FAOI 16
BALLYMAC 5-13 GLENFLESK 5-11
Following an excellent training session with senior manager Steven o’ Brien we were hopeful of continuing our good start to the county league against Glenfesk at home. We got off to a good start with points from Dara Reagan, Josh, and Dara Keane inside the first five minutes. However Glenflesk soon took over and mid-way through the first half we were 2-5 to 0-3 behind. However we responded with a well worked move involving Tadgh Brick and ML. Hoare which was finished to the net by Keelan. The visitors got 2 more points while ML Hoare and Dara Reagan pointed for us. Barry Lyons found Josh with a free and he headed goal ward before laying off to Dara Keane who scored a goal from close range. Glenflesk responded by scoring two goals inside two minutes, while Keelan and Dara Reagan pointed for us to leave us to leave the half time score 2-7 to 4-7.
Positional changes and substitutions were made at half time which improved our situation. Eoin O’Malley and Dara Reagan pointed for us with Glenflesk also getting two points. We responded well when Keelan was on hand to flick the ball to the net from close range. David Rodgers was introduced and weaved his way through for a goal almost immediately to tie the scores. Josh scored a further point for us but our opponents went up field and scored 1-1 .However Davy Rodgers was subsequently fouled in the square and Keelan converted the penalty to again tie the scores. Dara Keane and ML Hoare pointed for us with Glenflesk also pointing. With time running out Josh pointed to secure another hard earned victory. A really competitive game played in Great Spirit. Our next outing is away to Spa in mid July.
FAOI 12
Blue Team
Ballymac 0-09 Kenmare 3-12
Last Sunday evening we entertained Kenmare in the final round of County League. With a number of players unavailable, and after our great win the day before in Newmarket blitz the lads put in a great nights work. The U12’s take a break now for a few weeks before the Central Region starts. Great credit must go to this panel of lads & coaches for the huge effort they put in winning Div3 and completing very well in Div1 of the County League. Well done lads.
Gold Team
Ballymac 3-15 Kenmare 3-03
The Ballymac U12 gold team won division 1B in fine style on home soil last Sunday evening, From the outset our forwards ripped through Kenmare with scores coming from James Kenny, Gary Lynch and Mark o’Connor. Andy Rodgers controlled midfield from the
start to finish and set up score after score. What can we say about our backs, from the moment the whistle went they hounded the Kenmare forwards and didn’t give them an inch of space, Luke O’Connell, Jamie Sugrue, Eoin Creedon and Darragh Cassidy were outstanding, Half way through the first half we introduced our bench and the boys did everything that was asked off them. Oisin Shanahan, Luke Mc’Caffrey and Jack Mc’Elligott fought for every ball. Mossie Brennan took over in goals for the missing Kieran Slattery and he didn’t put a foot wrong. Throughout the second half our other two forwards got in on the act with fine score from the two Adam’s Walker & Wharton. All in all this has been an outstanding season for the boys as they finished both phase 1&2 unbeaten and won both division 1&3. Really well done to all the players on a fantastic season.
Diarmuid O’ Brien Memorial Football Blitz:
Last Saturday we travelled to Newmarket to take part in the Annual Diarmuid o’ Brien memorial football blitz. We were placed in group one along with Dromtarriffe, Newmarket, & Sliabh Luachra Gael’s. First up was Sliabh Luachra followed by Dromtarriffe & Newmarket. We had comfortable victories in all three games and conceded only three points in total and topped the group. Currow came through group two with wins over Firies, St. Peters & Croke Rovers. The final pairing was Ballymac v Currow, and what a final it turned out to be. From the throw in both teams got down to business and with Ballymac settling quicker we went into a four by lead. Currow pulled back to draw level before we took the lead again to go in at the break two points up. Both teams came out for the second half all guns blazing and what a ding dong half we had with the teams been level on five occasions in this half. With one minute to go we had a four point lead but with Currow throwing everything at us they scored a goal in the first minute of injury time. With three more minutes of injury time to play the momentum had switched to Currow who put us under severe pressure. However through some last ditch defending and great goalkeeping we held out for a one point win. The final score was Ballymac 3-06 Currow 3-05.
There was great scenes of joy after from the Ballymac players and management as it has been six years since we last won this competition. Great credit must go to our players with their never say die attitude and their determination to succeed. In goals on the day was Adam O Keefe, backs were Cathal Culloty, Luke O’ Connell, Darragh Sweeney and James Bailey. In midfield we had Thomas O’ Connor, Sean & Tim Pollman Dammen. Up front we had Andy Rogers, Denis Brosnan, Bryan Godley, Seán Horan & Adam Joy.
Great credit must go to Tim Pollman Dammen who was presented with the man of the match award after his excellent performance in the final.
Afterwards captain James Bailey accepted the Diarmuid O’ Brien memorial trophy on behalf of his team mates & great credit must go to James on the wonderful speech he gave in which he thanked the O’ Brien family, Newmarket GAA Club for a wonderful tournament, his team mates, Currow for a brilliant game in the final the coaches of Jack Culloty, Liam Sweeney, Liam Joy, Declan O Connell & Jer Lynch. Great achievement and well done to all.
FAOI 10
The U10 squad travelled to Churchill for a Blitz on Sunday. Enjoyable games were had by all and many thanks to Churchill for hosting the event in their magnificient new pitch which is a credit to them. No academy training training next Sunday on account of the Munster Final. Those to impress on the day were William O Donoghue, Alex Riordan, Ben Sharpe, Keelan Lynch and Evan O Brien.
FAOI 8
The academy took place on Sunday morning with a great turnout on a lovely morning. Best on the day were Kieran O’Connell, Luke Silles, Cian Harris and Eoin Joy. No academy next Sunday as the Munster Senior Final between Kerry and Cork takes place in Killarney.