Saul Notes - Nov 11th
2007
Boys Presentation
Saul boys presentation
was a tremendous success on Saturday
past and it was great to see so many
families represented. Everybody pitched
in to make it a great night with parents
providing food and drink with the
help of "The Slaney Inn".
The evening started with a photo montage
slide show of boys' football up to
Under14 level in Saul during the 2007
season. Down ,Ulster and Loughinisland
star Dan Gordon got the biggest cheer
of the night on arrival and he spoke
to the kids about the importance of
club loyalty and pride in your community.
He explained how he would like to
see more players from East Down clubs
like Saul pushing for places on the
various county squads and was delighted
to see that Brendan Breen, Rory Mullen
and Cathail and Deaglan Arnold were
part of the East Down U14 development
squad this year.
As part of the presentations,
all under 8 players received a football
in recognition of their efforts with
James Mahoney named most improved
player. The under 10s were recognised
for their successes at various blitzes
throughout the year and the club has
great hopes for this talented group
of lads. Again each player received
a football with Timothy "Gooch"
Hayes named as most improved. The
exceptional performances of the under
12 squad were also recognised. They
were the first Saul team in many years
to compete at "A" level
and their skill and teamwork made
them a match for anyone in the county.
Sam McKee was a popular choice as
most improved player at this age group.
Saul's all-conquering
under 14 team received their medals
in addition to a booklet summarising
their superb season which included
league and "An Ríocht
Shield" success. Leigh Cunningham
and Conaill McGrady received awards
for their prolific scoring exploits
while Rory Mullen and Philip Traynor
received the player of the year awards.
It was noted that while individual
awards are enjoyable, success in GAA
is a team effort and the contribution
of all parents, coaches and especially
players is what made Saul's underage
success in 2007 possible.
Under 10 winners with Dan Gordon and
Manager Kevin Fitzsimons
Under 12s with Dan Gordon and Saul
Managers, Dr Eddie Harney and Tony
Molyneaux
The successful U14 squad with management
team, John Cunningham,Barry Quayle
and Paul Dunlop plus special guest
Dan Gordon
Dan Gordon with the Saul players selected
on the U14s East Down select side
- Brendan Breen, Cathail and Deaglan
Arnold and Rory Mullen.
Under 8 award winners with special
guest Dan Gordon and Manager Kevin
Fitzsimons
Under 13s fall to
Carryduff in penultimate league game
Saul under 13s played
host to Carryduff at Páirc
Sabhall Phádraig on Sunday
past. Carryduff have become one of
the giants of Down underage football
in recent years and Saul knew they
had a battle on their hands.
The visitors hit
for a couple of early scores but Saul
started to string together some slick
moves. Jack Murnin grabbed an early
point from an impossible position
and followed up with another on the
run. Sam Burns ran through from midfield
to rattle the back of the net and
a superbly struck penalty from the
always effective Conor Marron put
Saul in front. Saul continued to battle
bravely until half-time but "The
'Duff" grabbed a couple of late
goals despite the heroics of keeper
Tiarnan Curran. The elements favoured
Carryduff in the second half and Saul
found it more difficult to work the
ball out. However, Saul's defiant
rearguard action led by Paul McMullan
and Cormac Byrne ensured Carryduff
scores were kept to a minimum. Tony
Molyneaux battled strongly in the
middle while Ciarán Harney
and Cathal Sloan worked their socks
off up front. Although Carryduff eventually
secured success, Saul will look back
on this game with great pride, with
their teamwork and skill improving
with every outing.
The under 13s finish
their campaign this Sunday at home
to Bredagh with the players to meet
up at 11.15am as usual. Floodlit Training
continues on Thursday at 6pm.
Saul Scor-na-Nog
teams march on to County Finals
To complete a busy
weekend for the club, Sunday afternoon
saw Saul representatives compete in
6 of the 8 categories in the East
Down Scor-na-Nog finals with ultimate
success in 3 of those sections including
an East Down title in Ballad Group.
First up were the
ceili dancers and the youthful Saul
dancers will have gained great experience
for next year as the East Down title
went to Carryduff with Loughinisland
as runners up. Thanks to the Saul
dancers - Katie and Aoife Quinn, Molly
Murnin, Taylor Murnin, Katie Lowry,
Sarah Bohill, Bronagh Sealey and Roisin
Rice - for a great effort. In Solo
Singing, Cristina Holland performed
well and was unlucky to lose out to
Castlewellan (winners) and St Johns
and the same fate befell Sarah McVeigh
in Recitation when she was pipped
to the qualifying places by Castlewellan
and Carryduff. In Instrumental Music
however, Saul had their first success
of the night when an excellent performance
from Sarah McVeigh, Cristina Holland,
Michael McMullan and Paul and Brian
Riordan saw them claim the runners-ups
slot in what must have been a close
run finish with winners Castlewellan.
The Ballad Group of Grainne Laverty,
Nicole Leung-Soon, Sarah McVeigh,
Cristina Holland and Roisin Sloan
went one further and grabbed the title
with a fantastically harmonised performance.
Loughinisland also went through as
runners-up. Finally, a well acted
and humourous piece from the Novelty
Act team saw them also through although
as runners-up to Kilcoo. Niall Laverty,
Sarah McVeigh, Grainne Laverty, Nicole
Leung-Soon, Orla Holland, Roisin Sloan,
Owen McVeigh and Cristina Holland
know that Delaney's donkey and supporting
team can see them compete for the
honours in the County final. So overall,
1 East Down title secured in Ballad
Group and accompanied by 2nd places
for Instrumental Music and Novelty
Act. The teams now go on to the County
Final in Saval Community Center on
Sunday week (Nov 25th). Well done
to all the competitors and good luck
to the county finalists in Saval.
Finally, on the cultural
side, Saul GAC Ceili Club dancers
compete in the Ulster Dance championships
in Derry this weekend in defence of
the titles they won last year. Good
luck from all at Saul
Club Dates (events
in the clubrooms unless otherwise
stated)
- Annual Club Dinner
Dance - This Friday night (Nov 16th)
in the Burrendale Newcastle (Final
tickets available now from all committee
members - price £25)
- County Down Scor-na-Nog Final in
Saval Community Centre - Sunday, November
25th.
- Childrens Quiz - Sunday, Nov 25th
@ 4pm (note this may be changed due
to clash with County Scor-na-Nog final)
- Annual General Meeting - Sun, Dec
16th @2pm
