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Saul Notes - July 9th 2006

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Saul GAC Club Notes for week of July 9th 2006

 

• Teams Roundup:
   

  • Reserves: Teconnaught 2-8; Saul 4-13
     

In the East Down Reserve league last Wednesday night in the summer sunshine, Saul reserves turned in a fantastic display of attacking football to run out easy winners and record their 3rd win in a row. Indeed the quality of performance needs to be balanced also on the fact that Saul lost captain Gareth Casement to a red card midway through the first half and the home side's goals both came in the last 2 minutes of the match.

After a slow start and 2 early wides from the home side, a huge Nathan Keenan free opened the scoring for Saul which Teconnaught cancelled on their next attack. With possession being contested closely in the midfield third, the crucial first half difference arrived midway through when Brendan Curran saw his goal chance blocked down only for Jason Dagens to volley the rebound to the net for a lead that Saul never again were to lose. Points from Curran, Dagens, Keenan (2) plus a late score from Philip Cheetham gave Saul a lead of 1-6 to 0-5 at the break as the home side kept within touching distance with their by now 1 man advantage.

The half-time team talk allowed managers Molloy and Shields to settle the Saul boys for the 2nd half and what a response they gave. After an early home point it was all blue and gold as Conor Shields, Ronan Brady and Mick McMillen cleaned up any home attacks and led the foundation for an all out attacking display which sealed the victory. Between the 5th and 20th minute the Teconnaught net bulged three times with goals from Cheetham (2 - bottom right and top left) and Craig. These bracketed minor scores from Dagens, Chris Fitzsimons (2), Ryan Burns (2), Barry Curran and Keenan. On the closing minutes, a brave Teconnaught side never gave up and were rewarded with 2-2 (1 penalty) but Saul reserves had sealed an impressive victory setting them up for the visit of table-topping Bredagh after the holiday break.
 

• Cul Camp, Saul - a roaring success
   

Saul were one of the first batch of clubs in Ireland to host a VHI CÚL CAMP this week and what a success it was. Down senior star Conor Laverty organised the event, fresh from his coaching success with Kilcoo - they became All-Ireland under 14 champions last weekend. The week ran off very smoothly thanks to 8 superb coaches and 60 highly skilled and well behaved kids.

Far be it from us GAA members to boast, but what other sports organisation can offer the package offered at Saul this week: daily coaching by highly motivated expert coaches, full kit, knapsack, water bottle, games, races, health advice, quizzes, open to all boys and girls aged 7 to 14, all at a venue on your doorstep!!!

A number of parents have asked that we thank all involved, particularly Conor Laverty and our own chairman Peter Craig for a highly enjoyable week.

• Fixtures
   

We're now into the well earned holiday fixture break which lasts until Sunday July 23rd with the seniors and reserves getting the action back underway on that day. The next set of fixtures then are:
 

• Seniors at home to Glassdrumman on Sunday, July 23rd (3pm)

• Reserves at home to Bredagh also on Sun, July 23rd (7pm)

• U16s at home to Ardglass on Tues, July 25th (7.30pm) while the seniors travel to Warrenpoint on the same night (8pm)

• Club Teams Training
   

At underage levels, we're already into a 2 week break on training with the U12 and U14 girls returning to training on Thursday July 20th (6pm) and the U12 Boys returning for Go Games on Sunday July 23rd (11.30am).Training will then be back in full swing for all teams on Tuesdays (U10, U12 boys) (6.15pm) and on Thursdays (6pm) and Sundays (12.30pm) for the girls teams.  In the meantime, have a great break and come back refreshed and ready to go.

Senior and Reserve training will continue as normal throughout the break - keep an eye on the website for details