The fourth and final leg of the Castleisland District U-8 Blitz took place in Scartaglin on Wednesday evening last with 20 of our youngsters in attendance once again. This enabled us to field two teams which allowed for everybody full match time in all four games. All players acquitted themselves very well with Padraic Heffernan, Oisín Shanahan, Tommy Palmer, Peter Stein and Sean Rice to the fore on a night that we played CastleislandDesmonds, Scartaglin and Currow. It has been a most enjoyable and invaluable series of games over the last four weeks or so and noticeable progress has been made by all who have attended the series.
Last Sunday morning we travelled into Connolly Park to take on Austin Stacks and again all the players displayed their wonderful footballing skills in the presence of a large crowd in attendance. Our U-7s had a fierce tussle with the Rockies with the end to end action all the way. Jack O Connor was a revelation in the backline for Ballymac as was Tommy Palmer, Michael Prendergast, Evan Boyle and Sean Rice. Diarmuid Galvin, Niall Collins, Luke and Aidan Horgan and Padraic Heffernan all played their part in a very impressive display against the Stacks. Our U-8s were also in action in Connolly Park last Sunday with Adam Wharton, Mark O Connor and Peter Stein playing well in defence. Darragh Sweeney proved a very effective goalkeeper on the morning. Donal Daly and Andy Rogers held sway in mid-field and in attack James Kenny, Garry Lynch, EoinCreedon kicked some fine scores. It was a great workout in preparation for the John Mitchels Blitz this coming Saturday
Faoi 10
On Sunday last we travelled to Austin Stacks club in Connolly Park, Tralee. Despite a wet pitch and greasy ball our lads performed very well and all gave a great account of themselves. The practice and training the boys are doing is really starting to show in these challenge games. The support play and passing despite the bad weather was excellent. Adam O Keeffe provided some great kick outs whilst in defence Aidan O Brien, Ryan McHugh, Eoin Kenny and Adam Joy were solid. Adam went off injured early in game and we wish him a speedy recovery. In midfield Ciaran Brosnan and Tim Pollman Damann did trojan work and put their Stacks counterparts under huge pressure. Ciaran took some great points and a wonderful volley goal just on half time.In the forward line Padraig O Sullivan, Thomas O Connor and James Bailey put in a great shift assisted ably by Adam Kelly and Denis Brosnan. In the second half Jonathan Lowe stormed into the game from midfield and Sean PollmanDamann broke up plenty of Stacks attacks. Well done to all on a great display.
Faoi 13
County League U-13 Rd 1 Result :Ardfert 0-14Ballymac 4-13. Our opening game of the County League took place last Sunday evening with a hard fought victory over Ardfert. Second half goals from KealanBrosnan (2), David Rogers and Eoin O Malley saw Ballymac run out winners in a highly competitive game. It was an impressive display from Ballymac with Liam O Malley, Joshua O Keeffe, Brian Lonergan and Darragh Regan all playing to their potential. A positive start to the League campaign and this coming Sunday July 8thBallymac play Kilcummin in Rd 2. Throw-in time in Ballymacelligott is 7 pm
Faoi 14
Castleisland District League U-14 Rd 1 Result :Ballymac 3-07 Currow 1-13. In what turned out to be a pulsating encounter between two outstanding teams, Ballymac came from behind at half-time to level the match at the end against a talented Currow side. In truth, Currow were the better side for much of the first half with corner forward J McMahon a constant threat to our full-back line, but we kept battling in a game that was played at a frantic pace. MicheálReidy, Max O Brien, KeelanBrosnan and Eddie Rogers were more than a match for their immediate opponents and with wing-forward Darragh Regan scoring our opening goal on 20 minutes it allowed Ballymac to keep pace with Currow. Just before half-time Gary Horan placed an inch perfect pass into Michael Hoare who had stolen inside the cover of the Currow fullback line and he duly dispatched the ball into the back of the net to reduce the deficit to three points at half-time. Ballymac upped their performance in the second period with some brilliant passages of play and some outstanding point taking from Jerdie O Shea, Paddy O Donnell and Tomás O Connor. KealanBrosnan was switched into the forward line and this paid dividends as he became an immediate target man for Ballymac. MichealReidy scored Ballymac’s third goal midway through the second half to put the Blue ‘n Gold ahead for the very first time only for Currow to counter and bring the game back to parity. It was ebb and flow at this stage with the game at a frenetic pace and Ballymac defended stoutly with David Long, Eoin and Liam O Malley and goalkeeper Brian Lonergan repelling the Currow attacks. All players were out on their feet at the final whistle after a compelling game, in which neither side deserved to lose. All players played their part, including Brian O Connor, Daire Keane and Cillian Gallagher. And on Tuesday July 3rd we travelled to Gallarus in CorcaDhuibhne to play An Ghaeltacht in Rd 2 of the Central League. Result and Report in next weeks notes
Faoi 16
County League U-16 Rd 2 Result :Ballymac1-09 Gneeveguilla 3-09. An improved performance on the previous week’s game saw a more committed display from Ballymac against a physically strong East Kerry side. However, after a forgetful first half in which we scored only four points to Gneeveguilla’s 2-08, the management team made a few positional switches which gave more impetus to Ballymac’s play in the second period. Seán Savage was outstanding throughout the game with competent displays from Eoin Lyons, Tomás O Connor and Aaron Dunne. Jack O Shea and Christopher Leen also made vital contribution in a hugely impressive second half. After two initial defeats in the County League, Ballymac will now need to gain maximum points from their three remaining games to harbour any hopes of semi-final qualification. This Wednesday July 4th, we travel to play Templenoe/Tousist in Rd 3 and then we have a three week break from competition with Rd 4 taking place on Wednesday July 25th with an away tie to Annascaul. Training will continue in the meantime. Team mentors will notify players re. training times.
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.
KellogsCúl 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 CoistenanÓg are once again honoured to be invited to participate in the JohnMitchels Football blitz this coming 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 !Bainigísult as nacluichí !
Eric Mason Memorial Tournament
This U-16 Blitz is scheduled to take place this Saturday July 7th with a 10am start. Teams from Newmarket, Gneeveguilla, St. Pats, Milltown/Castlemaine and Knock/Brosna will join Ballymac in a 6 team tournament. We encourage as many people as possible to attend this inaugural tournament in memory of Eric Mason, a member of BallymacCoistenanÓg who passed away early last year.