Draperstown Celtic Football Club is again hosting the annual Damian McGrogan Memorial Cup, now in its 14th year and played in proud memory of one of the clubs great stalwarts,player and friend to many.

This annual pre-season tournament is now a firm fixture on the local football calendar, and with a very competitive spirit shown over the years by all participating teams it has proven to be a great preparation source for all clubs as they commence their new season.

This years tournament will kick-off on Monday 26th July between 2008 winners Newtowne F.C and Irish Intermediate League team Killymoon Rangers. Tuesday27th sees host club Draperstown Celtic with their new management team of Marty McGuigan and Chris Larkin up against progressive Ballymena outfit Broadway Celtic. Wednesday sees Intermediate League’s Dungiven receive a bye unfortunately for the competition  into the next round by virtue of a very late withdrawal of  local opposition. The opening ties conclude onThursday 29th July with the tie of the round when cup holders Magherafelt Sky Blues take on local rivals Tobermore United.

The Semi-Finals wil be played the following Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd August,with the Final scheduled on Friday 6th August 2010.

All games will kick-off at 7pm and if level after 90 minutes the game will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Monday 26th July: Game A – Newtowne FC 6-0 Killymoon Rangers

Tuesday 27th July: Game B – Draperstown Celtic 1-1 Broadway Celtic *

Wednesday 28th July: Game C – Dungiven p-p Bye

Thursday 29th July: Game D – Magherafelt Sky Blues v Tobermore Utd

Monday 2nd August: SEMI-FINAL (1) Newtowne FC v Draperstown Celtic

Tuesday 3rd August: SEMI-FINAL (2) Dungiven v Winner Game D

Friday 6th August: Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2

Kick off 7pm Sharp at Cahore Playing Fields.

45minutes each way to be decided on a penalty shoot-out in the event of a draw.
All games played under IFA rules.

* Broadway withdrew due to other committments

The draw for the Celtic package weekend took place on Friday, March 12th and the winning ticket belonged to Brian Hutchinson from Tobermore. Brian is very instrumental in the South Derry Grassroots scheme of which DC are a part. Brian has also done quite a bit of coaching in the primary schools in the Draperstown area. So well done to him and a big thanks to all those who sold or bought tickets.
We hope to be able to run a similar draw next year.

The package includes tickets for 2 people to attend Celtic v Motherwell on April 10th. These are Business class tickets, not usually available to the general public, which allow access to the best seats in Celtic Park with full access to the Celtic suite with complimentary bar before and after the game, a buffet lunch at half time and the presentation of a signed Celtic shirt after the match by one of the players. (A strict dress code will apply to the winners)

Also include are 2 nights accommodation in the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow and 2 return flights from Belfast.

Tickets for this great prize are only £5 each with 3 for £10. Tickets will be on sale soon from all committee members and The Market Inn and the draw will take place at a club function in The Market Inn on Friday March 12th.

The Business Class Glasgow Celtic Experience

The Business Class Lounges offer you the opportunity to entertain clients in an informal setting.

Members enjoy a pre, post, and half-time cash bar facility and the opportunity to purchase a variety of snacks pre match, as well as premium match seating.

Seasonal package includes:

• Access to fully licensed lounge pre & post match
• Premium viewing padded seats on the North Stand
• Complimentary official match day programme
• Complimentary half-time snacks, teas & coffees
• Priority for all away match tickets, including semi-finals and finals
• Right to buy a car parking permit

For further information on the Business Class experience: http://www.celticfc.net/hospitality/premiumhospitality.aspx

Winners off the annual Draperstown Celtic Grand Draw have been announced, with the following:

1st. Weekend in Roganstown Hotel and Country Club : Lyn Kelly

2nd. £100 : Brendan Kidd (jnr)

3rd. £50 : Tiernan McKenna

4th £25 O’Kane’s Chemist voucher : Denise Falls

Thanks to all who bought a ticket. The club greatly appreciates your support.

Twenty two teams took part in the annual Draperstown Celtic golf day held at Moyola Park golf club on Friday, August 28th. Heavy rain in the days leading up to the event had threatened the closure of the course and therefore a cancellation of the event but a bright, dry morning and only one brief heavy shower in the afternoon meant that the competition went ahead. Scoring was good despite the damp conditions and competition for the excellent prizes was always going to be tough.

However, after all the cards were tallied it was the O’Kane brothers, Martin, Seamus and Dessie along with Gary Sargent who were victorious with a fine score of 105 points.

Second place went to the team lead by Packie Farrell along with Dermot Kelly, John McGrogan and Paul McKernan who scored 96 points and claimed their spot as a result of a better back nine.

Third place with also a score of 96 points was the team of F. Cushley, A. Gilmore, M.Bradley and S.McGuckin.

In fourth spot came Kevin and John Conway together with Benny Kidd and John McGinn on 93 points.

The last of the prize winning teams was that of Patrick Comiskey, Packie Kelly, John Hegarty and Gerry Kelly who score 88 points.

The committee of Draperstown Celtic would like to thank all those who took part on the day together with those who sponsored tee boxes. This is one of the club’s major fund-raising events and we are very thankful of the support we receive each year.
Thanks also to Moyola Park Golf Club for the use of the course, and also to the caterers for the excellent meal everyone enjoyed afterwards.

We hope that everyone enjoyed the day and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Draperstown Celtic are hosting a table quiz in the Market Inn on Friday September 11th.

It will the usual mixture of general knowledge, with a music and a picture round thrown in for good measure. We would like to get it started at 9:30 and if you have absolutely nothing better to do, totally bored sitting in the house, nothing worth watching on T.V. then pop in, join a team and pass a couple of hours without having to tax your brain too much.

Admission is £3 per person and everybody is very welcome.

Draperstown Celtic will once again host the annual McGrogan Cup competition, now seen as a very important part of the pre season build up for local teams. Named in the memory of Damian McGrogan, the competition sees 8 teams play in a knock out tournament.

Magherafelt Sky Blues won the tournament last year with a 4-3 victory over Limavady Utd and will hope to repeat their victory this season. All the regular teams will be there; Tobermore Utd, Moyola Park, Magherafelt Sky Blues, Killymoon Rangers, Dungiven, Cookstown Olympic and once Newtowne F.C.

All games are to be played at the Cahore Road playing fields and it gives a good opportunity for local fans to see their team in action and as always, an excellent opportunity for the clubs to get in some competitive match action before the rigors of the season actually kicks off.

Monday 27th July: Game A – Draperstown Celtic 2-1 Tobermore Utd

Tuesday 28th July: Game B – Magherafelt Sky Blues 4-0 Killymoon Rangers

Wednesday 29th July: Game C – Dungiven 0-2 Newtowne FC

Thursday 30th July: Game D – Moyola 0-4 Cookstown Olympic

Monday 3rd August: SEMI-FINAL (1) Draperstown Celtic 0-2 Magherafelt Sky Blues

Tuesday 4th August: SEMI-FINAL (2) Newtowne FC 3-0 Cookstown Olympic

Friday 7th August: Magherafelt Sky Blues v Newtowne FC

Kick off 7pm Sharp at Cahore Playing Fields.

45minutes each way to be decided on a penalty shoot-out in the event of a draw.
All games played under IFA rules.

Draperstown Celtic FC would like to give you and your company the opportunity of availing of pitchside sponsorship for our home ground situated at Cahore Road Draperstown.

The Club has just acquired a long term lease for both pitches and changing room facilities from Magherafelt Council.

Having already carried out extensive improvements on our main pitch to bring it up to Irish Football Association standard, we can remain playing in Intermediate grade football for the foreseeable future.

We do realise in this present financial climate it is not easy for a business to stretch their budgets to sponsorship of any description but to that end we are trying to make it as affordable as possible,

We have therefore outlined the following pricing structure so as to give you an option on any sponsorship you may wish to pledge;

• OPTION 1:
  8Ft x 2Ft CORREX BOARD
  1 YEAR SPONSORSHIP
  COST= £135

• OPTION 2:
  8Ft x 2Ft PVC BANNER
  2 YEAR SPONSORSHIP
  COST= £275

• OPTION 3:
  8Ft x 2Ft PVC BANNER
  3 YEAR SPONSORSHIP
  COST= £375

If you are interested please do not hesitate to contact us on the following details below.

Austin McKillion
T: 028 7962 7068
M: 077 1483 5976
E: austinmckillion@googlemail.com

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” (Winston Churchill)

The 2009/10 season is going to be one of the biggest in DCFC’s history both on and off the field, what with the costs of running the club increasing every season, the welcome work done on the pitch, the introduction of two new underage teams and with the current financial climate (don’t mention ‘economic downturn’ or ‘recession’) it’s going to prove to be a very difficult season all round, we have drawn up a programme of fundraising events for the next few months and would welcome any further ideas.

July 2009

• Membership (ongoing)
• Pitch-side sponsorship (ongoing)
• Friday 31st : Poker Night (full details to follow)

August 2009

• Membership (ongoing)
• Pitch-side sponsorship (ongoing)
• Sponsored match balls (ongoing)
• poker nite (t.b.c.)
• friday 28th : Golf Day (full details to follow)

September 2009

• Membership (ongoing)
• Pitch-side sponsorship (ongoing)
• Sponsored match balls (ongoing)
• poker nite (t.b.c.)
  
• £5 ticket draw (full details to follow)

Please keep checking the website for further updates on all fundraising events being held by DCFC.

Any support is always very welcome and appreciated.

Just a quick reminder that the Draperstown Celtic Annual Presentation Night will be held in the Market Inn (Draperstown) on Friday 12th June 2009, starting at 7:30pm. Food and refreshments will be available on the night, everyone welcome.

DC will be holding the annual ‘Night at the Races’ on Saturday 4 April in The Market Inn, Draperstown. First race is scheduled to start at 9:00pm, followed by music. The committee would like all members to please attend if possible.