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 | DOWN FANS OPEN NIGHT (02/09/10) |
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Down supporters can go along to Newry on Monday night to meet the stars, get a few autographs and be involved in the buzz of the build up to Sunday 19th September. |
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| MESSAGE FROM COUNTY BOARD (01/09/10) |
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1 September 2010
A Chara
We are all delighted that Down have qualified to play Cork in the All-Ireland Senior Football Final at Croke Park on Sunday 19 September 2010.
The Down GAA County Board greatly appreciates the support it has received from the clubs of Down and indeed the entire GAA family.
You will appreciate that Down’s participation in the All Ireland Final was only secured on Sunday last and I am communicating to you on behalf of the County Board, at the earliest possible opportunity to outline planning arrangements which have been put in place for Down’s participation in the All Ireland Senior Football Final at Croke Park on Sunday 19 September 2010.
Down’s allocation for All Ireland tickets has almost been finalized and following the Down County Board meeting on tomorrow, Thursday, outline guidelines will be agreed upon with respect to distribution of tickets and these will be communicated to the clubs within the next few days.
On Monday night, 6 September 2010, there will be an Open Night for supporters in Pairc Esler at 7pm. This is an evening which will allow fans to mingle with players and get autographs etc. We urge you to encourage your juvenile members to avail of this opportunity to meet their heroes.
For your information a press afternoon is also being organized for the media on Wednesday 8 September 2010.
We have already received very positive feedback about the very imaginative and innovative decorative bunting and flags etc. up throughout the County and we will continue to urge clubs and schools to promote the County colours of red and black ahead of the 19th September.
As you will appreciate, much finance is required in preparing the Down team for the All-Ireland Final. The County Board is conscious that in the current environment there are significant finance resource pressures on clubs and indeed the local business community. For this reason after much deliberation the Senior Executive Officers of the County Board in conjunction with the Core Finance Team under the Chairmanship of Feargal McCormack have decided given the short period of time between Down qualifying for the All Ireland Final and the game itself on Sunday 19 September 2010 that official Down GAA fundraising should be channeled through three core income streams, as detailed below:
(1) Patrons exercising an option from the Down County Board to purchase tickets for the All Ireland Final will be requested to make a contribution to the Down Training Fund via exercising their option to pay for tickets priced in Euro in the equivalent Sterling figure, for example if a match ticket was €70 then the ticket would be offered at £70 and along with the ticket offered, the person exercising that option to pay for the ticket in Sterling, would be entered into a “5 Sams’ Draw” for five £1,000 prizes.
(2) Down GAA Golf Classic which will be held at Spa Golf Club on Sunday 12 September 2010 and which will be organized by a Down GAA Core Finance Team All Ireland Final Focus Group comprising representatives of the Down County Board, Down Training Fund, Club Down, the Down Supporters Club and Friends of Down. For further details contact James McGrath, tel: 07717203269.
(3) A Dine with Down Stars at a Pre-match Breakfast Forum on Wednesday 15 September at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry organized by same group as above. A price of £40 per place or £400 per table will be offered for those wishing to attend the Breakfast event. For further details contact Feargal McCormack: 028 302 61010.
The rationale for choosing the above three core fundraising income streams, was that it was believed that it would avoid placing any emphasis on clubs in terms of levy or alternatively asking clubs to sell tickets etc. to help raise funds for the County Training Fund but rather would allow clubs to continue to concentrate on their own activities. Furthermore the burden of fundraising is being shared by many, and we will ask clubs to become champions for these initiatives.
Naturally the County Board would welcome any donations to the Down Training Fund that clubs or indeed any individual would wish to make.
Note, official Down GAA County Board receipts will be issued in respect of all contributions received.
You should also be aware that the County Board has entered into Royalty / Licence agreements with providers of official GAA merchandise and also O’Neill’s replica jerseys.
Post the All Ireland Final there will be a Banquet on Sunday evening 19 September 2010 at the City West Hotel in Dublin. The City West was chosen in order to facilitate as large as attendance as possible at the banquet and meet national media requirements. With this in mind banquet tickets have also been priced at £60 per head. An order form for banquet tickets will shortly be available to be downloaded from the Down GAA website and will also be forwarded to club secretaries in due course. Martina Casement at the County office: 028 4377 0880 will be co-ordinating the tickets for the post match banquet.
Plans are already at an advanced stage for the home coming of the team and these will be communicated in due course and appropriate health & safety procedures will be put in place, which will involve co-operation with a number of clubs. A working party under the leadership of Dan McCartan, Saval is co-ordinating the home coming.
In conclusion, on behalf of the County Board I would once again like to thank all the clubs for the warmth of their support in respect of the Down campaign, and to assure you, that we in Down GAA are in this all together. It is our intention to ensure that no stone is left unturned in terms of assisting the Management and players make history on 19 September 2010.
An Dun Abu
Is Mise Le Meas
Seán Óg McAteer
Runai
Chontae An Dúin |
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| ALL-IRELAND FINAL (31/08/10) |
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After Down's enthralling win on Sunday the countdown is now on until the big day on Sunday 19th September.
Fully paid up club members requiring tickets should contact Mary Clarke by 9pm on Sunday 5th September, no orders will be taken after this date. |
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| COME ON DOWN !!! (26/08/10) |
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All roads lead to Dublin this Sunday as Down take on Kildare for a place in the All-Ireland Final, where the winners will meet Cork.
There will be a big support from Kilclief in the sell out crowd, with young and old praying for a win for the Red and Black.
Good luck to the panel, James McCartan and his management team.
An Dun Abu ! |
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| U-12 FOOTBALL (23/08/10) |
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The Club will host an U-12 Football Blitz on Saturday 28th August at 10.30am.
Players should meet in The Park at 10.15am. All support from parents and friends is welcome.
The Clubs attending are;
Kilclief
Castlewellan
Aughlisnafin
Saul
St Pauls |
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| RESERVE FOOTBALL (22/08/10) |
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The Reserve game on Sunday evening at home to Saul has been postponed and will be re-fixtured for a later date. |
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| TICKET NEWS (20/08/10) |
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All-Ireland Semi-Final Tickets ordered through the club can now be collected by contacting Mary Clarke directly or on Wednesday and Thursday night from 7-8pm in The Clubrooms.
Please note tickets can not be handed out until full payment has been made - NO EXCEPTIONS. |
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| U-16 FOOTBALL (18/08/10) |
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The U-16 Boys take on Loughinisland on Thursday night in Newcastle at 7pm in their re-arranged East Down Semi-Final.
Good luck lads. |
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| CHAMPIONS !!! (18/08/10) |
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The U-14 Hurlers won the Shield Competition last Saturday evening in Castlewellan after a hard fought win over a strong Mourne outfit.
The lads gave magnificant second half exhibition of skill and determination to overcome their more physical opponents.
Congratulations to the whole panel and their coaches Brendan, Sean Paul and Pat. |
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| U-16 MATCH OFF (13/08/10) |
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The U-16 Football Semi-Final on Saturday has been postponed until Thursday 19th August. Watch press and website for time and venue. |
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