Turas go PáircUíChaoimh, Corcaigh
Ballymacelligott GAA CoistenanÓg are thrilled to have been invited to take part in the ComhairlenaMumhan Activity Day in PaircUíChaoimh on Tuesday July 26th. This is an informal blitz with 20 different clubs from all over Munster participating in the competition. Ballymac U-12s are included in a group of four, namely, Legion, Mountcollins and ClonmelÓg. Our team play all three clubs in the afternoon and then get a tour of the stadium. It should be a wonderful day out for the youngsters and we plan to make the most of it. It is a 11-a-side team game but we hope to bring up as many players as possible and give everybody a run-out in the Rebel’s back-yard ! We will organise transport to Cork and make a day out of it and perhaps we may have time to visit some other attractions in Cork. Further details to follow!
VHI Cúl Camps
The GAA Cúl Camps will run again at Ballymac GAA club this coming summer from Monday Aug 1st to Fri Aug 5th and we are encouraging all juveniles aged between 7 and 14 years of age to sign up to the Cúl Camps. After very successful football camps over the past two years, we are hoping that as many youngsters as possible will attend again this year. You can register on line at www.gaa.ie or you can complete an application form and send it with the appropriate fee to County Co-ordinator, Dónal Daly at Austin Stacks Park,Tralee
Faoi 16
County League Rd 2 Result: Ballymac 2-09 Annascaul 2-08 Played in Ballymac on Friday evening last our U-16s made it two wins out of two with a stirring fightback to overcome our West Kerry rivals by the minimum on a fabulous evening for football. Again having to line out without team regulars Neil Sullivan, Chris Rogers, Gerard Browne and Jonathan Brick we faced an uphill battle to contain a confident and skilful Annascaul team. Despite this we began in whirlwind fashion with two goals inside the opening three minutes, one from MossieLeen and a “cracker” from Scott O Brien. Annascaul replied with three points of their own before Danny Pierce, playing at fullforward pointed with the fist. However, Annascaul began to penetrate our defence and inevitably managed to yield two quick goals of their own leaving us trailing by three points at half-time. Chris Leen scored some well taken points during the opening half hour. Annascaul extended their lead to four immediately after the restart and it looked like curtains for a beleaguered looking Ballymac side. However, a few positional switches began to make a difference with Jack O Shea being brought out to half back which gave him more freedom to attack. Jack Scanlon was placed at the edge of the square and Sean Doyle was placed at wing back.Eoin Lyons filled in at full back and gave an exhibition of football from the rearguard. The introduction of MicheálReidy and Jerdie O Shea gave the home side more impetus and eventually Ballymac began to hold sway at mid-field. With five minutes remaining Ballymac still trailed by three but JackO and Moss began to pile forward and eventually without panicking pointed to bring Ballymac level. In the dying seconds when a draw looked likely Vincent Horan off-loaded to MossieLeen and he in turn landed the winning score, to the delight of the home following. An unlikely win pulled out of the fire which places Ballymac on top of the County League after two rounds of games. The Blue n Gold now have a two week break with County development squads in action this Wed July 13th and we have a bye on Wed July 20th so our next outing in the County League is Wed July 27th with an away fixture against Ballyheigue. Throw-in time in Ballyheigue is 7 30pm. Training continues as usual this and next week. Foireann: Stephen Bermingham, Aaron Dunne, Jack O shea, Eoin Lyons, Patrick O Connor, Dylan Goggin, Sean Savage, Scott O Brien, Moss Leen, Chris Leen, Jack Scanlon, Vincent Horan, Sean Doyle, Danny Pierce, CianLonergan. Subs: MicheálReidy, Robert Dowd, Max O Brien, Jerdie O Shea,
Faoi 14
Rd 2 of the Central Board region took place this Tuesday July 12th with a home game against Laune Rangers. Result of game was not at hand at time of going to press so a report will be in next week’s notes. And this coming Sunday morning, July 17th at 12noon we play John Mitchels at home in Rd 3. All players are to be present 30 minutes before throw-in. Team management will inform players via text if there is any change.
Faoi 12
Our U-12s headed for Newmarket last Saturday to participate in the annual Diarmuid O Brien Memorial tournament and by all accounts all had a very enjoyable day out. An early departure from Ballymac did not faze our lads at all despite the sleepy eyes of some. Having been victorious in the competition last year we set out our stall to do our level best to retain the trophy. In a meticulously run competition our lads faced Kiskeam in round 1 and duly overcame the Cork outfit with competent displays from Liam O Brien, Michael Hoare, Daniel Goggin and Joshua O Keeffe. Rd 2 saw us play another Cork team, Droumtarriff and despite a brave effort from the opposition Ballymac emerged victorious and Eddie Rogers, KeelanBrosnan, Darragh Regan and Barry Lyons to the fore. A must win game against Scartaglin would have seen Ballymac through to the final and the East Kerry side put it up to us and we had to dig deep to eek out a victory against Scart. In this game, Tadhg Brick, Cillian Gallagher, David Rogers and Kieran Coggin stood up to the mark and brought the game to Scart. This victory enabled Ballymac to qualify for the final against near neighbours Firies and what a final it turned out to be. The scores were tied after normal time with Brian Lonergan andCathal Dunne standing out in a fiercely contested match. Incredibly after 10 minutes of extra time the sides still could not be separated and again after a second spell of extra time both sides remained level. In an unprecedented situation the referee decided to play a third bout of extra time and unbelievably scores remained tied. All players from both sides were out on their feet at this stage, understandably so and this led to a dreaded shootout of 45s. After 5 players from each team had taken their 45s it was still level so it went to sudden death with Firies just edging it with their final kick. Never before were scenes of joy and desperation witnessed at a Juvenile game with our lads gutted at the end. A cruel way to end the day but great credit to Firies for winning the tournament. In an unusual game, it is strange to see that the final had more extra time than normal time but there always has to be a winner and a loser. All our team, both mentors and players were gracious in defeat and none begrudged Firies their moment of glory. BallymacCoistenanÓg are all proud of the efforts made by each and every one on the day and we would also like to thank Brian O Brien and Newmarket CLG for their welcome and hospitality last Saturday. The competition was first class and it was run very efficiently indeed. MíleBuíochasarís. Thanks also to Aidan, Tony, Fiona, Liam, Maura and parents for supporting and accompanying the lads to Newmarket. Mar a deir an seanfhocal” Beidhláeileag an bPaorach “
And, Monday evening last, July 11 we travelled to play Keel in the penultimate round of the Central Board region. Having already accounted for Churchill and Milltown/Castlemaine in the previous two rounds, hopes were high to make it three in a row. Report of this game in next weeks notes.
Annual John Mitchels U-8 and U-10 Blitz.
Ballymac CLG are once again honoured to be invited to participate in the Mitchels blitz this coming Saturday July 16th. In one of the best organised competitions in the county it is a privilege to partake and we are looking forward to the day. The day commences at 10 am sharp and our U-8 selected panel and our U-10s are requested to be in John Mitchels this Saturday at 10 am sharp. Bring a change of gear and appropriate clothing for the day. Also, bring a packed healthy lunch and drink and lets hope for good weather on the day !Bainigísult as nacluichí !
Juvenile Training
This Sunday July 17th U-6 and Girls training will take place as usual at 11 am in the Training field. The U-8s and U-10s will have a rest day due to the blitz the previous day.