Rasharkin announce development plans

St Mary’s GAC Rasharkin have announced long-awaited plans to develop their facilities at Dreen.

The £300,000 development will see a floodlit 4G pitch, measuring 30m x 60m, constructed between the two existing pitches.

Running along the end of the pitch will be ball wall , measuring 4.8m in height and stretching for 30m, while the existing walking track is to be extended around the 4G facility.

Phase 2 of the project will see the club’s existing hall, which has been in place since 1980, replaced with a gym and indoor hall to facilitate club activities.

Rasharkin’s main pitch was opened in 1983, along with the new changing rooms and toilet facilities, and the club opened a second pitch, the Jamesie McLernon Memorial Pitch, in August 2000.

A club spokesperson said the work would help accelerate the club’s development.

“Our club are a club committed to growing and developing our members and the community,” they said.

“We have exciting plans for development of our grounds which will benefit the community and strengthen our club.

“The 4G pitch will be an exciting addition to our current facilities and will enable activities in all weathers and increase our training capability.

“We believe Phase Two will be a significant benefit to all our club members and the community to improve physical and mental health and to have a space to hold social events.

“This is an opportunity to provide first class facilities for the future generation of the club.”

Robert Laverty R.I.P

Cushendun Emmet’s have just shared this tribute to Robert

Everyone associated with Robert Emmets are saddened to learn of the passing of Robert this morning, father of former players, Robert Paul, Brendan and Gerald. A Banker by trade, Robert was to use his financial talents as club treasurer for many years. He steered the club through many lean times and kept an eagle eye on the finances and ensured that we were always in a position to develop and improve the fantastic facilities that we all enjoy today. He was a great supporter of our teams down through the years and had a particular interest in the St Patrick’s team that won Minor Championship in 1990. Some players preferred travelling with Robert because he always had a nice new car and you were sure of getting to the venue in good time for a long warm up! He was instrumental in setting up the weekly lotto which continues to provide much needed revenue for the club. Way back in the days when we were allowed to go to pubs on a Saturday night, Robert was a very efficient lotto ticket seller in The Blue Room. There was no choice about buying one….if you were having a drink …you were getting a lotto ticket! He was a integral part of the legendary weekly quiz held in Randal’s and will be sadly missed by the weekly quizzers. He would tolerate no heckling or questioning of the answers and you could be sure of a well placed ‘put down’ if you dared to argue with himself or his fellow organiser Pearl.

Robert will not be remembered as a legendary hurler who scored a winning point in a Championship final, (although he did claim to be a stalwart for Co. Leitrim!). He will be one of the unsung heroes. One of the people behind the scenes who kept the show on the road and these men and women should never be forgotten because without them, there is no club.

We send our condolences to the entire family circle at this time

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam

O’Donnell’s new management team

Many thanks to Liam Morrison the PRO for Cardinal O’Donnells GAC Belfast, for sending us the details of the new management team for 2021.

Manager Joe Herald

Joe came in last year to see the remainder of the season out with the Senior team, he has agreed to take the role on full time along with his management team, this is his first role in senior management with all his experience coming from coaching juveniles at club, school and community level, we look forward to an exciting year for our young panel of players. We would like to wish Joe, his management team and players all the best for the coming year.

Coach John Lavery

John has many years playing experience from juvenile to senior which included leading the club to a number of promotions and Junior championships, John brings a huge amount of experience to the team and the club are delighted to have him onboard for the coming season.

Coach James Braniff

James has been leading the line for O’Donnells for many years with kicking the winning points in our back to back Junior championship wins, James’s will be a massive asset for our senior team for 2021.

Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Rainey

Mark has many years of experience working with field sport athletes, from soccer, to gaa even lacrosse athletes Working extensively with many local combat athletes and has committed to working with O’Donnells exclusively in the year 2021

Selector – Mick Mc Allister

Mick comes from the local community with many years of experience in Youth work, his experience in coaching is at juvenile level, he will provide support to the senior team for 2021.

Have you selected your management team for 2021?

Has your club selected their management teams for 2021? If so why not get in touch and let us know who will be holding the management reins for the coming season. Send your management selection to john.mcilwaine @ yahoo.co.uk or ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk

Rasharkin round off 2005 with minor shield win

After their championship run ended in defeat to Gort na Móna at Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh, Rasharkin minors rounded off their 2005 season by lifting the South West Antrim shield.

Having narrowly missed out on the coveted top four positions in the league, St Mary’s lifted the shield with victory over Kickham’s Creggan at a foggy Ahoghill late in the year.

In what was a tight encounter, a second-half Caolan Maria goal proved the decisive score as Rasharkin claimed victory on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-9.

St Mary’s: Aidan Cassley, Thomas McMullan, Martin Crawford, Jarlath McAleese, Liam Tunney, Fearghal McMullan, Pearse O’Kane, Dean McLaughlin, Brendan Hasson, Caolan Maria (1-0), Daniel O’Mullan (0-1), Sean Hasson (0-1), Aidan Darragh, Jason Crawford (0-3), Joey Quinn (0-3).

Sub: Kevin Agnew.