< Previous© June 2019 The Meath Coaster 50 Castlehill Riding Club T he members of Castlehill RC have been out in their droves recently sup- porting AIRC shows run in the North East region. May began with the Ashbrook Derby Day at Killossery Lodge Stud, where members competed in Dressage, Working Hunter and jumped a challeng- ing Derby track. In dressage, Lindsey Ilona Brady and Trigger Joe placed 2 nd and 5 th in the Advanced Inter classes, while Olivia Nolan and Abi placed 4 th in the Advanced Primary. Anita McNamara and her lovely Connemara pony, Sand Dunes Heather, made their AIRC debut riding a lovely test, but were unfortunate not to be placed. In the Working Hunter AP class, Elaine Mulligan and Pheobe placed 2 nd , Rose Hanratty and Starlight placed 4 th , with Ciara McKeown and Bailey placing 6 th . In the Derby, Paul Murray and Henry placed 2 nd in the AP class, with Genia De- Souza and Danni close behind in 4 th . Well done all! Next up was the highlight of the 2019 calendar, our own Working Hunter and Dressage Show held at Castlehill EC in Julianstown. A HUGE amount of effort was put into the organising and running of this show, so thanks to all our members that rallied together to make the whole day a tremendous success. We had over 100 entries into the two disciplines, with many placings for the Castlehill RC mem- bers. Ciara McKeown had a very success- ful day, placing 1 st in the intro Class, and 1 st in the AP Working Hunter class. They then went on to win the Champion P/AP title. Elaine Mulligan and Pheobe were close on Ciara’s heels, placing 2 nd in the AP class, and then went on to take the reserve Champion P/AP title. Olivia No- lan and Abi were 4 th in the AP class, with Rose Hanratty and Starlight placed 5 th . Marie Moore and Danny were 3 rd in the intro class while Sarah Malone and Jinx placed 3 rd in the Primary Working Hunter. Caitriona Kavanagh and Bouncer were 4 th in the Intermediate class, with Niamh Murphy and Hope close behind in 6 th . Julia Castlehill RC supporters P/AP WH Reserve Champion (left) Elaine Mulligan with Declan Gaffney (middle) and Champion Ciara McKeown (right) Ellen McGuinness and Royal Mastermind© June 2019 The Meath Coaster 51 Spagnoletti and Bouncer placed 2ndin the Open Working Hunter also. In dressage, in the Primary class, new members Klara and Marie Ralph placed 2 nd and 4 th in their first riding club show, while Debbie Kirby and her ex-racehorse Badger or Bust per- formed brilliantly, but were unlucky to be out of the placings. In the AP class, Olivia Nolan and Abi placed 3 rd , while new mem- ber Jossa Hunt Tyrell placed 5 th . Anita Mc- Namara was 6 th in the Sportsmans A, while in the Advanced Intermediate class, club chair Lindsey Ilona Brady and Trigger Joe were 2 nd , with Kate Hutchenson and Dol- men De Klerk in 3 rd , and Lynne Broderick and Beechmount Pete in 4 th . Congratula- tions to all our members who represented themselves and the club so well. Thanks also to our course designer David Smyth who built a fantastic track, and our dres- sage judges Damien McCormick and Jane Whitaker. Sponsorship was provided by Declan Gaffney from the Horse Mad Store in Swords, and we are very grateful for his continued support. The weather was glori- ous and a brilliant day was had by all. Lastly, the Horseware NER RDS Team SJ Qualifiers were held recently in Ravens- dale Lodge EC, Dundalk. Representing the club were Niamh Murphy and Rail- ings Hopeful Scope, Caitriona Kavanagh and Bouncer, Ellen McGuinness and Roy- al Mastermind, and team Captain Shona Lynch riding Ferdi Whitmore. The girls worked very hard training for this com- petition, and were the only club to have 4 clear rounds in the first round of the competition. An unlucky pole down in the second round meant they didn’t qualify for the jump-off, but they performed bril- liantly, and the entire club are proud of their performances. Well done girls! For more information, please “like” our page on FB or contact Olivia on 086 – 3831802. Castlehill RC RDS Qualifier Team Shona Lynch and Ferdi Whitmore Niamh Murphy and Hope© June 2019 The Meath Coaster 52 4 5 members celebrated the 5 th anniver- sary of the club by taking to streets of Drogheda to participate in the Yapstone 10k. First home for the club was Mairead Murphy who finished in 45.21 earning her a second in category victory. Lynsey Ry- der ran her first race in club colours secur- ing a pb of 51.01, Donal Harrington made a spectacular return for injury in 51:16 and Caroline Conroy yet again proved that age is only a number finishing with a lifetime pb of 51:50. Extra kudos goes to the brave new members who stepped up to the 10k distance for the first time, Jennifer Bar- ret, Darren Corcoran, Clare Moore, Da- vid Hanna, Michele Dunne, Suzanne O Malley, Bronagh Dixon, Barbara Clynch, Catherine Keville and Janet Long. Tim Donnelly and Graham Devitt made their debut in the Belfast Marathon on the same day finishing in great times despite the complimentary 800m add on! Later that day a Cilles mob descended on Moran’s in Mornington to dance the night away to the beats of DJ Niall Bennett. The Meath Championships continued with great performances from the Cilles Juvenile Section. Alex Harrington (U16) and Aaron Smith (U18) both ran a superb 1500m securing silver medals in their re- spective age categories. Alex also claimed silver in the 800m’s with a bronze for Aaron (U18 800m) Holly Brennan took the Meath Champi- onship U18 1500m title, whilst also win- ning a silver medal for the 400m distance. Shannon Cleary delightfully added to Cilles medal collection with a bronze in the U14s Shot put. 14 Cilles teams took part in the Cham- pionship Relays. The U-13 boys Cian Gibbons, Shane Reilly, Sean Hyland and Fionn Lannon put in a strong team per- formance earning them the silver medal. Sean Ffrench, Robbie Watson, Ciaran Smith and James Smith competed strongly in the Men’s Medley resulting in bronze. The ladies Medley team of Haruka To- nooka, Evelyn Mullen, Ellie Hanley Rice and Siofra Murphy took the silver with an incredible performance. All teams per- formed well on the night showcasing an incredible Cilles AC team spirit – as you can see in the pictures! § Cilles Athletic Club www.cillesac.ie www.facebook.com/CillesAC© June 2019 The Meath Coaster 53 East Meath First Responders Golf Classic 5 th July W e are holding a charity golf classic event on 5 th July 2019 in Bettystown & Laytown golf club. All donations will aid the continuing voluntary emergency service and maintaince of the Public Access Defibrillators in Bettystown and surround- ing areas. © June 2019 The Meath Coaster 54 East Meath United www.instagram.com/eastmeathunited www.twitter.com/EastMeathUnitedwww.facebook.com/eastmeathunitedfc Continuous Development at East Meath United O ur Chairwoman Sharon Tolan was delighted to welcome DAR Golf Construction Ltd to Ministown on 21 st May, along with our Project Manager Richard Hayden of Hayden Turfcare. DAR were awarded the contract to com- plete Phase 2 of our Club Development Plan, following a competitive tender pro- cess. These extensive pitch drainage works will be the envy of the North East when com- pleted and we are all very excited to see the final result. These works were only made possible by our successful Sports Capital Grant ap- plication where we secured €45,000. The total cost of the Work is €80,000, the Club through fundraising and re-financing has committed to financing the remainder of monies due. Of course, we are all busy in the back- ground planning the next phase, club- house/toilet & changing facilities. If you have any expertise in this area, and would like to get involved please con- tact a member of the committee, and of course, please support all of our fundrais- ing efforts, as without this we would not be able to match fund any of our develop- ment projects. East Meath Utd Wolves 12 Premier sea- son to date - by Martin Curley (Coach) The fact that EMW Wolves 12 Premier are currently top of the league with two games to go is a great achievement for all involved given where they have come from. The team was formed at the begin- ning of last season from D, C, & B players into the under 11A squad. It was a baptism of fire with some difficult learning days across the first few months of the season. At times, we questioned if we and the kids could last the distance. However, a steely determination by the head coach Martin, kept repeating – the experience will stand to them, keep going! So, roll on the 2019 season, and we began with some hard-fought wins against tough opposition. It was in these early games, you could see where these kids had grown mentally, tactically and emotionally. © June 2019 The Meath Coaster 55 This mentality was underscored by the ethos that it was about the whole team and not one or two players. They always help each other on the pitch with encourage- ment & work rate and enthusiasm for their team mates both in training & matches. The boys have learned how to take a draw, a lost or a win practically in the same manor. I f they have given 100% on the day and lose then they must be proud of what they done and enjoy the outcome of the game regardless of the result. Club Ethos Across the 4 teams at U 12, there has been promotion from within the Clubs teams and some players outside has been led to a great achievement through all the 2007s teams last year and this year with all the teams doing well in their first competitive league season. The clubs vision to keep and grow the age groups to four under 11’s teams last sea- son has helped the progression of all four u12 teams this season. This season has again seen new play- ers joining and still spaces within all the teams to grow again in September for the new winter season. Learning The boys have learned how to take a draw, a lost or a win practically in the same manor. If they have given 100% on the day and lose then they must be proud of what they done and enjoy the outcome of the game regardless of the result.© June 2019 The Meath Coaster 56 The learning for us as coaches has been how powerful a positive coaches voice can be, how we communicate better, learn about all the boys individually and help them become the best version of them- selves. This leads to better football, better enjoy- ment of the game and growth of young players to stay in football. We have had quite a few new players come in and we are constantly asking new player up to train with us and experience what the en- vironment is like. This has worked very well with the kids bringing friends or school pals to come and train and get a taster of what it’s like. The Wolves team are so proud to wear the EMU badge and honor its value’s. We also are very lucky to have a very support- ive yet parent group. We are very grateful that our New Jersey were sponsored by our Chairwoman Councilor Sharon Tolan who is heavily involved in the club and the community at EMU. The coaches Martin, Derek, Pauidi, Josh- ua feel blessed to have a great bunch of kids who have been a brilliant this short season. We all have had a laugh after a session or a game or during and this is a great reminder of what it’s about - kid’s football. We look forward to the last games of the season and new season in September. We hope to add and encourage new players to join our teams & parents to contact us, meet the coaches to talk about coming and joining an ever growing and improving club at East Meath Utd. § National Sand Castle Competition© June 2019 The Meath Coaster 57 17thAnnual 2019 Sandcastle & Sculpture Contest Rules Sunday 30 th June This is a chance for families, schools, businesses, neighbours to have fun and use their imagination to build Sandcastles and Sculptures. No experience necessary and all are welcome. Entry Fee: Sandcastle €2.00 per person. ………………… Registration 2.30pm Entry Fee: Senior Sculpture €5.00 per person …………… Registration 10.30am Entry Fee: Junior Sculpture €3.00 per person…… ……. Registration 10.30am to 2.30pm Official Rules 1) Sandcastle & Sculptures must consist of sand, driftwood, shells and seaweed rocks and stones found on the beach on the day of the contest only. 2) No permanent forms shall be included in your structure. 3) The use of shovels, hoes, spatulas and spades etc. are permitted. 4) Sand forms, buckets etc can be used but only as forms. 5) The castle or Sculpture must be confined within the allotted space. 6) Underage participants can be instructed but not aides as it is unfair to the other children. You can carve the title of your piece in the sand before Judging. Stones in front of the wall behind the sandcastle competition area are not permitted to be used as they are for, the defence against costal erosion. Judging Criteria: 1) Originality/creativity 2) Attention to detail 3) Artistic impression Building Schedule: Judging will start touring at 3.00pm Judging finishes at 4.00Pm Awards/prizes 4.30pm Ends 5.00PM Prizes Presented By Heather Humphreys Senior Sculpture Junior Sculpture Sandcastle all categories 1 st €500 1 st €50 Under 5 years 2 nd €250 2 nd €30 Under 8 years 3 rd €100 3 rd €20 Under 13 years Family The Festival organisers wish to thank all last year’s sponsors, Roger & Lz Pickett- The Cottages Laytown for sponsoring the top prize, Riverside Home & Gifts. The Flower Yard Mornington, Sunflower Café, Tresses & Talons, Harrys Centra Mornington, The Cottage Inn Laytown, Pats Centra Bettystown, Boyne Valley Foods Drogheda, Smithy Ice Cream. Macari’s. MECCA and FLAG Fisheries Local Action Group. Meath County Council. Cllr Tom Kelly, Cllr Sharon Tolan. © June 2019 The Meath Coaster 58 Laytown United SFC www.laytownunitedsfc.com / www.facebook.com/LaytownUnitedSFC On the 3 rd of May our U13’s and 14’s head- ed off to the UK to team up once again, with LLS Your Tour, for 3 full days of jam packed football related activities. From the time they left here early on Friday morn- ing until they got back late on Sunday night, every single minute was accounted for. The guys from LLS looked after them impeccably and the trip was nothing short of 5 star. They got to go on the Old Traf- ford Stadium Tour, visit the National Foot- ball Museum, have a walk around Anfield and Goodison Park, they played matches against local teams, had several training sessions with top Academy coaches from Liverpool FC and Everton FC and they © June 2019 The Meath Coaster 59 even got to attend the Huddersfield Town AFC V Manchester United match. There was not one crossed word between any of them and the behaviour of each and every player was remarkable, they were a credit to themselves and to the club. A trip like this does not just happen with- out a huge amount of background work and a very special Thank you must go to Lorraine McGillivary, who worked tire- lessly behind the scenes to ensure that everything ran smoothly. A big shout out also to the coaches who accompanied the lads Dave, Simon, Trevor, Cormac, Col- in and Owen and parents Alan, Paul and Simon. Lots of precious memories were made. A big Thank you to Arthur Maza from AM Supplies for very generously sponsoring a Tracksuit and playing kit for Jimmy and John’s u11s. Our Annual Family Fun day and the Laytown Lassie’s end of season Presenta- tion will take place on 15 th June in Seafield from 2-5pm, we will have Bouncy Cas- tles, Inflatable Penalty Shootout, 5-a-side Tournament, games, and lots more. BBQ and refreshments will be on sale, there will be lots of fun for all the family and EVERYONE is invited. Next >