Juvenile Notes 4th May 2015

We travelled to Annascaul to play Gaeltacht in a central division playoff on Monday the 27th of April last. This game was necessary as both teams had finished their league campaigns on 5 points each. Again we lined out with several players carrying injuries and knocks into the game. In the first half we found it very difficult to penetrate a packed Gaeltacht defence with a Dara Reagan free our only score in this half. A variety of points from play and frees helped the opposition to a 5 points to one half time lead.Into the second half and with the wind at their backs Gaeltacht scored 1-1 inside the first five minutes. Dara Reagan kicked three points in response for us. However with twenty minutes gone we were 7 points down. James Mc’Donnell then took a heavy knock and with hailstones pouring down things did not look hopeful. However this group of players had no intention of giving in. With about 5 minutes left Dara Reagan took a quick free to ML. Hoare and his shot found the net. A minute later the comeback was really on as Josh o’ Keeffe scored a goal for us. Almost immediately Eoin o Malley popped over a point to level the game. Unfortunately this great comeback was not enough as a pointed free saw Gaeltacht win by the slightest margin. This result ended our involvement in this competition in which we played 6 games in total. Overall we ended up winning two games, had one draw and lost three games by the narrowest margin. Well done to the boys.FAOI 14
Ballymac 2-4 Firies 6-16
We were outplayed by a stronger Firies team last Wednesday night. We started well in the first half and played some very good football. We should have had more scores on the board as we hit the post three times. Dara Leen and Dylan Dunne Moriarty played really well and our defence were holding their own. We went in at half-time one point down with the score line reading Ballymac 2-4 Firies 2-5.

However this was as close as we were going to get. Firies sprung the bench at the start of the second half and they proved to be the much stronger side for the last 30 minutes. Our lads tried hard to repel the wave of attacks from Firies but after conceding a number of goals the game was beyond them. The final score line of Ballymac 2-4 to Firies 6-16 emphasised the away sides dominance. This was a hard lesson for our boys but the compensation for them is that they have secured a semi-final position against the same opposition. This will give the lads a chance to redeem themselves and this is a challenge they are all looking forward to.

This game is due to take place this Wednesday, 6th May in Farranfore.

FAOI 12
Fossa 3-01 Ballymac Blue Team 3-07
The match was played last Sunday evening the 3rd of May in wet and windy conditions. The boys put in another fine performance to win Division 3 of the County League. We started off the game brightly and had much of the play but weren’t getting the scores on the board. This was to be the story of the first half. Fossa caught us a number of times on the break and scored three goals. We went in at half time trailing by six points on a score line of Fossa 3-01 Ballymac 1-01. We would have went in more behind but for the great defending of Adam Kelly, Cathal Culloty, Darragh Sweeney, James Bailey and Andy Rogers, and some fine saves by our goalkeeper Adam O Keeffe.

The lads came out for the second half and with the wind at their backs they upped their work rate and within twelve minutes the scores were level. Sean & Tim Pollman Dammen were getting on top in the middle of the park and they gave in some great ball to our forwards Adam Joy, Denis Brosnan, Padraig O ‘Sullivan, Maurice O’ Connell, Sean Horan & Ryan Mc Hugh; who all showed great character and a never say die attitude. We took the lead for the first time in the game with nine minutes to go which and this was a lead they would not relinquish. Missing on the night were Bryan Godley, Thomas O Connor and Dylan Barry O Connell who will all be back for our next outing in a few weeks time. There were great scenes of joy at the final whistle as the Ballymac Blue Team were Crowned Division 3 County League winners. Coaches Jack Culloty, Liam Sweeney & Jer Lynch were all over the moon at the end of this titanic performance by the boys. Well done to both teams for a very competitive game in difficult conditions.

U12 County League
Fossa 0-04 Ballymac Gold Team 3-09
The Ballymac Gold team travelled to Fossa last Sunday evening the 03rd of May in a winner takes all encounter. We got off to a great start as James Kenny settled the nerves with an early goal. The Fossa team responded and we had a goal cleared of the line by our alert captain Luke O’Connell. This scare spurred on the boys and Gary Lynch scored a great goal. This was followed by three points from the powerful Donal Daly and a point a piece from Alfonzo Marquez and James Kenny. This left the half time score line Fossa 0-0 Ballymac 2-6.
Ballymac were now playing into the wind in the second half and the whole team put in a great effort in difficult conditions. Eoin Creedon, Adam Wharton, Mossie Breenan, Luke Mc’Gill, Jared O’Briain, Oisin Shanahan, Jack Mc’Elligott, Mark O’Connor and Jamie Sugrue all put in great displays. Fossa played really well and forced Kieran Slattery to pull of three fine saves. However they could not turn around the first half deficit and final score read Fossa 0-4 Ballymac 3-9. This result ensured the Division 3B league title for the gold team. Well done to all the team.

FAOI 10 & 8
The U8’s and U10’s travelled to Caherslee to play Austin Stack’s last Sunday morning the 03/05/2015. We had a great turnout from both age groups with three challenge games in each category taking place. An enjoyable morning was had by all and the games were played in a great spirit. Many thanks to Austin Stack’s for hosting the event and we look forward to welcoming them to Ballymac at a later date. St Pats U8 and U10 teams are visiting Ballymac on Sunday next 11.00am. Our U8 boys travel to Castleisland this Friday for Go Games at 7.00pm