Van Morrison famously sang There'll be days like this. Well for all connected to Glasdrumman G.A.C what a day it turned out to be. Weeks of preparation, anticipation, will this be our year to do the double of League and Championship, a lot of what if questions being asked. We last won this Championship in 1997 and for some players in today's squad the opportunity of adding another medal to the collection was there for the taking. The supporters came from far and near, young and old ,proud parents and grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, brothers, sisters and in-laws , all decked out in the maroon, green and blue to see another bit of history being made in Pairc Esler. I will leave the tactical analysis of the game to those more qualified and objective than myself. Like everyone else associated with our club when the final whistle was blown by the referee to confirm that Glasdrumman are this year's county Junior Champions, my heart was beating that bit louder and like some of the rest of the "old gang " there might have been a tear or two shed. Now the men of 2015 can join their illustrious companions of 1997 in the record and history books. Championship finals don't come along too often for a club. Each man on the squad played his part in getting us to the final and weren't found wanting on the day. Captain Art McCartan in his speech after the match thanked all who had worked so hard on behalf of the team from manager Emmett Devlin, selectors Damian and Declan (not Delcan as he called in the match programme) Grant, Terry Joyce, team physio Gemma Rooney, first aider Annette Grant, team statistician Gemma Grant, Club Chairman Gary McGreevy and all the committee. Michael Curran from Ardglass was very generous with his congratulations and kind comments in the dressing room after the game. We wish them well in the years ahead. Our Club sponsors Quinn's the Spirit Grocers were there for us in 1997 and again this year, our sincere thanks to Pat Maginn and his staff for their support and hospitality over the years. It is always gratifying to meet many old friends on a day like this , from seeing Gerry Kelly, the late Great Derek Davies's driver and friend bedecked in Glasdrumman's colours to 93 year old Kathleen McDowell sitting with us at the post match celebrations. To echo Connaire Harrison's answer to the question in the match programme "What's the best thing about the GAA. it's like a family Seeing so many of our current players proudly posing for pictures with their own sons and daughters really brought the point home.
Final score Glasdrumman 2-11 Ardglass 2-7 Glasdrumman : Sean Cunningham (Sub Declan Grant),Francis O'Neill(Sub Daniel McCartan), Chris Cassidy ( Sub Paddy Kelly) Ryan Doran, Colm Carr ( Sub Ryan Clerkin ) Art McCartan ( Capt) Chris McDowell, Shane Harrison, Cathal Rodgers,Niall McGovern(0-1) Raymond Clarke (0-1) (Sub Darren Joyce) Sean McDowell , Raymond Magorrian (0-1) (Sub Shaun Brennan) Cormac Murphy(0-2) Connaire Harrison (2-6) Subs; Paul Grant, Conor McCartan,Mark Trimble, Colum Murphy,Richard McAteer, Shaun McVeigh Gerard McDowell . There will be a few days of celebration then it's back to grindstone to prepare for a Ulster Championship match against the Antrim Champions in Pairc Esler.
Our congratulations to Kilcoo on winning the Senior Championship and thanks for the lovely message left for us in the changing rooms. Our thanks also to all who sent us good luck messages from all clubs far and near and from all parts of the world as far apart as the United Sates and Australia
In the build up to Sundays game St Marys Primary School held a Glasdrumman Colours Day on Friday to encourage the kids to get behind the team. Several of the senior players and management along with the club chairman visited the School to take part in the day and to answer any questions the kids had. The kids were delighted with their unexpected visitors.
The U-10s and U-12s played their part in Sunday's Championship Final by playing half time games against Ardglass and doing a guard of honor as the Glasdrumman senior team came out onto the pitch.
The kids gave a good account of themselves and thoroughly enjoyed being part of the day. They were proud to do guard of honor for the seniors and represented the club well.
The U-11 game had to be postponed on Sunday due to the Glasdrumman U-10s and 12s taking part in the half time games.
There will be no u-11 training tonight (Wednesday). The next game is a home fixture against Annaclone on Sunday morning at 11am. Kids to be at the Quarter Road Pitch at 10.20am.
On Friday night the older youth club kids went to Kilkeel Swimming Pool. Great fun was had by all. A massive thank you to Sinead for driving the bus and for helping to supervise and to our new young volunteer Sarah Stevenson who was a natural with the kids and a huge help to the leaders.
This Friday night the younger kids have their session from 6.30pm until 8pm.
Scor practice in the clubrooms this Friday at 7.00 pm. Good luck to Peter, Cara, Niamh, Tara,Ciara Clodagh and Aoife who will be representing us in instrumental music, ballad group , solo singing and recitation. Instrumental and Solo singing will be competing this Saturday in Glasdrumman AO.H and ballad group[ and recitation on Sunday in Hilltown . Please come out and support our young talent.
First and Last Goal Competition ; Junior First : 25th Minute last 63rd min Senior First 18th Minute and last Goal 45th minute. Winning ticket Please contact Colette on 07753863359
