The U12 girls have two games this week, first up we play Cromane in Ballymac on Tuesday 26th June at 7pm
Ballymac are then away to Spa Killarney on Thursday 28th June at 7pm. All players to be there for 6.30pm
Faoi 8
On Saturday morning last we travelled to Cordal for Leg 3 of the Castleisland Blitz Series and on a damp and dreary day we again managed to field two 11 aside teams which was wonderful to see. Both teams played two games each with a 100% winning record once again. Despite the poor weather conditions, our lads put it tremendous work over the four games with each and every player adapting well and playing the game in the right spirit. Those to shine were Jack O Connor, Paraic Heffernan, Peter Stein, Tommy Palmer, Oisin Shanahan and Kieran Slattery. Great scores also came from the boot of Mark O Connor, Maurice O Connell, Andy Rogers, Darragh Sweeney, converted forward Adam Wharton and Donal Daly. Others to impress were Diarmuid Galvin, Evan Boyle, Niall Collins, James Kenny, Jared O Briain, Garry Lynch, Sean Rice, Eoin Creedon and Eoin Kenny. Unfortunately, at an early stage, Mossie Brennan was forced off the field of play with a hand injury and hopefully he will be able to return playing football sooner rather than later. Speedy recovery, Mossie! This Wednesday evening, June 27th we head to Scartaglin for the final leg of the series. Players are asked to be in attendance in Scartaglin at 6 45pm. See ye all there !
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 reached the final last year and victorious in the competition the previous year we set out our stall to do our level best to regain the trophy. In a meticulously run competition our lads faced St. Peters from Cork in round 1 and just came up short by the minimum on a scoreline of 2-03 to 2-04 with Tadhg Brick, Liam O Brien, David Rogers and Darragh Broderick to the fore. Rd 2 saw us play Dromtarriff from Cork and after a keenly contested game, finished all square with our Cork opponents with Cillian Gallagher, Joshua O Keeffe and Daire Keane playing well. We played Currow in Rd 3 and giving every member of the panel valuable game time, we lost out on a score 1-02 to 2-03. Those players to impress in this game were Brian Cassidy, James McDonnell and Eoin Culloty Despite not reaching the final this year all our players gave it 100% and they all enjoyed the experience. Foireann : Barry Lyons, Cathal Dunne, Tadhg Brick, Joshua O Keeffe, Daire Keane, David Rogers, Kieran Coggin, Cillian Gallagher, James Carmody, Liam O Brien, James Mc Donnell, Darragh Broderick, Cian Godley, Eoin Culloty, Eoghan Leahy, Brian Cassidy. Results of County League Phase 2 Rd 5: Team Blue : 6-05 Spa 3-08 : Daire Keane, Tadhg Brick, Barry Lyons and Ciarán Nolan Tighe all played well for Ballymac in their final League game. Team Gold : 3-11 Spa 2-01. Rachel Godley, Diarmuid Lynch, David Rogers and Kieran Coggins impressed for the Gold team on their final outing of the County League. .
Faoi 14
We opened our Castleisland District U-14 League campaign with a game against Currow in Ballymac last Monday evening. Result and Report in next week’s notes. We also hope to play An Ghaeltacht in Gallarus in Rd 2 of the Central Region League this coming weekend. Date and time to be confirmed.
Faoi 16
Rd 1 of the U-16 County League took place in Ballymac last Wednesday evening with a home tie against Fossa. Despite losing on a scoreline of 2-11 to 6-10, there were plenty signs of optimism from the team. Having not played a competitive game in almost two months, the display was somewhat flat, particularly in the second half and the management team will certainly address these shortcomings. Those to impress on the night were Jack O Shea, Morgan Quirke, Cian Lonergan and Jonathan Brick. With the appointed referee not in attendance, a fact which is not acceptable at this level, it must be said that the standard of refereeing on the night left an awful lot to be desired as some of the decisions made at times were inconsistent and somewhat baffling. Rd 2 continues this Wed evening June 25th with a home tie once again v Gneeveguilla. Throw-in time is 7 30pm. Then next Wed July 4th we face the long trip south to take on Templenoe/Tousist with a 7 30pm start time again.
Club Merchandise
Club gear which includes Jerseys, shorts, socks, kit-bags, hoodies etc can be obtained at the Club shop every Sunday morning from 11am to 12 15pm. One can also avail of a Club voucher which can be given as the ideal gift. This voucher can then be used to purchase club gear at any time. We encourage all players to wear the club colours at the academy but this is not essential. However, when representing the club in any game we hope that all players will wear the appropriate gear.
Kellogs Cúl Camps 2012
The GAA Cúl Camps will run again at Ballymac GAA club this coming summer from Monday July 30th to Fri Aug 3rd and we are encouraging all juveniles aged between 6 and 14 years of age to sign up to the Cúl Camps. After very successful football camps over the past three years, we are hoping that as many youngsters as possible will attend again this year. You can register on line at www.gaa.ie/kellogsculcamps 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. Cost for first child is €55. It is €45 for second child of same family and €40 for third child of the same family.
Annual John Mitchels U-8 and U-10 Blitz.
Ballymac CLG Coiste na nÓg are once again honoured to be invited to participate in the John Mitchels Football blitz this on Saturday July 7th. In one of the best organised competitions in the county it is a privilege to partake and we are very much 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 let’s hope for good weather on the day! Bainigí sult as na cluichí !
Eric Mason Memorial Tournament
Saturday July 7th has been ear-marked for the inaugural Eric Mason Memorial Tournament. It is hoped to get proceedings under way at 10 am. Details are being finalised as I write but it is envisaged to stage an U-16 Blitz with 6 teams (2 groups of 3 ) throughout the day with all teams playing a minimum of two games. We have confirmed all six teams namely, Newmarket from Cork, Gneeveguilla, Knock/Brosna, St. Pats, Milltown/Castlemaine and Ballymacelligott. Eric, who sadly passed away at Easter time last year had been an active member and player with Ballymac Coiste na nÓg since he first joined the club at U-8 level. His untimely passing has saddened us all and in consultation with Eric’s family the Club decided to organise this U-16 Tournament in memory of Eric. We hope for a successful day on July 7th. No doubt, Eric will be smiling down upon us that day!