorial Park on Sunday  22nd  April for an Intermediate League fixture. Collegeland opened the scoring with a Tom Murphy point after six minutes as both sides had earlier managed only wides.  Jack McGeary added a second a minute later.  In the ninth minute Ryan McParland cut out a St Michaels attack and the ball found its way to Brian McGeary who finished to the net.  A minute later Brian Mitchell cleared out of defence the ball worked cleverly to Nathan McParland who despatched the ball to the net for the second goal. Collegeland were on fire at the stage and should have added at third but the ball went wide. St Michaels pointed in the 16th minute and Gareth McArdle scored for the O’Rahillys.  Brian McGeary suffered  an injury when helping in defence and was replaced by Barry Colhoun. The visitors  then hit back with 2 points.  Karol McGeary then settled things with two lovely  points from play for Collegeland and in between St Michaels had a score.   Half-time score Collegeland 2-5 St Michaels 0-5.

The second half saw St Michaels apply the pressure. They shot four wides before they registered two points in the 8th and 10th minutes. Points by Gareth McArdle, a  free over the bar from  Tom Murphy, and Nathan McParland again in the 14th, 18th, and  19th minutes stretched the home sides lead.  St Michaels did try strongly to get back into the game but the superb Collegeland defence held firm.  Gareth McArdle had Collegeland’s final point in the24 minute. St Michaels had last score of the match.  Full time Collegeland O’Rahilly’s 2-9 St Michaels Newtownhamilton 0-8.

Collegeland’s stamina training in the gym told in the end and of course those two killer goals in the 9th and 10th minute did the damage. Manager Tommy Corr and his assistant Leo McGeary will be happy with the teams effort during the sixty minutes.  Collegeland now have six league points from the first five games.   Next up is a trip to south Armagh to Mullaghbawn, Benny Tierney’s club.

Collegeland Squad: Macartan McGeary,  Ruari McGeary, Tom Murphy, Eamonn McGeary, Brian Mitchell, Stephen Clancy, Sean McNicholl, Nathan McParland, Ryan McParland, Gareth McArdle, Karol McGeary, Paul Cullen, Jack McGeary, Brian McGeary, Mickey Cullen, Barry Colhoun, Cathal McCracken, Michael Hughes, Sean McDaid.

Reserve League

Last year we might have talked about the B League but it is called  the Reserve League this year.  We played our first game in Section A, which was brought forward to  Thursday night last to accommodate our neighbours Annaghmore.    With Collegeland under pressure at home with a shortage of subs, and under the rules not able to use the previous weekends senior starting fifteen,  then  it was always  going to be difficult  to win this one.  But this match did have the benefit of giving all our players a full game and allowed the newer squad members a chance to show what they could do;  Chris McCann, Michael Hughes, Aidan McCormack, and Bernard Mackle clearly enjoyed the experience.   This was also an opportunity for young players  Gary McCann and   Kevin McNicholl  to demonstrate  that they are  also competing  for places in the senior squad.

Next Reserve Fixture is at St Peters in Lurgan on Wed 25 April at 7.30 pm.  Players should notify managers Paddy Donnelly or Leo McGeary about match  availability or if they have not received recent  notifications on Teamer text.

Underage

The u16s Naomh Eoin team played Middletown in their first game of the season although they were beaten 3-4 to 0-8 they showed plenty of promise for future games as most of the players are first year u16s. Our u14s and minors also suffered narrow defeats.  The u-6s, u-8s, and u-10s are already training and the u-12 leagues start shortly.

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.

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.

Collegeland GAC Club notes

Camogie first time out.

All the under-12  girls took part in their first camogie blitz on Saturday last at Ballymacnab.  What a success! The girls had to participate in four games and they were up against strong opposition.  Over the past few weeks, in one of the newest camogie clubs in Ireland, Collegeland, the girls have been learning the basics of camogie skills under coaches Margaret Corr and Alisha Coney with the support of club members and parents. On Saturday morning after the first couple of games in the blitz they really started to enjoy their camogie and you could see them getting better with each game they played.  On their last match of the day the girls managed to get a draw so all left feeling very positive. Thanks again from the committee to  Margaret, Alicia, Michelle  and Stephen  for their help with training, to Mary Coleman and Paula Donnelly on the committee, and  to the parents who came along to support all of the girls. Thanks also to Ballymacnab who hosted the event as they made all of us extremely welcome.

Senior Football – Away win

Collegeland O’Rahillys travelled to Camlough on Wed 11 April to play Shane O’Neills.   This, our first away match of the new season in the Intermediate League was played on a heavy sod following an afternoon of rain and hailstones.  Collegeland opened the scoring with  a Nathan McParland point and Shanes levelled after three minutes. Then Ryan McParland got a point with Shanes getting level again. Two more points from Nathan and another from Stephen Clancy with replies from the home side left teams with five points each after 17 minutes. Although Shanes scored a further point Collegeland finished the first half strongly with three more points from Ryan McParland, Nathan McParland and Gareth McArdle leaving Collegeland ahead 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.  The second half opened with a goal from Shane O’Neills after six minutes putting them in front.  An injury to Matthew Murphy saw Jack McGeary enter the fray.  A Gareth McArdle point drew the sides level again. The sides exchanged points again with Stephen Clancy scoring for the visitors. Collegeland then went three in front entering the last quarter due to another point from Nathan McParland and two more from Gareth McArdle. The home side did manage to get one back but Karol McGeary  finished with a great point to leave us winners at  0-14 to 1-8.
Collegeland fielded; Macartan McGeary; Brian Mitchell; RuariMcGeary; Sean McNicholl; Matthew Murphy; Tom Murphy; Colm Mitchell; Karol McGeary; Stephen Clancy; Gareth McArdle; Ryan MCParland; Michael Hughes; Nathan McParland;  Brian McGeary; Barry Colhoun.  Sub used; Jack McGeary for Matthew Murphy, injured.

Senior football – home win

Collegeland’s second home match was when we welcomed St Peters, Lurgan back to the Fr McKnight Park in Collegeland on Sunday 15th April.  The day itself was sunny but there was a chill in the air  but conditions on the pitch were very excellent. The visitors opened the scoring with a point straight from the throw-in and quickly added two more in the first five minutes. Brian McGeary had a point for the home side but St Peters scored again.   It took a Nathan McParland Collegeland goal to get the O’Rahillys moving again. A further point from Nathan saw St Peters on the attack with two points to lead again. In the 25th minute Brian McGeary got on the end of a high ball into the edge of the square and fisted into the net. This was followed by points from Jack McGeary and Gareth McArdle. St Peters pointed in the dying seconds of the half to leave the half time score 2-4 to 0-7.

On the restart the visitors pointed quickly but  Nathan McParland replied for the home side. St Peters sent over a three further points without reply in the next 15 minutes to draw level.  A concerted effort now from Collegeland saw Brian McGeary give Collegeland the lead on the 22 minute of the second half. St Peters kept looking for that equalizing score but the defence remained solid and Collegeland finally made it safer with another Nathan McParland point to leave the final score  Collegeland 2-7  St Peters 0-11

Collegeland team; Macartan McGeary,  Brian Mitchell, Stephen Clancy, Sean McNicholl, Mickey Cullen,  Tom Murphy, Colm Mitchell, Karol McGeary, Paul Cullen, Gareth McArdle, Ryan McParland, Nathan McParland, Brian McGeary, Barry O’Neill,  Barry Colhoun.  Subs used; Jack McGeary for Colm Mitchell [injured]

The next game in the Intermediate League is on Wed night at 7.00 pm at St Pauls. This will be another tough match but three good performances has left us with 2 wins out of 3 so the belief is there.   We now hope to get the B team,  or the Reserves to use their new 2012 title, out for their first game this week against neighbours Annaghmore. Watch notice board at gate or website for up-to-date information on match days and times.

CCCDA

The local development group CCCDA have just recently received the completed report from consultants which was funded by European monies. Further details soon on launch and circulation of report findings and recommendations.

First Aid Course.

This new course  in Paediatric First Aid — Level 2  will start at the end of April in the Clubrooms, Collegeland 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.

Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC

Football

A half time lead of two points was not enough for Collegeland O’Rahillys  to secure victory at the final whistle  as Silverbridge Harps  landed a winning  point in injury time at Collegeland’s Fr McKnight Park.   This was an early re-fixture in the Armagh “Simplyfruit.com” Intermediate Football League  as the league  officially start on 1 April.

An opening point  from Brian McGeary  followed by his second  on 15 mins with  a further point from  Stephen Clancy left Collegeland trailing by 1:3 to 0:3 after 19 minutes.   But the determination and discipline shown by Collegeland was well rewarded as the next 11 minutes belonged to the O’Rahillys. Following a point from Paul Cullen,  Brian McGeary brilliantly hammered a free kick through the wall of defenders into the net to put the home side in front and Gareth McArdle  stretched the lead to two points.  Half time 1:5 to 1:3.

Mickey Cullen opened the second half with a point but Silverbridge replied with two of their own. Stephen Clancy’s second point was responded to by another three  from Silverbridge which left them in front after 12  minutes.  But  Mickey Cullen soon pointed to level the score again mid way through the second half.   The visitors turned on the pressure  with two points    but Collegeland rallied strongly and the final ten minutes produced  points apiece from Gareth McArdle and Stephen Clancy which seemed to have secured a draw.   An injury time point  left Silverbridge in the lead and  despite a couple  of  late chances Collegeland could not get that elusive last score. Fulltime score Collegeland 1:10 to Silverbridge 1:11

This was highly entertaining  and keenly contested match between two teams interested only in playing football  and Referee Dessie McDonnell was able to keep the play flowing without incident.

Despite losing six players who have emigrated since last year and a couple of current injuries this was an encouraging start to the season.   Eamonn McGeary and Brian Mitchell were the pick of the defence while Tom Murphy, Brian McGeary and Ryan McParland  bossed the game in the first half and were the pick of the forwards.

Collegeland team: – Tommy McGeary, Brian Mitchell, Eamonn McGeary, Colm Mitchell, Ruari McGeary, Stephen Clancy, Paul Cullen, Matthew Murphy, Karol McGeary, Sean McNicholl, Ryan McParland, Barry O’Neill, Tom Murphy, Brian McGeary, Gareth  McArdle. Subs used:- Mickey Cullen, Macartan McGeary, Barry Colhoun, Cathal McCracken.

Jigs and Reels Cheque Presentations

Jigs and Reels organisers Frank Donnelly and Kathleen Bullock welcomed Club representatives to St Peters PS and Playgroup  to take part in  the presentation of  substantial cheques to  Pat Brannigan,  St Peter’s Primary School and Playgroup  and to  Tommy Mitchell, Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC .

Thanks again to Cathy Grew, the dancers and their coaches for their long hours practicing from last September and for their uplifting and entertaining  performances;- Colm McGeary & Tina Callaghan, Winners, coached by Siobhan Mackle;    Sean Maguire & Cathy Conway coached by Roisin Curran;    Peter Donnelly & Kamile Zineviciute coached by Abby Brown;    Eamonn McGeary & Rebecca McGeary coached by Lianna McGeary;    Jack McGeary & Roisin Mackle  coached by Gemma Finn; Gavin Campbell & Roisin Bullock coached by Padraigin  McKearney;    Barry McCormack & Bronagh McConville  coached by Mairéad Mitchell; Luke McCann & Helen Grew  coached by Cora Campbell.

Ladies

The very successful  Sport NI sponsored Active Ladies has now finished.  As well as  offering  these ladies  some useful health and fitness activities it has had other benefits  in bringing  new groups of ladies into Club activities.

Paula McNicholl’s Box n Tone classes continue on Thursday mornings.

Irish Dancing Classes continues on Tuesday nights with a new adult dancing class after the children’s classes.

Children’s camogie training continues on  Wed  nights  at 6.00pm at the Clubrooms.

CCCDA Computer Classes

Two computer classes are well underway  on Mondays  and Fridays.  A  new introductory Beginners Course in Computers will be starting soon.     Contact:- Brendan McGeary on 077 4009 9852   or Doreen Lappin, Community Development Officer,  Southern Regional College, Armagh.  Tel: 028 37512833   Mobile: 07736 336 152;   Email,    lappind@src.ac.uk or

Newsletter

The free  Club Newsletter  is now available. More advertisers are needed so we would appeal for any businesses looking for a small £10 per month advert to contact  Frank Donnelly, Chairman  or any Committee member

Membership

Final call for membership, only a few days left to register – contact Club officials by  Friday 30 March.    Adult Silver £30 membership or Gold membership at £10 per month or £120 per year.  The £100 Draws for Jan, Feb and March are  due to be held  next week so if you pay your £120 cash or cheque within the next few days  then you can be included in these three draws also. Don’t miss out.

Contact Frank Donnelly, Chair;  Tommy Mitchell, Secretary;  Brian McGeary, Registrar;  Kieran Hayes, Treasurer; or Stephen Clancy, Assistant Treasurer or your usual Club contact.

Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC

Football

The first match of the new League is on this Sunday 25 March at 1.30 pm  in Collegeland when we welcome Silverbridge to our Armagh “Simplyfruit.com” Intermediate Football League  fixture.

Collegeland O’Rahillys are a team rebuilding as we have lost a number of key players  due to emigration to Canada and Australia over recent weeks but the remaining players will give a good account of themselves against what we expect will be a strong Silverbridge team.  Our team  manager  Tommy Corr and assistant manager Leo McGeary  are confident that the O’Rahillys will put up a good challenge.   A large crowd is expected as  most other local teams will not have their first games until next week.

Membership

Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC appeals for more Club members to register before the fast approaching deadline for 2012.    Adult Silver £30 members are welcome but we also need another few more Gold members at £10 per month or £120 per year. The £100 Draws for Jan, Feb and March are  due to be held soon so if you pay your £120 cash or cheque within the next week then you can be included in these three draws also. Don’t miss out.

You can  contact Frank Donnelly, Chair;  Tommy Mitchell, Secretary;  Brian McGeary, Registrar;  Kieran Hayes, Treasurer; or Stephen Clancy, Assistant Treasurer or your usual Club contact.

Ladies

The Sport NI sponsored Active Ladies continues on Monday night, only a few weeks left so don’t miss this free opportunity. Bus leaves Clubrooms at 7pm.

Paula McNicholl’s Box n Tone classes continue on Thursday mornings.

Irish Dancing Classes continues on Tuesday nights with a new adult dancing class after the children’s classes.

Children’s camogie training continues on  Wed  nights  at 6.00pm at the Clubrooms.

CCCDA Computer Classes

Two computer classes are well underway  on Mondays  and Fridays.  A  new introductory Beginners Course in Computers will be starting soon.   Gain confidence in computer skills in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.  The “GET IT”  is a six week course for 2 hours one night a week costing £30.  You can learn a range of  practical skills and then with your new  found  confidence  progress to a  16  week  level  1 Learn  IT class for  free.   Topics to be Covered;- Using emails; use the internet; upload and save photos; use Microsoft Word basics; Facebook; Skype your Friends; Use pens and Storage.  Contact:- Brendan McGeary on 077 4009 9852   or Doreen Lappin, Community Development Officer,  Southern Regional College, Armagh.  Tel: 028 37512833   Mobile: 07736 336 152;   Email,    lappind@src.ac.uk or

Irish Stew and Culture Night

The  Irish Stew and Culture  Night  in celebration of St Patricks Day  was moved to the Sunday night as a mark of respect to the family of  local  man Seamus Connolly (RIP) who died suddenly on Thursday.

Newsletter

The free  Club Newsletter  is now available. More advertisers are needed so we would appeal for any businesses looking for a small £10 per month advert to contact  Frank Donnelly, Chairman  or any Committee member.

Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC

The big push on membership continues for the next few weeks.   Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC appeals for more Club members to register before the fast approaching deadline for 2012.

If you missed our well attended  Membership Day then please contact any Committee member as it is important.  We want to have  our 2012 membership finalised in the next few weeks  but definitely  by the  GAA HQ deadline for registration of  31 March.

A reminder that the  Club provides training and games  for young people from under 8 right through to under 21 through the Naomh Eoin joint structure and  the Collegeland has recently started a camogie club with almost 30 young girls already registered. Youth membership is £5 and adult membership starts at £30.

We would hope to see more families of our young Naomh Eoin players from the area as our Collegeland Club members.  Sometimes people are wary of joining a Club in case they are expected to do something extra but at the same time wanting the Club to provide their children with training and football.

Win £100

More adult Silver £30 members are welcome but we also need another few more Gold members at £10 per month or £120 per year. We already have sixty Gold members but ideally we would want to increase this to 75 Gold members.  You could win our Monthly Draw prize of £100, at present that gives Gold members a twelve in sixty chance i.e.  a one in five chance of winning, not bad odds.  The £100 Draws for Jan, Feb and March are  due to be held soon so if you pay your £120 cash or cheque within the next week then you can be included in these three draws also. Don’t miss out.

Gold Members will also be in the  first preference category for county championship tickets. That  local county derby Armagh v Tyrone is fast approaching so you might want to improve your chances of getting tickets.

A small number of last year’s members have not yet renewed their membership so this is your chance to make your payment arrangements.  You can  contact Frank Donnelly, Chair;  Tommy Mitchell, Secretary;  Brian McGeary, Registrar;  Kieran Hayes, Treasurer; or Stephen Clancy, Assistant Treasurer or your usual Club contact.

You can download the membership and bank Standing Order forms off our website www.collegelandorahillys.com

Football

The first challenge game of the new season was against Brocagh looking out over Lough Neagh.  This was a great workout and gave manager  Tommy Corr and assistant manager Leo McGeary a good opportunity to see our players in real competitive action.   But we travelled with the bare minimum of fifteen  players as we still have  a number of injuries and unavailable players.

Ladies

Paula McNicholl’s Box n Tone classes continue on Thursday mornings.

The Sport NI sponsored Active Ladies continues on Monday night, only a few weeks left so don’t miss this free opportunity. Bus leaves Clubrooms at 7pm

Irish Dancing Classes continues on Tuesday nights.

Camogie

We were delighted to see that thirty young girls attended the recent Collegeland camogie training. Training continues on  Wed  29 February  at 6.00pm at the Clubrooms.  Coaches  Margaret Corr and Alicia Coney are grateful for the help from other young  ladies who have agreed to help out.   Our Camogie training is open for all primary school ages P1 to P7 and those in first year  at secondary level.    All equipment is supplied.

CCCDA Computer Classes

Two computer classes are well underway  on Mondays  and Fridays. A  new introductory Beginners Course in Computers will be starting soon.   Gain confidence in computer skills in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.  The “GET IT”  is a six week course for 2 hours one night a week costing £30.  You can learn a range of  practical skills and then with your new  found  confidence  progress to a  16  week  level  1 Learn  IT class for  free.   Topics to be Covered;- Using emails; use the internet; upload and save photos; use Microsoft Word basics; Facebook; Skype your Friends; Use pens and Storage.  Contact:- Brendan McGeary on 077 4009 9852   or Doreen Lappin, Community Development Officer,  Southern Regional College, Armagh.  Tel: 028 37512833   Mobile: 07736 336 152;   Email,    lappind@src.ac.uk or

Newsletter

Watch out for the Club Newsletter  due out this weekend.    More advertisers are needed so we would appeal for any businesses looking for a small £10 per month advert to contact  Frank Donnelly, Chairman  or any Committee member.

Irish Stew and Culture Night

An Irish Stew and Culture  Night  in celebration of St Patricks Day will be held in Collegeland Clubrooms on Friday 16 March. Music, song and dance.  Guest appearance by some of  Jigs and Reels performers from the excellent   show in the Ryandale.   Tickets £5, contact John Mitchell, Sean Maguire, Paula Donnelly, Mary McGeary, or Maureen Donnelly.

Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC

There is a big push this week on membership in Collegeland.   This is an open invitation to adults and youth members to our Club Membership Day this Sunday in the Clubrooms between 12.30 and 3.30pm.   Collegeland O’Rahillys GAC appeals for more Club members to register before the deadline.   To keep you entertained while you sign up for membership  and pay your 2012 fees  you can watch clips of Collegeland and Naomh Eoin events on the Big Screen and  there is a promise of tea and biscuits.

A reminder that the Club provides for young people from under 8 right through to under 21 through Naomh Eoin and has recently started a camogie club. Youth membership is £5 and adults start at £30.

We  thank those parents and family members who already support the underage activities in a number of different ways.  We would hope to see more families of our young Naomh Eoin players from the area as our Collegeland Club members.  Sometimes people are wary of joining a Club in case they are expected to do something extra but at the same time wanting the Club to provide their children with training and football.

More thirty-pound members are welcome but we also need another few more Gold members at £10 per month or £120 per year. You could win our Monthly Draw prize of £100 and you will also be in the  first preference category for Armagh tickets.  That  local county derby with the neighbours is fast approaching so you might want to improve your chances of getting tickets.

A number of last year’s members have not yet renewed their membership so this is your chance to make your payment arrangements.  You can  contact Frank Donnelly, Chair; Brian McGeary, Registrar;  Kieran Hayes, Treasurer; or Stephen Clancy, Assistant Treasurer or your usual Club contact.

The first Club Works Day  of the year will be held this Saturday from 11 am  for a couple of hours  to begin to get the premises and grounds  ready for the new season.  A Needs Analysis has been carried out and the first phase of  Works Day improvements has been agreed so just come along and give one or two hours of your time.

The football season is fast approaching and will see Collegeland O’Rahillys in the  2012 Armagh Junior Football Championship with  our  first round game scheduled  for Morgan Athletic Grounds on Saturday night 28 July against Killean.

There is a lot of interest in the  formation of the  Three League Divisions for 2012 which is out  for consultation with the Clubs  at present. Our Committee and players are considering the details of three proposed groupings and what it might mean for our Club.  All  Clubs have until this Friday to give their views and then final decisions will be made by the Armagh CCC.

Active Ladies exercise class continues on Monday nights in Armagh. Transport as usual from the Collegeland Clubrooms at 7.00 pm.   Current numbers are a mix of ten local ladies, many of who are not normally involved with Club activities, and 10 new irish ladies working locally.  Still a few vacancies so more ladies  welcome.  This Free  course  is only made possible through the support of Sport Northern Ireland. Contact Frank Donnelly

Staying with the ladies, Paula McNicholl continues her   “ Box n Tone” session every Thursday morning 10.30 in the Clubrooms, £3.50 per session.

There was a great turn out for the St Brigid’s Cross Making demonstration  in the Clubrooms.

An Irish Stew and Culture Night is being organised for Friday 16 March, tickets will be available, and it promises to be a great night with a good  mixture of irish cultural items, more details later.

Interested in a First Aid course Contact:- Brendan McGeary on 077 4009 9852.  CCCDA continues to host the  computer class in conjunction with Armagh SRC in the Collegeland Clubrooms.  Brendan McGeary on 077 4009 9852   or Doreen Lappin, Community Development Officer,  Southern Regional College, Armagh.  Tel: 028 37512833   Mobile: 07736 336 152;   Email,    lappind@src.ac.uk

This  new introductory Beginners Course entitled  “GET IT”  is a six week course for 2 hours one night a week costing £30.  You can learn a range of  practical skills and then with your new  found  confidence  progress to a  16  week  level  1 Learn  IT class for  free.   Topics to be Covered;- Using emails; use the internet; upload and save photos; use Microsoft Word basics; Facebook; Skype your Friends; Use pens and Storage.

Just a reminder that the  whole community is welcome to join in all Club activities.

This week is about Membership so please join us or renew your membership and encourage others.