Ballymac’s Courage and Grit the Key to U-16 Championship Win
Ballymac U16s played Ardfert on Monday last in the Division 3 Central District final. This took place in St.Pat’s GAA Club pitch in Blennerville at 7pm.
Report: Gerard Collins
The teams had met earlier in April and on that occasion Ardfert emerged victorious by eight points. Going into the final, Ballymac were the outsiders, but what a display of courage, grit and a never say die attitude they displayed on the night. Ardfert started the game in terrific form and had three points on the board in the first four minutes.
Ballymac’s only reply was a point from a free by Daire Keane. Ardfert responded with a point from a 45 by their goalkeeper Brian O’Regan.
Point from Play
Ballymac’s centre forward, David Rogers kicked a point from play. Two more points from play from David Godley and Daragh Courtney put four points between the sides with ten minutes remaining in the first half.
Ballymac had now settled and reduced the margin to two points with scores coming from David Rogers and Daire Keane. Ballymac had only one more point in the first half while Ardfert went on to kick three more scores.
This left the half time score at Ballymac 0-05 Ardfert 0-09. This score was helped by the fact that Brian Lonergan had an excellent save from an Ardfert penalty in the 12th minute. Ballymac made a few positional switches at the start of the second half and these proved to be decisive. Josh O’Keeffe scored a goal in the third minute which was followed almost immediately by points from Man of the Match, Daire Keane and captain Barry Lyons. Keane put Ballymac two points ahead with a pointed free in the 10th minute.
Two scores from Ardfert’s corner forward Nathan Driscoll left the sides level midway through the second half.
Exchanged points
Colm Healy and Daire Keane exchanged points. In the twentieth minute of the the half, Daire Keane pointed a free for Ballymac but this was cancelled out with a point from play by Nathan Driscoll.
This was to be Ardfert’s last score. Ballymac went on to score two more points, these coming from Cillian Gallagher and Daire Keane. The final score was Ballymac 1-11 to Ardfert 0-13. This was a very good team performance with all players playing outstandingly. Brian Lonergan was excellent in goals and and his penalty save in the first half proved to be crucial as it kept the team in touch when Ardfert were in control. All the backs: Eoin Culloty, Cathal Dunne, Kevin Lenihan, Brian Cassidy, Liam O’ Brien, Tadhg Brick and Daire Connor Chawke stuck to their task and worked hard to keep their clean sheet. Joshua O’Keeffe and James McDonnell had their hands full at midfield, but they really put it up to their much taller opposite numbers.
Worked Very Well
The forwards worked very well as a unit, their running off the ball and their support for the player in possession was excellent.
All forwards: Diarmuid Lynch, Dylan Dunne Moriarty, David Rogers, Cillian Gallagher, Darragh Lynch, Dylan Mc’Hugh, Dara Broderick, Barry Lyons and Daire Keane contributed to the scores. This was a much cherished victory for the team and great credit is due to the management team of: Stephen O’Brien, Derek O’Brien, Padraig Laide and Sean Brosnan for all the time and effort they have put in.
Minors
Best wishes to Micheal Reidy and Tomás O’Connor and their Kerry Minor team mates who travel to Miltown Malbay on this Wednesday, May 11th. to take on Clare in the Munster Minor Championship Semi Final. Micheal will line out at left full back while hopefully Tomás will see some action from the bench.
Faoi 14
Due to our pitch being out of action next week the U14 Division 2 Semi-final between Ballymac A and Na Gaeil will be played in Na Gaeil at 7pm next Tuesday the 10th of May.
County League Div 2B
Last Wednesday evening we played our division 10 U14 semi-final against Firies. We played very well on the evening and ran out winners on a score line of Ballymac B 3-17 Firies B 1-08. We will play Dr Crokes in the Final next Wednesday with the venue and time TBC. Well done to all the players.
Faoi 12
Congratulations to our U12 Boys Blue team for achieving a hard earned draw in Kilcummin on a scoreline of 5-14 to 5-14. Well done to our Boys U12 gold team on a very strong performance in winning 5-12 to 5-7 on the same evening.
Congratulations to both teams with the Blue team finishing in third place in Division 1A and the gold team in second place in Division 1B at the end of Phase 1. Roll on phase 2.
Faoi 10
Our U10’s had their first outing in the U10 Go Games this week in Castleisland last Tuesday evening at 7.00. We fielded three teams on the night and had very enjoyable games against Castleisland Desmonds, Currow, Cordal and Scartaglen. Many thanks to Castleisland Desmonds for hosting the event. Ballymac will host the next series of Go Games on Tuesday the 17th of May commencing at 7.00pm. The academy for our U10 panel continued last Sunday morning with a good turnout. Best on the day in the U10 group were Alex Riordan, Maurice Harrington, Lee Wharton, and William O’Donoghue. The next academy will take place next Sunday the 15th of May.
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 15th of May. The U8’s will have their first outing in the Go Games next week in Castleisland . Teams participating on the night will be Castleisland Desmonds, Currow, Cordal and Scartaglen.
Faoi 6
U6 Academy Boys & 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 lost out to Cromane on Tuesday evening last in the final game in the preliminary group of the U-12 Co. League. We now wait for our grouping in the second phase of the league.
Cailini Faoi 10
Our U-10 girls continue to improve with every week amongst those impressing on Sunday last were Rachel Griffin, Kate Collins, Ashling Bailey and Rose Brosnan.
U-14 Feile Competition
The John West Feile Peil na nÓg U-14 competition coming to Kerry this Summer on June 24th – 26th. Ballymac are entering three teams (two boys and one girls). The club will also host three teams: Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath; Boston – both boys teams and a girls team from Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Many families within the parish are providing accommodation for our visitors however, many more volunteers are required for various roles that need to be fulfilled over the weekend. Anyone who can give of their time to help please text Club Secretary Fionnan Fitzgerald on 087 98 60 441. Full details on all of the above can be found on club website at www.ballymacgaa.com/club-volunteers-required-for-feile
Cúl Camp 2016
The Cul Camp in Ballymacelligott this year will take place between the 25th of July and the 29th of July from 10.00am – 2.30pm daily. Bookings can be made at the following URL. www.gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps. Free Jersey, Training Top and Back Pack.
Eric Mason Memorial Blitz
The Eric Mason Memorial blitz will take place on Saturday the 28th of May. This year the format will be slightly different with it being an U14 competition in preparation for Feile. Any help on the day would be appreciated.
St Kieran’s
Best wishes to all Club players who are part of the St. Kieran’s Panel which play Feale Rangers in Round 1 of the Co. Senior Football Championship in Cordal on Sunday next at 2.30pm.
Piliates
Piliates will be held in Kielduff Community Centre on Monday nights at 7.30pm. For further details contact Joanne on 0876744334.
€2,800 Lotto On-Line
The lotto was held in Glenduff House, on Monday 2nd May 2016 for a jackpot of €2,700. Numbers drawn were 7,16,24,28. There was no winner.
Lucky Dips: 1. Paddy Dineen, c/o Tom Leen; 2. Joan O Reilly, Gortatlea; 3. Blake Leen, Chutehall; 4. Shane Dowling, c/o Halfway Bar; 5. Maurice Leen, Chutehall. Sellers Prize: Tom Leen. The lotto now stands at €2,800 and can be played at www.ballymacgaa.com
