On bank holiday Monday, Ballygarry House was a hive of activity as the annual Ballymac GAA Club Coiste Na nOg Awards evening took place.
Many thanks to Kerry player Donnacha Walsh and Ballymac’s own county minors players Tomás O’Connor and Micheál Reidy who were on hand to present medals and trophies to the boys and girls from U6 to U16. Our U14 Kerry Ladies footballer Ashling O’Connor was also presented to the crowd on the evening. In summary 2016 was a very successful year for the Club with numerous trophies being won by the various teams. Many thanks to players, mentors and parents for their contribution to a most successful year. A special mention must go to Chairman, Secretary, and PRO of both boys and girl’s sections, John Rice, Dave Slattery, Michael Crossan, Donal Rahilly and Anthony Curran. Roll on 2017!
Lotto at O Riada’s
The lotto was held in O Riadas on Monday 31st October for a a jackpot of €5,300. Numbers drawn were 6,11,17,19. There was no jackpot winner. Lucky Dips: 1. Zelda Boyle, Arabella; 2. David Long, Kielduff; 3. Stephen O Brien, Rathanny; 4. Kate and David c/o Geoff Riordan; 5. Mick O’Connell, Cordal; Sellers Prize : Geoff Riordan.
The lotto now stands at €5,400 and can be played atwww.ballymacgaa.com.
Seniors
Our Senior Team travel to Strand Road on Sunday next to play Kerins O Rahillys in the Final of the Coiste Tra Li Senior Championship. This game is due to throw in at 2.00pm. Please keep an eye of Facebook and Twitter for any changes to this fixture.
Minors: Ballymac 4—16 Castleisland Desmonds 1—8
The Central Region competition eventually resumed with a home semi-final against Desmonds last Sunday. Despite playing into a crisp autumn breeze Ballymac were 9 points up after 15 minutes and 13 ahead at the break.
Daire Keane, Keelan Brosnan, and Tomas O Connor kicked our first 3 points. Keelan passed to Dara Reagan who worked his way through for a goal. Immediately Daire Keane weaved through for our second goal. Twice in succession Micheal Reidy won the kickout soloed through and pointed. Gary Horan drove forward out of defence passed to Keelan who again found the net. Dara Reagan and Max O Brien got the final two points of the half to see us lead 3—7 to 0—3 at the break. Desmonds pointed straight from the restart, while James McDonnell,(2) Dara Reagan,(2) and Daire Keane all pointed for us. Micheal Reidy pointed for us while Desmonds got their only goal of the game.D Reagan again pointed , Desmonds adding two more points. Daire Keane pointed for us and minutes later Tomas and Max combined to put the same player through for a goal.Tomas got our final point and Desmonds got two late scores.
Ballymac GAA Club Quiz
Ballymac GAA Club are holding a fund raising table quiz in the Halfway Bar on Saturday November 19th. A table of four will cost €40. The quiz will begin at 8.30pm. Great prizes will be on offer on the night with plenty of craic assured after the quiz. Please come and support.
Faoi 15
Our U15 team contested the Coiste Tra Li Championship Shield Final last Sunday morning in Ballymac. Our opponents on the day were St. Pats. Unfortunately, on the day we were beaten on a score line of Ballymac 1-09 to St. Pats 2-14.
Faoi 13
Ballymac U13 boys played Austin Stacks in the Coiste Tra Li Championship Final last Friday evening in Caherslee. The match was a closely contested affair and could have gone either way on the night. However, Austin Stacks went on to win the game on a score line of 1-11 to 1-09. Well done to the team and the mentors.
Year Review U-6 and U-8 Boys
Faoi 6
2016’s under 6 Academy began in the Community Hall for the early months of the year. The girls joined the boys in the hall so large numbers attended every Sunday morning, where they participated in fun filled games and exercises that helped to develop their movement and skills.
As the weather improved the Academy was moved to the main pitch. Here each boy was given a ball at the beginning of the training session to practice the basic skills. The boys carried out their drills with great enthusiasm and with every passing week improvement was in evidence. Their commitment was never in question and even on the wettest Sundays enough boys showed up to carry out a session.
With a pool of 36 boys, attendances invariably exceeded 20 players on any given Sunday.
Some of the panel will now move on to under 8’s while more young players will have their first taste of football at the academy in 2017.
Mentors: Andrew Scanlon, Francie Hobbart, John Creagh, Neilus O Connor, John Leen, Michael O Sullivan
Faoi 8
Our season kicked off with great expectation on the 8th March this year with a panel list of over 30 players.
We had a good mix of experienced U8 campaigners and the young guns coming up from U6s for their first taste of competitive football.
The Lads all got on well with each other from the onset and built up a great team spirit based on fun and football. The laughter and banter at the Academy every Sunday morning made them a pleasure to mentor.
The competitive season got underway with the Castleisland District Go games where the lads put in great effort and showed great promise against Currow, Desmonds, Scartaglin and Cordal. After that we had challenge matches against Na Gael, Stacks, Fossa and john Mitchels.
Our older boys put in a mighty performance at the John Mitchels blitz winning all but one game. Our competitive season ended at the Siobhan Cotter blitz with some fantastic football being played.
Ex-Kerry footballer Micheál Quirke joined us for a training session on the new pitch on one very wet Sunday morning and was very impressed with our numbers and skill levels.
Mentors: Rob Harris, Dave Slattery, Eddie Lynch, Paddy o Brien, Ted McCarthy, Cathal Lehane.
Parish Bazaar on November 27th
Our Annual Bazaar will take place in St. Brendan’s Community Centre, Ballydwyer, on Sunday, November 27th November from 6pm until 10pm and on Monday 28th November from 7.30pm until 11pm. As in previous years your support for this very important social event and fundraiser would be greatly appreciated!
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