John Lockes Callan GAA

Under age hurling and football registration for this year takes place this Friday evening at 8pm at the clubrooms. As last year, registration fees are: 1st Child €20, 2nd Child €15, 3rd Child €10.

A Foundation Level football coaching course takes place this week, on Tuesday night and Saturday. Anyone interested in coaching underage football are asked to attend. Course will be given by Carlow GAA Coach, Brendan Hayden. For further information please contact Keith Goff (086-8282878)

Junior Football The Locke’s lads took on neighbours Graigue Ballycallan in the second round of the Junior football league at the weekend and had to endure an agonising one point loss. The first half seemed to pass the Callan lads by and playing against a stiff enough breeze it was Graigue Ballycallan. led by the impressive James Ryall who dominated the early exchanges. Dan McCormack replied to an opening score from Graigue on ten minutes but some wayward shooting in front of goal cost them dearly and Graigue-Ballycallan registered a goal and a further point to put them firmly in the driving seat. Further problems for the Locke’s lads arose when following an accidental clash they lost Shane Bergin, and before half time they also lost the services of Keith Doheny and Eoghan Fahey also to injury. The Callan lads rallied and a point courtesy of Darren O Dwyer left it 1-2 to 0-2 at the break.
The second half was barely two minutes old when Graigue again raised a green flag following a mix up in the Callan defence and it looked like they would have a mountain to climb to get back into the game. Dan Mc Cormack posted another point before Graigue hit the back of the Locke’s net for the third time hitting them on the break to open up a very healthy 3-2 to 0-3 lead with fifteen minutes left on the clock. From here to the final whistle the Locke’s lads threw everything they had into securing an unlikely victory. Dan McCormack again and substitute Brian McCann hit points before Paddy Kennedy broke through the Graigue defence and buried the ball in the back of the Graigue net. Robbie Wall registered another white flag as did McCormack again to leave the minimum between the sides but ultimately time ran out and Graigue hung on to win on a 3-2 to 1-7 score line.
A disappointing result for the lads but they will be happy with the way they responded in the second half and none tried harder than Ruairi and Paddy Kennedy in defence, Jack McDowell when moved to midfield to mark James Ryall and Dan McCormack , Robbie Wall and substitute Brian McCann further up field. The league continues next weekend with a home game against Kilmacow at 2pm on Saturday.

Ladies Football The John Locke’s ladies football club will hold their A.G.M. in the clubrooms on Saturday February 7th at 7.30pm. The club currently consists of just an adult ladies team but if there are people who could give of their time to develop an underage section it is certainly something which would be a welcome asset to the club and will be on the agenda on the night. The Locke’s will play in the Carlow/Kilkenny Junior league again for 2015 and in the Kilkenny junior Championship. All current players and prospective new players are asked to attend the A.G.M. All are welcome.