Ballymac’s U-13 boys played their first game in the Rose Cup against Austin Stacks. The game was played at a fast pace with a lot of near misses by us.
Austin Stacks came out of the game with the win. Great credit has to be given to the Ballymac boys for brushing themselves off and winning their next couple of group games against St. Paul’s and Kilcummin to put them into a semifinal against Legion. This was a close game with Ballymac also facing into the wind while taking the lead in the first half.
They started well in the second but Legion came back at them and needed a goal to draw it but the Ballymac lads held on to guarantee a place in the final against Milltown-Castlemaine. In the final we started against the wind again and had a great first half.
Milltown-Castlemaine’s goalie kept them in it with some fine saves. We led going into the second half and finished strong and pulled away to win the game.
Great celebrations ensued after the final whistle. Well done to players, mentors and all who supported them. Captain Darragh Sweeney accepted the shield to great celebrations. Well done all…
Panel: Bryan Godley, Sean Horan, Cathal Culloty, Ryan McHugh, Dylan Barry O Connell, Adam Walker, Padraig O Sullivan, Adam Joy, James Bailey, Darragh Sweeney (C), Adam O Keefe, Thomas O Connor, Liam O Connor, Denis Brosnan, Adam Kelly, Maurice O Connell, Andy Rodgers, James Kenny, Donal Daly, Luke O Connell, Eoin Creedon
Mentors: Liam Sweeney, Liam Joy, Fintan Kelly, James Godley
Lotto Draw at Ballygarry House Hotel
The lotto was held in Ballygarry House on Monday August 15th for a jackpot of €4,200.The numbers drawn were 1,14,24,28.There was no winner.
Lucky Dips: 1.James O’Hara c/o Tom Leen; 2.Patrick Reidy, Ballydwyer; 3.Denis Mc Mahon Clogher; 4.James Lynch c/o Paula Silles; 5.Therese Williams c/o Paula Silles;
The Lotto now stands at €4,300 and can be played online at ballymacgaa.com.
Seniors’ Victory Over Na Gaeil
Our senior team made a swift return to Division 3 football with a superb victory over Na Gaeil on Saturday evening last.
Ballymac were missing a few regulars and Na Gaeil were unbeaten in County Competitions in 2016 and entered the game as favourites.
It was Ballymac who started the stronger and led by 1-5 to 0-1 after 20 minutes Vinny Horan(1-1) TJ Casey(0-2) and Aidan Breen(0-2) were our scorers.The visitors then hit four points in succession before Vinny Horan pointed to leave the half time score Ballymac 1-6 Na Gaeil 0-5.Horan opened the scoring in the second half with a point but then with the aid of the breeze Na Gaeil hit a purple patch and scored six points to a sole Aidan Breen point which saw the sides level with ten minutes remaining.With the town side dominating at this stage they seemed set for victory however our lads showed great character and a never say die attitude and fought for every ball as if their lives depended on it.Na Gaeils cause was not helped when they were reduced to 14 men.Two pointed frees by Aidan Breen in the time remaining ensured a thoroughly deserved victory.On the night Ballymac had 17 heroes and all played their part in the win,mention must also made of the management team led by Paud O Donoghue and his selectors Tom O Shea,Dennis O Connor and Sean Brosnan who had the team firing on all cylinders for the game. Best wishes to Michael Sweeney who suffered a hand injury during the game. The team: P Laide,L Dunne,C Reynolds,M Sweeney,D Long,L Sweeney,D Madden,M Herlihy,A Breen,P McCarthy,E Reidy,W Casey,M O Brien,TJ Casey,V Horan.Subs:G Horan,S Bermingham.
All Ireland Semi Finals
Good luck to both Kerry Senior and Minor teams who travel to Croke Park on Sunday next for their respective semi finals.In particular we wish our two Club Minors Michael Reidy and Tomas O Connor all the best as they are part of the Kerry Minor panel who take on Kildare in the curtain raiser.
Faoi 16
Ballymac played Na Gaeil on Wednesday last in the semi final of Division 4 County League in Kileen. When these teams met earlier in the competition Na Gaeil emerged victorious by a large margin.
The game started even enough with both sides scoring early from frees , Ballymac’s scores coming from Daire Keane (2) and David Rogers (2)
Two goals from Na Gaeil pushed them into a six point lead with half time approaching but Ballymac rallied and two more points from Daire Keane and David Rogers reduced the half time deficit to four points. Half time score Na Gaeil 2.4 Ballymac 0.6
Na Gaeil dominated the second half and although Ballymac tried hard they could not get the better of a more physical Na Gaeil . The home team registered 1.5 in the first fifteen minutes to Ballymac’s one point. Josh O Keeffe’s goal from a penalty and a point from a free from David Rogers were Ballymac’s remaining scores in the second half. Na Gaeil went on to score two more points leaving the final score at Na Gaeil 3.11 to Ballymac 1.9
Ballymac Team ; Eoin Culloty, Cian Godley , Cathal Dunne, Diarmuid Lynch , Liam O Brien , Tadgh Brick , Dara Chawke , James McDonald , Josh O’Keeffe, Cillian Gallagher , David Rogers, Dylan Dunne Moriarty, Dara Broderick , Barry Lyons, Daire Keane. Subs Used : Brian Cassidy , Daire Lynch, Aiden O’Brien and Jonathan Lowe.
Faoi 12
Our U12 Blue team got their Central Region campaign off to a winning start with a good victory over Austin Stacks. At half time they led on a scoreline of 4 – 9 to 0 – 3. They continued their dominance in the second half to run out winners on a scoreline of 5-17 to 1-06.
The Gold teams game with Stacks was a much closer affair as there was very little between the sides however, at the final whistle it was our boys who were celebrating following their 5 – 15 to 5 – 11 victory.
Faoi 10
We entered two teams into the annual Miltown-Castlemaine blitz. Our U10 boys won their 3 group games with saw them qualify for a semi final against the host club. Throughout the game there was very little between the teams however, it was the Miltown side who prevailed by a single point to qualify for the final which they duly won.
Our U 9 boys although a year younger than most of the teams they came up against they gave a couple of great displays and qualified for a semi final against Laune Rangers in their section. Like the older boys only a point denied them a place in the final.
Cailini Faoi 13
On Saturday last the club’s under 13 girls competed in the Annual Sandra Keane Blitz in the John Mitchels complex in Tralee. 16 teams competed on the day with teams divided into four groups of four. Our girls were in a group with the hosts John Mitchels, Dr Crokes and Rathmore.
Our first group game against was against the hosts, and the girls got off to a great start, winning nine points to two. All the girls took the game to Mitchels from the beginning, playing against a strong breeze, to lead four points to no score at half time with Sinead Mc Keown (2), Cora Savage and Aylssa Leen getting the scores. With the aid of the breeze in the second half the girls dominated notching five more points , three from the boot of Cora Savage from midfield and two from Kate O Connor at full forward.
This result gave the girls great confidence heading into their second game against Rathmore and again playing against the breeze in the first half our backs especially Roisin Long, Sophie O Donoghue, Emily O Brien and Cathy Palmer kept a very dangerous Rathmore forward line in check eventhough they racked up five points , no goals were conceded. In the forward line our girls made the most of their opportunities with the excellent Mary Anne Fleming accounting for two goals and a point to leave us ahead by two points at the break. The second half was nip and tuck but we managed to keep our noses in front ,with Cora Savage showing great leadership, getting on the scoreboard on three occasions with three points. Rathmore managed two points to leave the final score 2-4 to 7pts. Other girls to perform well in this game were Holly Geary, Millie Dunne , Aoife Galvin and Emma Leen.
Our final group game was against Dr Crokes with the girls proving too strong winning on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-1. Sinead Mc Keown got in for an excellent goal and also chipped in with a point along with the excellent Kate O Connor scoring three points and one from the boot of Cora Savage. Grainne Galvin in goals played with great assurance again and in the backs Ciara Palmer and Laura Dunne did their bit for the team. Up front Katie Enright was involved throughout along with Aylssa Leen and the free scoring Kate O Connor.
After winning the three group games this meant the girls were in the Cup semi final. The ladies football power power house in South Kerry , Southern Gaels stood in the girls way of a final place. After roughly seventy five minutes of football played by both teams at that stage both teams served up a great game . SG started off lively with a goal and a point but Cora Savage kept us in touch with two excellent frees into the wind and one from play . SG finished the first half with a point to leave the half time score 1-2 to 0-3. The second half was very tense with both teams going for the win and the girls brought the game level with two points from play from Cora Savage but SG responded with a point in the closing stages to take the lead. The girls gave everything to get the initiative back but fatigue was a factor in denying them , and with the last kick of the game the niece of Kerry legend Maurice Fitzgerald got in for a goal to give Southern Gaels the win on the score of 2-3 to 0-5.
Kieran O Connor, coach with the girls, said on behalf of the management, but how proud they were of the girls on the day. He wished to thank the parents for their cooperation on the day considering the conditions. SG went on to win the final so it goes to show the talent that our club possesses in the future for ladies football. Well done
Cailini Faoi 10
Well done to two of our U10 girls panel Alice Brosnan and Jill Quirke who were selected as Rose Buds at the recent Rose of Tralee Festival. It was a great experience for both girls.
Handball
Congratulations to Ashley Prenderville on winning the Quarter Final of the All Ireland ladies senior singles. Beating Pauline Gallagher (Mayo) 21-12, 21-18.
Bobcats Basketball
With the Basketball season around the corner the Bobcats have organised an intro coaching course in Miltown Community Centre on Saturday 3rd September from 9.30 to 5.00pm. Please contact Siobhan Creedon on 0862269245 for further information.
Sympathy
The club extends its deepest sympathy to the O’Connor family, Caherbreagh on the death of Mrs. Ellen O’Connor whose great grandchildren Thomas (U-14 boys) and Orla (10/12 girls) play with the club.
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