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 6 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 12
Both our U-12 squads had home fixtures against Asdee/Ballydonoghue in the penultimate round of the County League on Monday week last. Our “Gold” team had a tremendous outing and put their opponents to the sword with a competent display of open football. Players such as Christopher Lowe, Liam o Malley, Eoghan Leahy, Liam O Brien and Eoin Culloty played remarkably well, backed up with committed displays from David Rogers, James Carmody and Rachel Godley. This team under the stewardship of Aidan Dunne and Liam Nolan have certainly made great strides in progress in recent weeks and they improve week on week. Lets hope that this progress continues into the Central Board Region and Castleisland District League which commence in the near future. Our “Blue” team were unlucky to have been overcome by Asdee/Bally in a very high scoring encounter. Our play maker Daniel Goggin had to retire early from the game due to a nasty hand injury and this seemed to have upset the momentum that Ballymac had built up. However, we continued to bring the game to the opposition with Michael Hoare, Keelan Brosnan, Darragh Regan and Eddie Rogers leading by example. We just came up short in the end on a scoreline of 3-16 to 5-12. Our final games in the County League were played this Wednesday June 1st at home to Finuge. Lets hope for a positive conclusion to the County League. Report on both games in next weeks notes.
Faoi 16
Training has resumed for this age group in preparation for the County League which begins on Wednesday June 29th. It is essential that all members of the panel attend training on a regular basis. Team management are of course aware that some players have exam commitments within the next couple of weeks but do ask that players attend training at least once a week if at all possible.
Faoi 14
Training continues for our U-14s also with the Castleisland District beginning next week and the Central Board region beginning on July 4th. Regular attendance is also essential. Please keep in contact with team mentors in relation to training times and dates. We would also like to congratulate the Castleisland District team who overcame St Brendans District in Rd 1 of the County Championship. The district was well represented by Ballymac players Jack and Jerdie O Shea, Chris Leen and Tomás O Connor, all of whom played outstandingly well on the night. Club mentor David Long is also part of the District Management team and they now look forward to a quarter final game which will be played on Wednesday June 8th. The Best of Luck to those involved.
Faoi 10
In a new initiative, our U-10s played a mini-game during the half time break of the Senior County League encounter between Ballymac and St. Senans on Sunday afternoon last. It was a great and enjoyable experience for the young lads and lasses who were able to display all their wonderful footballing skills to the large attendance. They also lined out in formation as our Seniors made their way onto the pitch just prior to the throw-in and Darragh Lynch was also chosen to be the Match Mascot for the day. He was a very proud lad as he stood for a photograph with match referee and the two team captains, Ballymacs Pádraig McCarthy and St Senans Breandán Whelan. Both our U-10s lined out for the mini-game as follows : Team Blue : Áine Rice, Darragh Lynch, Diarmuid Lynch, David Rogers, Jonathan Lowe, Darragh Broderick, Kyle O Connor, Darragh Brosnan, Ciarán Brosnan, Oscar Reidy Gilroy, Rachel Godley Team Gold : Michelle Lynch, Liam O Brien, Aidan O Brien, Eoghan Leahy, Brian Cassidy, Andy Rogers, Tomas Lynch, Eoin Culloty, Cian Godley, Eoghan Kenny, Kieran Coggin. Well done to all and thanks to Fiona, Mossie, Aidan, Ed, Willie, Johnny, Liam for all their help organising the event. A Míle Buíochas to parents who were so co-operative last Sunday also. A mí-ádh to the Senior team who just came up short in a hard fought game against St. Senans.
Ballymac Academy
As this coming weekend is a Bank Holiday weekend and with Kerry lining out to take on Limerick in the Munster Football semi-final there will be No Training on Sunday morning. Training for our U-6s U-8s and U-10s will resume on Sunday June 12th at 11 am sharp.
Club Merchandise
Helen and Katie are present each Sunday morning at the academy with club gear to sell. They have club jerseys, shorts, socks, kit-bags etc available. We do encourage all youngsters representing the club to be in full club attire so you can avail of the club gear every Sunday morning. Many thanks to both Helen and Katie !
Club Shop
Joanne and Tom Long provide snacks, drinks and tea every Sunday morning at the academy. Sunday brunch on the go as ye keep a watchful eye on the children practising their footballing skills !!
Best of Luck
Ballymac GAA Coiste na nÓg wish all members of the club the very best of luck in the forthcoming state exams this coming Wednesday June 8th. Go n-éirí go geal libh go léir san Ardteist ‘is sa Teastas Soiséaraigh. Also well done to U-14 team members Chris Rogers and Chris Leen for having been selected for the Kennedy Cup County soccer squad which will take place at University of Limerick in mid-June. Best of Luck to both !
Congratulations
To Jack O’ Shea, Ballymac U14 player who won 1st Year Player of the Year in Football, also 1st Year Player of the Year in Rugby and a certificate of academic achievement in Irish at CBS, The Green, Tralee on Monday May 30th. Well done Jack.