The U-12 Castleisland District finals took place on Saturday with Castleisland Desmonds hosting the event. Ballymac A played against Knock Brosna and Cordal played against Ballymac B.
In the Ballymac v Knock/Brosna game both teams exchanged early points, but a goal from James Kenny after ten minutes helped to settle our team.
As the half went on our team started to get the upper hand with two superb goals from Adam Wharton.
We led at halftime on the score line of 3-04 to 0-05. Playing with the wind in the second half, our team quickly got into their stride.
Kieran Slattery’s excellent kicking out gave us a great platform to launch our attacks. With Mossie Brennan, Jamie Sugrue, Luke O’Connell and Eoin Creedon airtight in defense, we continued to dominate.
Game of His Life
Mark O’Connor was having the game of his life, running at Knock/Brosna time and time again and setting up many scores. Maurice O’Connell added two further goals which was followed by two superb points from Donal Daly in midfield.
At this point the game was over as a contest. Jared O’Brien was introduced in the second half and he did well putting Knock/Brosna under pressure at every opportunity.
We ran out comfortable winners on a score line of 5-14 to 0-10. Our captain Andy Rogers accepted the trophy on behalf of his team mates. We would like to thank all the parents for their support and Castleisland Desmonds for having the pitch in wonderful condition.
On Winning Ways
The blue team continued on their winning ways on the following night with a good 5-9 to 2-4 victory over Ardfert in Division 1 A of the Central Region.
This result ensured second place for them in this Division. Many thanks to mentors Roland Rogers, Declan O’Connell and Eddie O’Connell who had this team playing some fantastic football throughout the year.
Lotto Survives Ó Riada’s Draw
The lotto was held in Ó Riada’s for a jackpot of €4,500. Numbers drawn were 13,16,18,24. There was no jackpot winner. Lucky Dip winners included: 1. Sean Scanlon, Ballymac; 2. Tom Landers, c/o Tony Marshall; 3. John Duggan, c/o Tom Leen; 4. Silles family, Caherbreagh; 5. Esther O’Connor, Scart; Sellers Prize: Mannix PO; The jackpot now stands at €4,600 and can be played for on: www.ballymacgaa.com
Seniors in Coiste Semi Final
Our Senior team travel to play John Mitchells in the semi final of the Coiste Tra Li Championship on Saturday evening next. Throw in at the John Mitchels Complex at 5.30pm.
Golf Classic Fundraiser 2016
Ballymacelligott GAA Club will hold its annual golf classic at Beaufort Golf Club on Saturday, October 15th. The competition is a Stableford four-man team format. Team of four costs €160. All interested in entering a team please contact David Slattery at: 087 22 01 042. Team prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd with the first prize being a four-ball at the Old Head of Kinsale. All proceeds go to the continued development of underage football in Ballymac.
All Ireland Minor Final
Kerry take on Galway in the All Ireland Minor Football Final on Sunday next. Ballymac players Micheál Reidy and Tomás O’Connor have been part of the panel since the beginning of the year and it would be great to see the boys in Croke Park on the biggest day of the football year. Two other lads involved with connections to the parish are David Clifford of Fossa whose mother Ellen is a native of Ballymac and Beale’s Cormac Linnane son of Mrs. Peggy Linnane who is a teacher at Clogher National School. Best of luck to the lads and their team mates on the biggest day of their football lives.
County Minor Hurling Final
Congratulations to Tomás O’Connor and his Crotta team mates who secured the County Minor Hurling Championship with a victory over Lixnaw on Sunday last in Austin Stack Park.
Faoi 16
Ballymac U16 boys start their town league campaign with a home fixture against Kerins O’Rahillys at 18.30 on Thursday the 15th of September.
Faoi 14
Ballymac U14 boys start their town league campaign with a home fixture against Na Gaeil at 18.30 on Tuesday the 13th of September. Friday the 16th of September has been agreed for the rescheduled Castleisland District A Final between Ballymac A and Currow with the venue yet to be determined. Details of the fixture will be sent out to all relevant parties when finalised. All support on the night would be greatly appreciated.
Gold Team
Our Gold team took on Cordal on Saturday evening in Castleisland in the final of their section of the U-12 Castleisland District League.
Though the lads had to give an extra year to some of the Cordal players they were not daunted in any way by the task in hand.
Cordal started the better but our lads gradually fought back and at half time it was Cordal who led by a single point.
The second half followed the pattern of the first with Cordal getting in for some early scores. Our lads never gave up and the result was in doubt right until the final whistle but it was the Cordal boys who were celebrating at the end on a final score of Cordal 4-13 Ballymac 5-7.
Final Game in Division 1B
On the following evening we took on Ardfert in our final game in Division 1B of the Central Region. Following victories over Austin Stacks, Miltown Castlemaine and Laune Rangers in the early Rounds the team knew a victory would see them top the table.
For our lads it was certainly a case of keeping the best till last as they gave an outstanding team performance to finish up comprehensive winners on a 5-16 to 2-4 scoreline.
Goal-keeper Tommy Palmer was outstanding throughout. Defenders: Michael Culloty, Padraic Heffernan, Luke McGill, Luke Horgan and Jack O Connor didn’t give an inch on the night. The foundation of victory was laid at mid field with Diarmuid Galvin and Sean Rice dominating throughout while forwards: Evan Boyle, Niall Collins, Michael Prendergast, Raymond Lowe and Aidan Horgan notched up the necessary scores to ensure victory. Substitutes: Cian McCarthy, Sam Mansfield and Javkaloav Orgonbagor all contributed positively on their introduction. Mention must also be made of team mentors: John Rice, Jack Culloty and Martin Lowe for their work with these lads during the year.
Faoi 10
The Academy took place last Sunday and we had a good turnout on a good morning for football. Our U-10 boys had another training session on the previous Thursday and are progressing well. We have a challenge match against Firies this Thursday night September 15th at 6.30 pm on the training pitch.
All players please arrive by 6.15 in club colours. We are competing in the Castleisland District U-10 Blitz in Cordal on Saturday at 10.30am.
All players please arrive in full kit by 10.15am. We will be entering two teams in the blitz. The Academy for our U-10 panel will not take place this Sunday morning, September 18th due to the blitz on Saturday.
Faoi 8 and Faoi 6
The Academy took place last Sunday for our U-8 panel. We had a good turnout on the day with the boys progressing well. U-6 Academy boys and girls had a good outing on Sunday morning and everyone had lots of fun learning their skills. Academy continues on Sunday on the main pitch so come along and bring your water and gum shield.
Cailini Faoi 16
Ballymac 1-8 Dingle /Castlegregory 2-7
On Sunday evening we took on Dingle /Castlegregory in Division 3 North Kerry League in Ballymac.
The visitors had competed in a division above us in the Co League but that gap wasn’t evident in this game. The Ballymac girls played some great football and were very unlucky not to win this game.
Though missing some U-14s who were playing also that evening we togged out 18 girls. We started brightly with Aisling O’Connell and Niamh Rahilly providing a good platform and supply from midfield.
New Additions
Aisling got our first two scores – one from a free. New additions, Maeve Pierce and Lucy Murphy were showing well at wing forward and corner forward respectively and both added a point a piece which put us up 0-4 to 0-1 after 20 minutes.
Dingle, through some positional changes, came more into the game and added two points to leave the minimum between the sides with a few minutes to half time.
Therese Keane at full forward then added a very good score to leave Ballymac up 5-3 at half time. It was a scoreline that didn’t do Ballymac justice as we had dominated possession in the first half The final pass often didn’t find the target and our accuracy could have been better too.
More Competitive
The second half was a lot more competitive and Dingle had the ball in the net within five minutes. We responded with a free from Aisling O’Connell.
Dingle gained the upper hand for the next 15 minutes and added three unanswered points to leave it 1-6 to 0-6 in their favour.
Leah O’Neill, Claire Kenny and Caoimhe Carroll defended bravely in this period. Dingle added another goal to leave them in a strong position heading for the final whistle.
A great last quarter from our girls was spearheaded by Aine Rice, Rachel Godley and Mary Healy. Robin’s kicks out were hitting the wings and finding our girls.Therese Keane kicked another score and Aine Rice added 1-1 to leave the score 1-8 to 2-6 with a minute to go.
Reason to be Hopeful
Dingle however had a point from a free to leave two between us at the end. Though disappointed to lose the girls and management were very happy with the football that was played and the efforts made by all during the game. Maeve Pierce and Lucy Murphy’s display was very encouraging and gives us reason to be hopeful for future games.
We were to play Kerins O Rahilly’s this weekend however they have conceded to us , which leaves us facing Duagh again in the League Shield final venue and time still to be confirmed
Siobhan Cotter Blitz
The Annual Siobhan Cotter Blitz will take place in Churchill on Sunday, October 9th 2016. This Blitz will see our U-7, U-8, U-9 and U-10 panels playing on the day.
Best of luck to all the boys participating. Details of the blitz will be sent on by the co-ordinators.
Handball
Well done to Daire Keane on winning the Munster U-16 semi-final 21-2 and 21-5. the final is on this weekend venue to be decided.
Greyhound Derby Final
Best wishes to the Dowling family as they take their dog Ballymac Matt to Shelbourne Park on Saturday evening for the Greyhound Derby Final.
Indeed with a bit of luck a second dog from the parish could be joining him in the final however the Metmeinthehalfway Syndicate greyhound College Paradise was narrowly pipped for a place in the final in the semi final on Saturday.
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