Everyone at the club were shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely death of our underage player Conor Robb on Christmas Eve. We extend our deepest sympathy to his mother Suzanne and to his family and friends at this very difficult time. Conor joined the club in 2016 and played two full seasons for our U16s team. A tenacious player, he played most games as a forward and contributed with key scores as he helped his teammates finish runners up in the East Down U16A league in 2017 after finishing third in the 2016 season. Such was his character he jokingly joined in with the Liatroim players for a photo after they clinched the title with a last gasp win at Pairc Baile Anna in Annsborough. Conor was a likeable fella who showed respect for his manager and supported his team mates and this was reflected by a sizeable turnout of players and club members standing as guard of honour at his funeral last Friday morning. Gone but not forgotten, Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. A mhuire banrion na nGael, guigh ar a anam
We also saddened to learn of the passing of a Down GAA stalwart Dr Maurice Hayes. To his wife Joan and his children we send our condolences. Dr Hayes was instrumental in the most successful period for Down football which saw the footballers dominate the Ulster stage winning seven Ulster championships over a ten year period, three of which led on to the winning of the All Ireland in ’60, ’61 and ’68. They also won three National League titles in that glorious decade of football. A true gael and a Down great.
On the Saturday prior to Christmas the ‘Big Fin Christmas Draw’ was held in Mulhollands Bar. The first prize of one nights B&B at Titanic Hotel in Belfast won by Marie Lenaghan; 2nd prize £120 won by Marty O’Neill; 3rd prize Kevin Bridges tickets won by Rory Walsh; 4th prize Lunch for 2 at EIPIC Belfast, Steven Murray; 5th prize £100 meal voucher SHU Restaurant Belfast, Nadine McCullough; 6th prize Drinks Hamper, Amy McCann; 7th prize Meal for 2 Clayton Hotel Belfast, Peter O’Hare; 8th prize Nike Golf Bag, Ruairi Quinn; 9th prize Afternoon Tea for 2 Burrendale Hotel, C McKinney; 10th prize Winter Warmer (4 bags coal, logs, lighters), Sean Willoughby. There were a further twenty winners drawn who won meal & beauty care vouchers, various alcoholic drinks and an assortment of gifts. The event was a brilliant success for the club and we thank our fundraising committee for all their efforts, to everyone who bought the £2 squares and to Marie Mulholland for hosting the event. Our next fundraiser will be a Quiz Night on Friday 30th March in Mulhollands.
The Down Clubs draw tickets for 2018 are now available to purchase. They can be bought for £120 in one lump sum which enters the ticket holder into an early bird draw for £200. The second option is a £20 deposit and ten monthly direct debits of £10 each. Each ticket sold by the club over and above 24 will see a return of £96 per ticket sale thereafter. Support you club and your county at the same time. Please contact our draw co-ordinator Sheenagh Flanagan if interested.
Club Memberships are due for renewal before 31st March 2018. There will be two registration events held at Aughlisnafin Community Hall to facilitate this. They will be held on Sunday 4th February & Wednesday 7th February. There will be orders taken for our new range of MFC Sports club gear and O’Neills replica club jerseys. New club members are very welcome. All those over the age of 18 who register on the dates stated will receive a complimentary ticket for the GAA National Draw worth £10 for twenty fabulous prizes which include a new car, 2,000 euro travel voucher, All Ireland Senior Football & Hurling Final Tickets etc etc.
Lotto (21/12/2017) numbers were 5,14,15,25. No winners. Jackpot £3,000. You can play the lotto on-line. Go to our club website www.aughlisnafingac.com and click on the klubfunder logo.
The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be on Tuesday 9th January at 8.30 pm in the Annex at the Aughlisnafin Community Hall. There will be a meeting of the Coaching & Games sub-committee at 7.45 pm same evening. All our coaches and those interested in helping out with underage football are invited to attend. Everyone will need to have the necessary child protection and vetting done by Access NI and so it is imperative you attend if you don’t have either and want to help out. Mentors will also be appointed for the various teams.
There will be a meeting for all senior players in the Fin Hall on Wednesday 10th January at 7.30 pm.
We wish all our members, sponsors and supporters a very happy and prosperous New Year in 2018.