County League Div. 4 Final:
Ballymac 1-08 Annascaul 1-06.
Pride of place this week must certainly belong to our U-16s having secured the County League title last Wednesday with a hard fought and narrow victory over Annascaul at Austin Stacks Park. This was the fourth meeting of the two sides this year, having already faced each other twice in the Central Region League. In Rd 2 of the County League earlier on this summer, Ballymac had a one point win over the West Kerry side so there was little to separate the sides all throughout the season. In truth, this was a dour, tense and tight affair with both full-back lines on top throughout with Seán Doyle having the proverbial blinder at full-back for Ballymac. Scores were hard to come by and when they did come were hard earned. Chris Leen, Ger Browne and Moss Leen all pointing in the first half with the score 3 points each at the short whistle. Ballymac then began to edge it with Jack O Shea and Patrick O Connor sweeping forward giving our attack an extra option or two and when Chris Leen pounced on a rebound to put the ball in the net ten minutes into the second half, Ballymac were suddenly four points to the good. However, trust Annascaul, with their never say die attitude began to run at the Ballymac defence and this tactic began to yield some fortune for them with a goal of their own to reduce the gap to the minimum. However, Dylan Goggin and Scott O Brien brought the game once more to Annascaul with the final score going the way of Ballymac. Very little was conceded by both sides and indeed very few fouls committed but there was precious little space for both attack-lines with defences on top throughout. Danny Pierce was a colossus at half-back cutting off the supply lines to their inside forwards time and time again and there to help him was Jonathan Brick at half-back. Aaron Dunne at corner back didn’t put a foot wrong all night and birthday boy Eoin Lyons was sound in goals. Jack Scanlon was used very effectively as a third mid-fielder at times which created some space inside for Sean Savage and Vincent Horan. Tomás O Connor made an appearance in the second half and contributed to the win. It was a very positive conclusion to the 2011 season for all the lads, having commenced training during the second week of January last with tremendous time, energy and commitment given right throughout the year. A deserving win over a gallant Annascaul side and captain Patrick O Connor was ecstatic on receiving the County League trophy from County Secretary Tadhg O Halloran. Comhghairdeas do gach uile duine a bhí páirteach leis an bhfoireann iontach seo. Foireann: Eoin Lyons, Aaron Dunne, Sean Doyle, Patrick O Connor, Jack O Shea, Danny Pierce, Jonathan Brick, Scott O Brien, Moss Leen, Dylan Goggin, Chris Leen, Vincent Horan, Jack Scanlon, Gerard Browne, Sean Savage, Tomás O Connor, Chris Rogers, Graham Breen, Neil Sullivan, Jerdie O Shea, Cillian Brosnan, Stephen Bermingham, Morgan Quirke.
Faoi 13
U-13 County League concluded last Tuesday with a comprehensive win over Castlegregory. In truth, it was a dead rubber game as both sides were out of contention for County League honours but fair play to both sides for playing and showing great commitment on the night. Ballymac afforded positional changes all over the team which seemed to have worked successfully with players given the opportunity to play in positions they were not accustomed to. It worked a treat with Kevin O Connor scoring a hat-trick of goals and Keelan Brosnan bagging a brace. Our defence also held firm with Robert Dowd and Eddie Rogers to the fore. Max O Brien was liberated when playing at mid-field and he excelled with the freedom of playing out the field.
The management team was very satisfied with the level of performance and this bodes well for future U-13 competitions. Ballymac eventually finished as runners-up on 8 points in the County League 4 points adrift of a highly talented Currow side. Well done to all involved and your dedication and sacrifices made are acknowledged by all in Coiste na nÓg.
Faoi 11
We hosted Austin Stacks in Rd 3 of Coiste Thrá Lí on Monday evening last and in a high scoring contest Ballymac were edged out by a very fit and strong town side. However, despite a lack-lustre first half, Ballymac improved no end in the second half and brought the game to Stacks. David Nolan Tighe, Barry Lyons, Brian Lonergan, Tadhg Brick and David Rogers all to the fore, ably assisted by Daire Keane, Joshua O Keeffe and Darragh Broderick. The played moved quickly from end to end with little time for a breather. Alusin Jah, Ciarán Nolan Tighe, Liam O Brien, Kieran Coggin, Cillian Gallagher, David McCarthy and Eoghan O Donnell all played their part in a most entertaining game. Next Monday evening Sept 12th we are away when we play John Mitchels in Tralee with throw-in time of 6 45 pm.
Ballymac Academy
Close on 200 kids were present last Sunday morning when Austin Stacks U-6, U-8 and U-10s visited us in Ballymac. With 5 games running simultaneously, the players entertained the huge crowd of parents present with outstanding displays of footballing skills right throughout all the teams. In the U-6 age group players such as Kealan Lynch, Tommy Palmer, Shane Gilroy, Niall Collins, Conor Breen, Diarmuid Galvin, Aidan and Luke Horgan all played a vital role in their team’s performance on the morning. All the U-6 team are great ambassadors for the club and they did everybody proud last Sunday. Our U-8s had two different teams out as well with Adam Walker, Cormac Costello, Sean Horan, Denis Brosnan, Adam Joy, Maurice O Connell, Garry Lynch and Cathal Culloty all to the for in their titanic struggle with the Rockies. Great progress is being made in this age group and all team players exhibit the right attitude and application to ensuring that this progress is steady and true. Our U-10s were more than a match for our town rivals with Jonathan Lowe scoring a brace of goals with Brian Cassidy and Tommy Brosnan also hitting the net. Kieran Coggin and Jack Tobin stood out in a fascinating game and Michelle Lynch played her part in goals. Darragh Leen and Dylan Dunne Moriarty also played their part as did Tomás Lynch, Darragh Brosnan and Kyle O Connor. It was a hugely entertaining and pleasant morning with tremendous preparation done by all our mentors including Eddie Lynch, Jer Lynch, Denis Brosnan, Liam Joy, Ger Collins, Niall Gilroy, Willie Costello, Eddie O Connell, Tony Silles and some parents. Without your interest, help and commitment games for all our Juveniles would simply not take place and the club is indebted to all those volunteers who help so much right throughout the year. A huge ” Míle Buíochas ” to you all.
Siopa
Every Sunday morning at Juvenile Training from 11 am to 12 15pm Joanne has the shop open for all, with teas, coffees, soft drinks and snacks available to the hungry masses. Official Club gear for all age groups is also available at the shop for those interested in purchasing club jerseys, shorts, socks etc.
Peil na gCailíní
Our U-8 and U-10 girls travelled to Abbeydorney last Sunday to partake in the football blitz organised by the host club. It was a very enjoyable experience for all the girls with the U-10 competing well in their group with victories over Listowel Emmets, Na Gaeil, Abbeydorney nad Stacks. Those to shine on the day were Cora Savage, Róisín Long, Lisa Curran, Niamh Rahilly and Claire Kenny. The U-8 girls also impressed throughout the day and the girls certainly benefitted from the football blitz. Girls such as Cathy Palmer, Aoife Galvin, Sinéad McKeown, Millie and Laura Dunne and Emer Curran played their part. A big well done to all !!
Faoi 14
Castleisland District U-14 League Rd 4. We completed our League campaign with a resounding victory over Currow last Sunday evening, thus qualifying to meet Cordal/Scart in the semi-final. David Long and Jack O Shea (2) were Ballymac’s goalscorers on a wet and dreary evening. Micheál Reidy, Robert Dowd, Eoin Lyons and Cillian Brosnan all contributed to a rather facile win. The semi-final takes place this Wednesday Sept. 7th in Currow with throw-in time fixed for 6 30pm.
Ádh Mhór!
Coiste na nÓg would like to wish the Junior team the very best of luck in the McElligott Cup Final against Ardfert which is due to be played this coming Sunday in Austin Stacks Park at 1 30pm. U-14 mentor Gene O Keeffe is a vital member of the Junior team. Also well done to the Senior Team who beat Fossa in the County League last Saturday to remain top of Div 4 with two games to play.