A very busy week for the young Mitchells began on Saturday last as Ballylinan from Co Laois came to the field for a number of u/8 go games matches, there was some great scores, passing and goalkeeping on display and the club would like to thank Ballylinan for the matches and for their fine team. We would also like to thank our own coaches who are working very hard with this group of talented players.

The very busy week on the underage front continued latter in the week, which saw Castlemitchell u/10 and u/12 teams complete the first round of matches in their leagues. On Tuesday night the pitch was full with the two u/10 teams entertaining Suncroft and St Laurences in two mighty matches. Against Suncroft we saw a fine game of football as the young Mitchell’s gave the Suncroft young guns their toughest test to date. This was a complete match, end to end stuff with passion from both sides and no little skill on display. At the end both sides shook hands on a great game of go game football and the club were delighted with the reaction of the Suncroft mentors who were high in their praise for the Young Mitchells efforts. The club would like to wish a fine Suncroft team the very best for the rest of the year and thank them for a great match. On the second pitch the younger Mitchells were up against a tall and skilful St Laurences team. The young lions put it up to their taller opposition and took some great scores. However St Laurences were able to call on some fine reserve footballers to compliment their fine team and ended the match very strong. This was another great game and we would like to wish St Laurences the very best for the future.

Wednesday night saw our U.14 team launch their league campaign against a talented St Kevins team, a great crowd enjoyed a fine game of football which was a roller coaster of a game. The Mitchells led by six at half time but St Kevins got on top in the opening minutes of the second half to go a few points clear. But in an exciting finish Castlemitchell went on a mini scoring spree to run out 4 point winners in a tremendous game of football. Well done to all involved and we would like St Kevin’s all the very best for the rest of the league.

Thursday night saw the conclusion of the u/12 Soutboard leagues with Rathangan and Raheens visitors to Castlemitchell. The match v Rathangan was another great advert for football in South Kildare, the young Mitchells gaining a well deserved lead at half time with two great goals and a number of points. However Rathangan turned on the style in the second half with a goal of their own and a number of points. However it was the second half rear guard of the young Mitchells that held out in a fine nights football and a great advert for go games. We would like to thank Rathangan for the match and wish them all the best for 2012. Over on the second pitch some new faces to the club were getting their third outing in the game of Gaelic football. These young lads have shown great potential and will come on as very skilful players in the future, However on this occasion they came up against a fine Raheens team who took their scores well and with great skill. Well done to the coaches of this Castlemitchell team as they have unearthed some fine talent for the future for the club. Again we would like to take the opportunity to thank Raheens for the game and wish them the very best for 2012.

On Friday night last Castlemitchells young guns entertained Castledermot in three different grades. One of the biggest underage crowds were on hand to see the u/6 teams have a great battle which was matched in two other matches with the u/8 girls from both teams serving up a fine game of football , matched by the u/8 lads with no little skill and passion on both sides. Best of luck to Castledermot in their future games.

A busy week continued for the Young Mitchells, which  saw two u/12 back matches being played on Monday night last. On  the first pitch Castlemitchell came up against a tall and skilful Kilcullen side who put in a great 40 minutes football. However the young mitchells were not out done in the footballing stakes showing great promise with some lovely goals and a great number of points. This was a fine match played in front of a big crowd giving both teams a great experience of the go games model. Over on the second pitch, the young mitchells second team came up against Kildangan. In a great game of football both teams took some fine scores with both teams displaying the teamwork needed to build for the future. On a fine nights football in Castlemitcehll, the club would like to thank Kilcullen and Kildangan for travelling to our pitch and for the sporting nature of both matches.

On another good night in Castlemitchell on Thursday night last, the home side came up against a fine Round Towers team from Kildare Town. This was Kildare football at its best, great defending and some fine and hard worked scores. The young mitchells uped their game in the second half with two great and well worked goals. At the other end Towers got through for some fine scores as well but only after breaking what was a well organised defence. At the end of the night both teams were very happy with their performance, Towers are a fine team and we wish them the best for the rest of the season but this was one of the best performances from the home team and their second half attack and defence was worth watching for the large attendance.

This week saw the second round of u/10 matches with Castlemitcehll hosting Rathangan and Round Towers in two go games matches. In the first match a very skilful Castlemitchell played some very good football and took some great scores against a fine Rathangan team. This was a fine game of football with the young mitcehlls playing to the best of their ability and putting a lot of pressure on the Rathangan defence. In the second half Rathangan in fairness came out fighting and played a lot of very good football. However with the result in the refs notebook, the management and players of Castlemitchell can be very proud of their efforts and their performance on the night which was noted by many as one of the best underage performances in the field in many a year. The Management would like to thank Rathangan for their kind words and sportsmanship during the match and wish them all the best in the future.

Over on the second pitch a young and able Mitchells side were up against a fine Round Towers team from Kildare Town. The young Towers were quick into their stride but with great work from the Young Mitchell’s the game was up and down the pitch with great entertainment for the large crowd watching. Castlemitchell were delighted with the performance of their team in this their second match of the league and would like to thank Round Towers for their kind words after the match and wish them all the best for the future.

This week saw the launch of the South board leagues with the u/10 and u/12 divisions getting underway. On Tuesday night two Castlemitcehll teams left Athy for matches against Easestown and Raheens. In two splendid go games matches the young mitchells’s played with great heart and no little skill. As in all go games matches the result remains a mystery in the referees book but safe to say that the Mitchells gave a very good account of themselves in both ties. Thanks very much to Eadestown and Raheens for hosting our teams.

Thursday night was due to see two u/12 teams in action, but due to a bereavement in Ballyteague, where we send our condolonces, the green Mitchells team did not play.

However the white Mitchells team travelled to play in one of the best go games matches seen in Castledermot in many a day, with Castledermot getting a goal within the first minute , the young Mitchells were on the back foot. In a ding dong first half both sides exchanged scores and when referee Dessie Coyle blew for half time the home side were 5 points up. The young Mitchells piled on the pressure in the second half but could not break down a gallant Castledermot defence who held out for a win with only a few points between the sides. As in all go games the ref will keep the score but we would like to congragulate Castledermot on their performance and sportsmanship and to wish them well in the coming weeks.