The firsts hosted Westport in a game that was vital as regards the league. However, despite a spirited display, they had to give second best to the bulls. Paul Coady and Darren Classen scored the tries with Diarmuid Byrne kicking the points. This defeat is a crushing blow to our league hopes and while we are not out of the league just yet, our fate is not in our hands now and we must win all our games while waiting for other teams to slip up.

Castlebar: P Coady, M Power, D Claasen, D Byrne, S O Malley, R Cusack, C Cusack, A Gavin, P Durcan, K Cox, A Goor, S Devaney, T Kirby, G Prendegast, M Campbell.

Replacements: E Murphy, M Connolly

Training continues on Wednesday evenings and all players travelling are asked to be at the courthouse at half six. New players are always welcome as the team continue their preparations. Contact Nicola for more details.

Training continues on Tuesday and Friday for the under 18 team at 7pm. There are some big games ahead of this talented team so all players are asked to attend and be on time! Training continues for the under 16 and 14 teams on Wednesday with the bus leaving the Courthouse at 6.30.

The draws for the underage cup competitions was made on Tuesday evening last. Castlebar are entered in the under 14 cup, the under 16 cup and the under 18 cup. The under 14 team have been drawn to play Ballina, the under 16 team will play Athlone and the under 18 team will play Gort. The best of luck to all teams.

We have a big weekend this weekend for everybody except the under 11 teams who have a weekend off with two Connacht blitzes this weekend for the under 10 and under 12 teams. The under 10 blitz takes place in Ballina and Castlebar will be sending two teams. So everybody who trains with the under 9 and under 10 teams training under John Hannigan, Keith Finan and Steve Allen are asked to be at the courthouse at 9.40. Last year at the blitz it was a very wet day so all players are asked to bring a change of warm clothes and all players must wear a gum shield. The under 12 team are travelling to Corinthians in Galway and all players are asked to be at the courthouse at 11am. The following squad members are asked to attend:

Paul Rowland, Gary Ralph, Alan Gavin, Paul Sweeney, Matthew Staunton, Richard McGreal, Mark Durcan, Aidan Gleeson, Oisin O'Malley, Conor O'Shea, Matthew Rogan, Shane Maloney, Nicolas Quinn and any other under 12 player who was not at training last Saturday are requested to attend.

The under 7 and under 8 teams are going to Galway next weekend where we have bee invited to play Galwegians. The bus is leaving at 9am sharp from the courthouse. Parents are asked to note that the teams should be back by lunchtime. All players who train with Paul O'Reilly, Mick Tobin and Mick Hastings are asked to attend.

The under 11 team have a welcome weekend off from training this weekend.

Parents: it is important that all players know when the games are on and at what time. All forthcoming notes will appear in the local papers. Should it happen that a game or blitz is postponed it will be announced through the local media with announcements on Mid West Radio and CRC.