Aghagallon - St Marys
The year 2008 has produced a mixed year for the club on the field. Whilst all teams played well in their respective leagues unfortunately no silverware was gained but underage football in particular is all about learning in a fun way and this was certainly achieved and all participants would certainly agree with this. The application and determination of all players right through the age groups was evident.The Camogie club probably produced the highlight of the sporting achievements this year winning Senior and U-16 Leagues in Armagh at the first time of asking.
Underage Football
St Marys provides sports activities for all age groups from U-8 upwards. The U-8 section remains very strong and upward of 25 children enjoy a range of play and sports activities and are well supported by the parents.
The U-10 team play in the Go Games league in Nth Armagh and we have two nine aside teams every week. Once again the children show their enthusiasm and developing skills in a very positive way. With some great games against the likes of Eire Og and Clan na Gael. The team gave nothing less than 100 per cent. The U-10 team entered a number of tournaments and reached two semi finals, beaten by one point in both games at Tullylish and St Peters.
The U-12 team had a great season which saw them finish in forth place in their league, with some great home wins over Cargin and Glenavy. St Marys entered the Glenavy Tournament and won out easily in the Shield final against Saul, of Down. This team played some great football all year and showed great skill and application.
At U-14 level the team acquitted themselves well with some great individual displays. With good displays over Ballycastle and Rasharkin. In the shield semi finals St Marys lost out by a last gasp goal in a thrilling game at the Colane to Sean Stinsons.
The U-16 team once again had a very encouraging season getting of to a great start in the league winning their first four games. However they missed a few players and faltered in some close games and missed out on a top four place. The St Marys minors had a reasonably steady season and had some good wins towards the end of the season and went out to Creggan in the semi final of the Laverty Cup.
Senior Football
The senior reserve team played in the Nth Armagh league and had a reasonably successful year. All fixtures were fulfilled and there were good wins over Tir na N'og and Wolfe Tones.
The St Marys senior team under new management this year with Neill Mc Stravick at the helm had a steady year with a number of highs and lows. The team is holding its own in this league but inconsistency has been costly. In the Intermediate championship St Marys were up against a fancied Moneyglass team at Glenavy. At Half time the teams were separated by a single point but could not build on this in the second half, and Moneyglass went on to win comfortably. The Senior team did well to win the Pat Mc Mahon Shield this year.
Camogie Club
Senior Camogie Team
U16 Camogie Team
Off The Field Activities
The Club continues to celebrate the Centenary of Gaelic games in Achadh Gallain and many stories continue to be told of The Dalcassians, the Shamrocks, the John Mitchells and St Patricks from yesteryear. The celebrations were well and truly marked when the club was honoured by an invite to the Craigavon civic centre for a civic reception hosted by Council Chair Sidney Anderson and our own Dolores Kelly. This was a great night and all the sporting activities of the past were represented in an audience of over eighty people.
The celebrations will continue in November when the Centenary Formal Dinner will be held and this will surely be a special night for the gaels of Achadh Gallain. There are a number of activities which continue to be planned for 2009.
The now well established Cul Camp week continues to go from strength to strength and this year we had seventy children attend at the Colane playing fields in the second week of July. Lead coach for the highly successful fun event was Joe Mc Mahon from Tyrone and he was supported by C. Walsh and his team of coaches. The Camoges also held a training camp in August when fifty girls under sixteen attended.
Both the U-16 camoges and footballers took part in a sponsored walk and run respectively, for charity and managed to raise substantial funds for their nominated charities. The U-12s and U-14 squads went to see the double header at Croke Park in the Senior All Ireland Semi Finals and a great day's football was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
The hard working Committee at St Marys, headed up by Ivan Lavery, continues to explore ways of improving playing and coaching standards at the club and at improving activities and facilities for its members, young and old alike. St Marys continues to hold its own in the local community and plays a significant role in community development and in the personal development of its young people. May this continue for another hundred years.