JINKING solo runs and neat side-steps have been the hallmark of James McCartan throughout his playing career.

For the past fifteen years they have been getting him beyond the reach of defenders and out of trouble.

If we are to believe the weekend newspapers one of his greatest side-steps was not on the field of play but in the corridors of Croke Park a few weeks ago.

Wee James McCartan probably did not read the Sunday papers this weekend as he had other things on his mind. His wife had just presented him with a bouncing baby boy, an occasion for rejoicing in any household.

Over the last fifteen years he has been making the headlines on the sporting pages but on Sunday he had made his way to the front pages.

The occasion was the follow-up to an incident in a “friendly game” between Down and Westmeath earlier this year.

The story has been common knowledge in the county for some time. Down played the Leinster county at a Dublin venue before taking on Monaghan in the championship. Colm Broderick was the referee and according to reports he performed very well. There were no complaints from the Westmeath players nor from their team manager Luke Dempsey, who actually congratulated Broderick after the game.

In the course of the game a Westmeath player, Kenny Larkin, received an injury, allegedly a broken jaw, the injury allegedly sustained after contact with McCartan.

Larkin it seems was a student at Gardai Training College and the injury necessitated him taking time off.

The incident was not brought to the attention of the referee at the time nor was it an issue between the players and the Westmeath manager after the game. However some officials in Westmeath, notably county secretary Paddy Collins, were not happy and eventually their representations led to the authorities in Croke Park deciding to investigate the incident. Hence McCartan’s visit to Croke Park accompanied by county chairman Eamonn O’Toole and team manager Paddy O’Rourke. Nothing untoward so far you might think. He is not the first, nor will he be the last to attend such a hearing. But then things got complicated.

As the trio left the hearing they were met in the corridor by three men in plain clothes, one of whom identified himself as “a member of the Gardai” - two apparently did not have identification. It is suggested that they attempted to usher James into a room saying, “We would like to speak to you”.

What followed is not clear, but they did not get their interview. The incident which is now in the public demesne raises many serious issues.

BANGOR..........7 KILKEEL HSOB..........1
HAVING been heavily defeated 7-nil by potential league winners Annadale the previous week, Kilkeel HSOB travelled to play promoted Bangor, hoping to get their season re-energised, but it was not to be as they again conceded seven goals.

Early on Kilkeel looked impressive and in the first attack of the game took the lead, David Annett and Brian Niblock being initially involved before Sam Graham skilfully worked his way into the circle to score.

However, this lead was short-lived as Bangor levelled from their first penalty corner through Mark Daniel, and Bangor added a second from a corner.

Leslie Edgar then saved well from Jeremy McAfee as Bangor threatened, but Kilkeel retaliated, Sam Graham passing to Adam Agnew whose shot hit the post.

In the 22nd minute Bangor notched their third goal when Gareth Morton and Chris Campbell combined before Jeremy McAfee profited from the resultant pass. Just prior to half-time William Annett’s pace and control troubled their home rearguard, but he had no reward.

MORE GOALS
On the restart Bangor keeper John Tormey saved well from William Annett, and two minutes later Leslie Edgar similarly denied the home side.

However, four minutes into the half Bangor scored their fourth goal through Mark Daniel following excellent approach play by Scott Parker.

Thereafter Kilkeel had their best phase, David Annett and Sam Graham carving out an opportunity with David Annett’s shot winning a penalty corner. A penalty stroke was awarded following the resultant shot, but Sam Graham had his effort saved by Tormey.

Bangor then swept downfield to score their fifth goal from a Gareth Morton penalty corner shot. Kilkeel hit back immediately with a William Annett thrust earning a penalty corner, from which a second penalty stroke resulted, but Brian Niblock had his effort kept out by Tormey. and Gareth Morton and Chris Campbell scored twice in the latter stages to add to Kilkeel’s woes.

THE AFTERMATH
While the defeat by Annadale was demoralising, the fact that they were last year’s league winners and this year’s league leaders, partially explained the result. Saturday’s result, however, is harder to take as it could be expected that Bangor would be easier to contain.

The team in general and certain players in particular, must reassess their commitment. Confidence is low and this makes the task all the harder, but for everyone concerned with the Club, especially its sponsor Eric Niblock, to urge the players to show more pride in their performance is off the utmost importance.

The more one puts into one’s efforts, the better will be the reward!

SIXTY-FIVE archers turned up for Ballyvally’s annual Hallowe’en shoot and same good scores were recorded and all the pumpkins were hit.

The round shot was the traditional National Animal Round and all age groups from 5-years-old right up to grandfathers were present.

In the class for 5-year-olds in first place was Matthew Jameson who also broke the Club record with a score of 135. In second place was Gerard McNamara. In the class for 7-year-olds Jason Finnegan won with a score of 145 and also a new club record.

This class for 8-year-olds was hotly contested and eventually Zoe Jameson won with an excellent 185 and a new club record. In second place was David McMullan - 155, in third place Danielle Byrne - 145 and in fourth place Daniel Duffin - 135. In the class for 9-year-olds Ben Jardine just back from shooting in Meath, shot a very good 195 to win over second place John Donnelly, also just back from Meath. John shot 190 while in third place was Ciaran Heaney - 180 who just edged out Michael Duggan - 180 on missed arrows! Kirsten Harper shot a new girls record of 145 in the same class.

In the 10-year-old class, Peter Lavery won with 250 breaking the existing record while Paul Duffy was second with 190. In the class for 11-year-olds, Mark Nesbitt won with 275 second was Claire Hillen - 225, third was Eileen Byrne - 215. The class for 12-year-olds was won by Nicole Aird - 215 with Christopher Maginess - 180 just edging out Matthew Watt - 175 for second place.

The 13-year-old class was won by Amy Lavery - 250 shooting freestyle who just edged ahead of Chris Murray when the handicap was adjusted. Jamie McGrath, longbow and Matthew McGreevy, barebow both set new club records for their respective styles.

The class for 14-year-olds saw a very close competition between Graham McBurney, barebow and Gareth Nesbitt, compound barebow with Gareth just emerging the winner by five points. Gareth scored 250 and Graham 245.

In third place was Damien Tumilty on 230 while Ashleigh Todd doing the Duke of Edinburgh award in archery and at her first shoot broke the club record and held it for all of 30 seconds before Bronagh Campbell’s larger score came in. Now Bronagh holds the record for 14-year-olds!

In the older class Michelle Willis broke the record for girls compound barebow with 195 while Kathryn Doran, returning to barebow with a bang, broke the record for 16-year-old girls. In the senior beginners’ class, William Graham won with 190 closely followed by Jim McAreavey and Harry McMullan, both on 170. They could only be separated by going to misses.

In the more experienced senior class Andy Haggan won the longbow with 230 followed by Audrey Needham on 135. The barebow class was won with no surprise by Peter Mulligan - 295, the compound class by Wesley Grattan over Ken Quinn.

This also had to go to misses as both had 280. Wesley won on misses. Robert Nesbitt was second in men’s barebow while Patricia Mulligan put the ladies barebow record up to 255.

The pumpkin knockout was won by David Montgomery U-10s; Peter Lavery U-12s; Damien Tumilty U-18s and Wesley Grattan more experienced class.
The Club would like to thank all those parents who helped with registration and scoring.

Top Cubs were Claire Hillen - girls and Mark Nesbitt - boys.
Top Minors were Gareth Nesbitt -boys and Amy Lavery - girls.
Top Juniors were Wesley Grattan - boys and Michelle Willis - girls.
Top Seniors were Peter Mulligan - Men and Patricia Mulligan - Ladies.