BWildered Year Two – A Huge Success

John Lenihan and Joe O’Connor can celebrate the success of their B-Wildered Wilderness Challenge. Photograph: Domnick Walsh / Eye Focus LTD ©
John Lenihan and Joe O’Connor celebrate the founding of their B-Wildered Wilderness Challenge. This year’s event drew over 400 to the Ballymacelligott venue. Photograph: Domnick Walsh / Eye Focus LTD ©

Over 400 participants made a trip to Gleannageenty on Saturday morning last to take part in the second running of Bwildered The John Lenihan Wilderness Challenge.

Report by: Gerard Collins
Once again the event was a huge success judging from the feedback of the runners which was overwhelemning positive.  The success of the event was down to the combined effort of a number of people.  To all the land owners who permitted the use of their land for the event, especially club chairman, Tom Herlihy and his wife Kathleen for opening their farm yard as the centre point for the hosting of the event.  Joanne O’Riordan as the main co-ordinator put in enormous work ensuring the day ran smoothly.  Head of stewarding Kevin Leen made sure every part of the course was manned from start to finish while a huge thanks must also go to Paul Sugrue for the many hours he spent constructing the various obstacles needed for the challenge.  Amongst other who were not found wanting before during and after the event were Joanne and David Long, John O’Connor, Noel Leen and Michael Broderick.  Many more club members and parishioners also helped with stewarding, parking, catering and medical needs.  Many thanks to all who contributed to this event.
Lee Strand were again the main sponsors and thanks to their Marketing Manager Theresa Higgins Walker whose promotion of the event ensured it got maximum exposure.  Many thanks also to other comapanies who sponsored obstacles on the day.
The input of John Lenihan cannot be praised enough as he, this year in conjunction with Joe O’Connor, varied the course from last year which greatly added to the event.  Finally to all those who competed, thank you for your participation and look forward to seeing you all again in 2017.

Club Lotto Now at 22,700
The club lotto draw was held in Ballygarry House on Monday, April 25th 2016 for a jackpot of €2,600.  Numbers drawn were 4,5,11,19.  There was no winner.
Lucky Dips: 1. Keelan Brosnan, Ballymac; 2. John Moore, c/o Tony Marshall; 3. Bob Walsh, Tonreigh’; 4. Dick O’Brien, c/o Tom Leen and No. 5. Eddie O’Connell, Kielduff. Sellers Prize : Halfway Bar.  The lotto now stands at €2,700 and can be played at www.ballymacgaa.com

MINORS: Churchill 1-10 Ballymac 1-8
Blennerville was the venue for our County final game against Churchill last Friday evening.Strong performances from Micheal Reidy, Tadhg Brick, Tomas O Connor, and Darragh Reagan, narrowily failed to win us this trophy. Despite a poor start we were a point up at half time ,but it was our inability to make the most of our chances that was probably the cause of our undoing in a tight game. Churchill got off to a great start getting 3 points inside the first 5 minutes. Dara Reagan was fouled and pointed from the free.Again our opponents pointed while Ml Reidy drove through and pointed for us. Robert Dowd climbed high and punched to the net for us,from a Dara Reagan free and ML Hoare passed to Keelan Brosnan who put over a long range point.Churchill got two more points and in injury time a cracking shot by Gary Horan hit the crossbar and went over leaving the half time score 1-4 to 0-6 in our favour.
Liam O Malley pointed for us straight from the off,quickly followed by an opposition point. Dara Reagan pointed from a free but then disaster struck as Churchill got through for a goal.  Dara Reagan was fouled after a fine catch and converted the free while our opponents again pointed. Ml Hoare was fouled and Tomas pointed from the free to tie the game with ten minutes to go. Again Churchill pointed while sustained Ballymac pressure didn’t get its just reward. An injury time point sealed the win for our opponents and saw our first defeat in the county league campaign. A big thank you to team mentors, Tony Silles, Martin Lowe, Willie Costelloe and Aidan O Connor for the time they have dedicated over the last couple of months to this minor squad.  A massive thank you also to all those who came out to support us on the evening.
Team and scorers: Barry Lyons, David Long, Eddie Rodgers, Max O Brien, captain; Tadhg Brick, Micheal Reidy, 0-1; Josh O’Keeffe, Keelan Brosnan 0-1; Liam O’Malley, 0-1; Michael Hoare, Eoin O’Malley, Gary Horan 0-1; Dara Keane, Tomas o Connor, 0-1; Dara Reagan, 0-3. Subs: Robert Dowd, 1-0; Kevin O’Connor, Ross Mansfield, Chris Lowe, James McDonnell, Cathal Dunne, Dara O’Connor Chawke.

Cúl Camp 2016
The Cúl Camp in Ballymacelligott this year will take place between July  25th and  29th from 10am to 2.30pm daily. Bookings can be made at the following: www.gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps
Free Jersey, Training Top and Back Pack.

FAOI 16
Ballymac played host to Castlegregory on Monday the 25th of April in the semi final of the Central District U16 competition. Ballymac started this game at a blistering pace and full forward Barry Lyons had a hat trick of goals scored for the home side within the first 8 minutes.  Castlegregory replied with a goal and a point. The home side continued to dominate in all sections and scored six more points before half time. These points came from Daire Keane with two and one each from: David Rogers, Dylan McHugh, Josh O’Keeffe and Dylan Dunne Moriarty.
Castlegregory tried hard to get back into contention but Ballymac’s backs worked very hard to limit their scores. The half time score was Ballymac 3-06 to Castlegregory 1-04.
At the start of the second half Castlegregory rallied and scored three points without reply in the first 10 minutes. However Ballymac took control with four points from Daire Keane and one each from: David Rogers, James MacDonald and Dylan Dunne Moriarty.
At this point Ballymac ran the bench and scored two more goals before the final whistle. These goals came from the very solid centre back ,Tadhg Brick and substitute, Aiden O’ Brien. Castlegregory went on to score 1-1 to leave the final score:  Ballymac 5-13 to Castlegregory 2-8.
This was very much a team performance from the home side with all players playing good football.
In the final played on Bank Holiday Monday in Blennerville we had a superb one point victory over Ardfert.
Congratulations to players and management on this great win. Full report to follow in next week notes. Congratulations to the U-14B team on making the semi-final stages of the county league. Captained by Kyle O’Connor they played their last game in Ballymac last Wednesday night and produced their best football of the campaign to beat Firies B 6-17 to 2-4. With two wins and a draw they finished second place in their group and secured a home venue for the semi final. They will play Firies B in Ballymac on WednesdayMay  4th. Throw in is at 6.15pm All support will be welcome on the night.

FAOI 12 Blue Team
The U-12 boys played Laune Rangers last Saturday evening on the main pitch in Ballymac. This was an entertaining game with the visiting team proving to be stronger team on the night. The final score was Ballymac 2-12 Laune Rangers 5-14. On Monday evening the lads gave an exhilirating display of football when overcoming a very good Glenflesk side on a score line of Ballymac 4-13  Glenflesk 3-12.
Gold Team
Our Gold Team had a convincing victory over Laune Rangers on Saturday evening last. There was good link play by our forwards throughout and these yielded four goals.   The final score was Ballymac 4-07 Laune Rangers 0-7.   On Monday they kept their winning run going with another good victory over Glenflesk on a 5-10 to 2-7 scoreline.
FAOI 10
The academy for our U-10 panel continued last Sunday morning with a good turnout.  The next academy will take place next Sunday, May 8th. Our U-10 will have their first outing in the U-10 Go Games next week in Castleisland. See full schedule below. We will have games on the night against:  Castleisland Desmonds, Currow, and Scartaglen.
U-10 Blitz Schedule Castleisland District Board:
Week Host Club:Night 1 May 2nd – May 8th.   Castleisland Desmonds; Night 2 May 16th – May 22nd.   Ballymac; Night 3 June 6th – June 12th  Currow and  Night 4 June 27th – July 3rd  Scartaglin.

FAOI 8
The academy for our U8 panel continued last Sunday morning with a good turnout on the day. The next academy will take place next Sunday the 8th of May. The U8’s will be  participating in Go Games next week.  (See full schedule below).  We will have games on the night against Castleisland Desmonds, Currow, and Scartaglen.

Under 8 Blitz Schedule. Castleisland District Board. Night 1 May 2nd – May 8th Castleisland Desmonds; Night 2 May 23rd – May 29th  Ballymac;  Night 3 June 13th – June 19th.  Cordal and Night 4 July 4th.  – July 10th. Scartaglin.

FAOI 6
U6 Academy Boys and Girls had another big turn out on Sunday and everyone had lots of fun learning their skills. Academy continues next Sunday 1st May in the main pitch so come along and bring your water and gum shield.

CAILINI FAOI 12
Our U 12 girls had a good victory over Southern Gaels last Tuesday evening to continue their  good run in the Co. League.  They are due to play Cromane on Tuesday, 3rd May in Ballymac.

CAILINI FAOI 10
We had another great turnout of girls on Sunday morning last as they continue to improve their skills.  Those who showed best on the morning were Aoibhinn Broderick, Anna Collins, Laura Kelly and Rachel Creedon.

SPONSORED WALK
Many thanks to all who took part and helped organise the fundraising walk in Ballyseedy Woods on Monday morning last. All funds raised will go towards the running of Feile within the Club.

WEDDING BELLS
Congratulations to Grainne Maunsell and Larry Kelly who were married last weekend.  Larry is a vital member of our Friday night squad and hopefully we will see Larry in action with them soon again when they return in the coming weeks.

SYMPATHY
The Club extends its sympathy to Paul Horan Kilquane on the death of his mother Mrs. Peggy Horan in Brosna – and also to the Deane family, Coolnadeed on the death of Mrs. Kay Deane.