On Bank Holiday Monday last, Ballygarry House was a hive of activity as the Annual Ballymac GAA Coiste Na nOg awards evening took place. Many thanks to Kerry Player Donnacha Walsh and Ballymac’s own County Minors Players Tomas O’Connor and Micheal 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!
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.
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.
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 Michael 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.