Seniors Hoping to Get Back on Track Against Moyvane
Our senior team travelled to Churchill on Sunday afternoon last for Round 2 Co. League game which was played in near perfect conditions. Ballymac started the better and were fully deserving of their 1 – 5 to 0 – 1 lead mid way through the first half with Vincent Horan 0 – 2, Jonathan Keane 0 – 2 and Shane O Reilly 0 – 1 pointing while wing back Luke Sweeney got forward to find the net. Ballymac continued to dominate and at half time were fully value for their 1 – 7 to 0 – 4 lead. Aidan Breen and Vincent Horan adding the extra scores. The lead was further extended with points from defenders Luke Sweeney and Mikey Leen and we seemed set for victory. However, in the complete turn around Churchill were to out score us 2 – 6 to 0 – 3 in the time remaining, their winning point coming at the last kick of the game. Final score Churchill 2 – 10 Ballymac 1 – 12. Our lads will be very disappointed to lose this game which they controlled for 40 minutes, they have a chance to get their season back on track on Saturday evening next when we host Moyvane at 6.30 pm. Please come and support the lads.
Team : P Laide, L Dunne, M Leen, T J Casey, C. Counihan, C Reynolds, L Sweeney, M Galvin, S Dowling, S O Reilly, J Keane, E Reidy, P McCarthy, A Breen, V Horan, Subs : C Leen
Minors Victory Over Desmonds Neighbours BALLYMAC 2-10 CASTLEISLAND DESMONDS 2-08
We are through to a County Final after this victory over local rivals Desmonds in Castleisland. An outstanding display by centre back Micháel Reidy and a fine contribution from our subs helped us to this narrow victory. Once more we got off to a poor start and were 2-03 to 0-01 down midway through the half. Darragh Regan was our only scorer. Robert O’Dowd and Darragh Regan combined and put Tomás O’Connor through for a goal to begin our revival. A fine block by James Mc Donnell led to a Liam O’Malley point. Micheal Hoare pointed from a pass by Tomás and Desmonds also pointed to leave the half time score Ballymac 1-03 Desmonds 2-04.
Josh O’Keeffe, Daire Keane and Tadhg Brick were introduced at half time and each helped turn the game in our favour. Desmonds pointed on the restart and Darragh Regan pointed from a free after Liam was fouled. Daire Keane somehow worked his way through a group of players and goaled. Desmonds again pointed and Darragh Regan pointed from a free. Desmonds got two more points and did not score after that. Micháel Reidy, Daire Keane and Liam O’Malley all pointed to tie the game with ten minutes remaining. With only a few minutes left Max O’Brien soloed from his own half took a return pass from Robert O’Dowd and pointed, an inspirational score from the captain. Micheal Hoare was fouled and Darragh Regan converted the free and Ballymac had won four games in a row. A fantastic win but plenty to work on before the final.
Team And Scorers: Barry Lyons, Kevin O Connor, Eddie Rogers, Max O Brien(0-1), Gary Horan, Micháel Reidy(0-1), Chris Lowe, Keelan Brosnan, David Long, Liam O Malley (0-2), Micheal Hoare(0-1), James Mc Donnell, Robert O Dowd, Darragh Regan(0-4), Tomás O Connor(1-0). Subs Josh O Keeffe, Daire Keane(1-1), Tadgh Brick, Ross Mansfield, Paddy O Donnell.
FAOI-14 County League Div 2A Ballymac 5-11 Ballyduff 0-04
After nine weeks of training the boys were well prepared for their first league game of the year. They started in great fashion and continued throughout the sixty minutes. Cian and Dylan in midfield gave us a great platform to build from and Dylan finished the game with a personal tally of 2-6. Our defence were on top and keeping Ballyduff to very few chances. Our forwards played with some great inter-play and recycled the ball until the best scoring opportunity appeared. A great start to the year and we hope they can keep it up. Our next game is away to Castlegregory.
Panel: Eoghan Kenny, James Bailey, Bryan Cassidy, Ciaran Brosnan, Adam Joy, Adam Kelly, Darragh Sweeney, Cian Godley 0-1, Darragh Broderick 1-1,Denis Brosnan, Jonathan Lowe 2-0, Dara Leen 0-2, Aidan o’ Brien 0-1,Dylan Dunne Moriarty 2-6, Sean Horan, Cathal Culloty, Bryan Godley, Thomas O’Connor
County League Div 2B
Padraig O’Sullivan captained the team on a historic evening for Ballymac. It being the first time the club has fielded a second team at U-14 county level. It also proved to be the first time most of the team played full pitch dimensions. The first ten minutes proved to be very competitive with both teams getting to grips with the full pitch
until Liam O’Connor settled the nerves with a well taken goal. Ballymac had most of the possession in the first half with Ryan McHugh and James Kenny having an outstanding half of football scoring one and two points respectively. Two goals from the home side and a well taken point from Garry Lynch left the teams level at half time on 2- to 1-4.
The second half started with the fitness and hunger of Ballymac proving to be the difference. In the middle of the pitch Donal Daly, Mark O’Connor, Oisin Shanahan and Manuel Sanchez Delgado stole the show! They gave the forwards the platform to shine and shine they did! An early goal from Liam O’Connor started the goal spree with two goals from Kieran Slattery- playing outfield for the first time in two years- and a goal apiece from James Kenny, Gary Lynch, Mark O’Connor and Donal Daly putting Ballymac well ahead going into the final ten minutes. Beaufort attempted to mount a comeback scoring four goals but were denied the comeback thanks to an excellent save from goalkeeper Adam O’Keeffe and tremendous displays in the backs by Luke O’Connell, Mossie Brennan and Jamie Sugrue to leave the final score Beaufort 6-2 Ballymac B 8-5.
This performance was a credit to the team with the win being dedicated to Adam Wharton who turned up but was unable to play through sickness on the night..
FAOI 12 Blue Team
Ballymac Blue team travelled to Dr. Crokes for their first match in the U12 County League. Despite horrendous weather conditions the match proved to be a great game of football. Ballymac played well but goals win games and Dr Crokes scored goals at crucial periods in the game to go into a commanding lead mid-way through the second half. Great credit must be given to the players for not lying down. They kept bringing the fight to Dr.Crokes and pulled the game back to three points with five minutes to go. A late goal by the home team however effectively finished the game on a score line of Dr.Crokes 5-6 Ballymac 2-9
Gold Team
The under 11 gold team were unfortunately beaten in a close game against Dr. Crokes in Killarney on Sunday night. Having played brilliantly for most of the game they conceded two late goals which proved costly. The experience at this level will bring the team on. Well done to the team on their performance. Final Score: Ballymac 3-9 Crokes 5-7
FAOI 10
Ballymac participated in the annual County U10 Go Games Blitz in splendid weather conditions at the John Mitchels Complex last Thur 31st March. Being restricted to 9 a side Ballymac fielded a team from the oldest age group of players, playing 3 games within the hour. We had very good games against a very classy Listowel Emmets side, quickly followed by the natural footballers from An Ghaeltacht and to finish the day a local derby with Kerins O’Rahillys. Ballymac competed extremely well in all games and were never out played in what were 3 fantastic games with a high level of skill and sportsmanship on display. Many thanks to the mentors Dave Long, Niall Gilroy and Tony Silles for their time on the day. The Ballymac Academy continued last Sunday the 3rd of April and we had a great turnout on the day.
FAOI 8
The Ballymac Academy continued last Sunday the 3rd of April and we had a good turnout on the day.
FAOI 6
Academy U6 Boys and Girls had a big turn out and had lots of fun with some new game’s and learning their skills. Academy continues in the Hall next Sunday the 10th . Keep practising using gum shields as you will need them for the pitch in a few weeks time.
CAILINI FAOI 8/10
Our U-8 and 10 girls continued their training on Sunday morning last in the Academy where all girls are continuing to improve with every passing week.
Club Membership
Thanks to everyone who recently paid their membership fee for the year 2016. Your support for the club is genuinely appreciated. Your membership entitles you to a say in the running of our club especially at our AGM later in the year. Your membership allows you to put forward ideas on how our sports are organised and ran on both a club and county level.
Expenses for running a club are many including insurance for each team within the club, jersey’s, equipment, subscription to our county board and various regional boards, medical expenses, travel expenses, pitch maintenance and development to name but a few.
Your membership really helps in the offset of these expenses and Míle Buíochas to everyone who has paid to date.
Membership of our club is always open and this can be paid online through our website or by contacting any officer within the club. Your support for Ballymac GAA helps the club to allow all our players to participate in as many of our games as possible. Míle Buíochas do Chách !!
BWILDERED
As the date of Bwildered the 30th April moves ever closer those hoping to participate are reminded that an early bird fee of €35 per person or a group of 4 for €120 is available until 11th April. Please check website and facebook for full details.
DAVID CLIFFORD
Congratulations to St. Brendan’s Killarney on their great victory on the Hogan Cup final on Saturday last. A special mention must go to man of the match David Clifford who has strong Ballymac connections. His mother Ellen is a member of the O’Shea family from Gortatlea many of whom have given sterling service to the Ballymac Club. While on his father Dermot’s side his cousins Tadhg, Brian and Eoghan Sugrue also played for many years on Ballymac teams. Well done to David on what will hopefully be the first of many big days in Croke Park for him.
