Last week the club completed the publication of a new 4 page quarterly newsletter for all club members and supporters of gaelic football in Castlebar. The publication was produced by Club PRO Finian Joyce and was launched by Willie 'The Shoe' McNeely at our quarterly club meeting. A copy of the newsletter will be circulated free of charge to 4,500 houses in Castlebar town during the coming week. Copies of the newsletter are also available in our clubhouse at An Sportlann.

The Connacht Under 21 football final between Mayo and Sligo will be played in McHale Park on Good Friday 13^th April. Throw in is at 6 p.m. All club stewards are asked to report to An Sportlann no later than 5 p.m.

The first quarterly of the club was held in the Welcome Inn Hotel last Friday evening. A small crowd turned out to review recent developments and to be briefed on forthcoming events. Hopefully we will see a bigger attendance at the next quarterly meeting.

Team: Ciaran Naughton, John Fahey, Timmy Byrne, Brian McLoughlin, Brian Hennelly, Mark Fahy, Brian Malone, Shane Fitzmaurice, Kevin Malone, John Haverty, Ronan Ruane, Ian Walsh, Dwayne Flynn, Keith Gillick, Kevin Filan.

Subs: Paul Fitzmaurice for Ian Walsh, Ronan Steed for Keith Gillick, Declan Shaw for Timmy Byrne, Farnan Harte for Mark Fahey, Brian Regan for Ronan Ruane, James McGovern, Richie Feeney, Eoin Keane, Cormac Golden, Liam Raftery.

Scorers: John Haverty (0-3), Kevin Filan (0-1).

The minors won their opening league game against Moy Davitts played in McHale Park last week. Castlebar led at half time by 1-7 to 0-2 and ran out easy winners in the end.

Team: Alan Reilly, Joseph Malone, Sean Mitchell, David Walsh, Ronan Burke, Rory O'Grady, David Gordon, Cormac Marrinan, Richie Feeney, Barry O'Connor, Michael Rocke, John G. Stenson, Declan Reilly, Niall Lydon, James O'Hara.

Subs: Alan Feeney for David Walsh, Eamon Tiernan for Cormac Marrinan, Richard Byrne for Alan Reilly, James Killeen for Barry O'Connor, Keith Joyce for James O'Hara.

Scorers: Michael Rocke (1-2), Barry O'Connor and Declan Reilly (1-1 each), Keith Joyce (1-0), Niall Lydon (0-3), John G. Stenson and Richie Feeney (0-2)

The seniors have no senior league game next weekend.

The juniors have no league game next weekend.

Monday 9^th April Away to Claremorris

Thursday 12^th April Home to Kiltane

Senior football: Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 p.m.

Junior football: Tuesday and Friday at 7.30 p.m.

Club membership is now due. Closing date for membership is April 30^th.

Contact John Brennan @ 22966 or James Rocke @ 25019.

Thanks to everybody who has bought a ticket for the draw. There has been a tremendous response by club members. The total prize fund is £75,000 plus a car. The first draw takes place on April 25^th. If you still want to buy a ticket contact one of the following: James Rocke (25019), Michael Diskin (24887), Mick Byrne (21561), John Brennan (22966), Philip Heneghan (21086), Tony Stakelum (26506).

In response to the huge demand for ladies football in Castlebar, two meetings were held during the last week in the Welcome Inn Hotel. As a result a Ladies football subcommittee was formed with the following officers:

Chairperson: Aisling Hackett 086 2370717

Secretary: Ann Sweeney 086 8488969

Treasurer: Kay Harrington 23747

P.R.O.: Catherine Diskin 24887

Plans have been drawn up to field teams at Under 12, Under 16 and at Junior level in the various competitions. As a follow on from the meetings, members of the committee visited the local schools to gauge the level of interest at underage level and were overwhelmed by the response. At present the ladies committee are working hard to encourage people to get involved to train and/or help out with the various age groups. If you as a player (past or present) or a parent would like to help out, then contact any of the committee members above. Training for the various age groups will commence in the next week or two. So watch this column for further details of training times.

Ladies football will not become a reality unless there are a number of people prepared to get involved with each team. It up to you!

Castlebar were defeated by Tooreen in Aughamore in the first round of the Genfitt Cup played on Saturday last.

Team: Mark Deely, John Kennedy, Martin Clarke, J.J. Ormsby, Paddy McHale, Kevin O'Connor, Michael Cryan, Eoin Shaughnessy, Ronan Steede, Michael Boland, Tom Byrne, Ger Whyte, Martin Greaney, Pat Ryan, John Lavelle. Subs used John Fahey, Kieran Murphy.

Scorers: John Lavelle (1-1), Kevin O'Connor and Ger Whyte (0-1) each.

Senior: Monday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. in McHale Park.

Under 14: Wednesday 7 p.m. and Sunday morning at 12 noon.

Under 12: Saturday 1 p.m. at the all weather pitch in Celtic.

The annual flag day for Bord na Nog will be taking place around the town next Saturday April 14^th. Members of Bord na nOg are asked to make themselves available on the day for a few hours. Any parents who are willing to help out should contact Brendan O'Hara at 23485. Your support would be appreciated.

The matches scheduled for last week were cancelled due to the poor weather.

Instead the under 14 team played a challenge match against Ballintubber in atrocious weather conditions and lost on a scoreline of 3-4 to 0-2.

Under 16 training Tuesday and Thursday 6.30 p.m., Sunday 11a.m.

Under 12 training Saturday at 11 a.m.

Next week training continues indoors on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in De La Salle Hall, Newport Road. New members are always welcome.

Check out our website at www.castlebar.ie\clubs\mitchels_GAA_club.