Kellogs GAA Cúl Camps
Over 100 kids from the parish participated in the annual GAA Cúl Camps in Ballymac throughout all last week. This is the fourth consecutive year that the club has hosted the Summer Camps and it has grown and become more popular year on year. Despite the very poor weather conditions and the incessant rain, all seemed to have enjoyed themselves and certainly the juveniles gained some valuable lessons from the different coaches with all the footballing skills being taught to the kids. Kerry footballer, Mark O Shea made a guest appearance on Tuesday and reports have it that he was well impressed with the standard of football at the camp. It was a great success once again and the club would like to thank all coaches including Alan, Marcus, Mikey, Ross, Clíona, Dónal and David for all their help and guidance during the week. The club would also like to wish Adam Sheehy a speedy recovery from a shoulder injury sustained during the week.
Faoi 14
Central League Semi-Final Result : Annascaul / Lispole 2-13 Ballymac 0-10. On Monday last, we travelled west to Annascaul to take on the West Kerry combination side in this year’s semi-final of the Central League. Having already gone under to Annascaul/Lispole in the League phase by 11 points, Ballymac were in no form to allow a repeat performance to take place again. Missing the influential Brian Lonergan and Paddy O Donnell, we had to re-jig the forward line and placed Robert Dowd at full-forward to carry an offensive threat to the home side. However, things did not transpire the way we wanted to as from the off, we failed to deliver the long ball into the full-forwardline and ultimately this proved detrimental to our chances of gaining victory. Annascauls full and centre forwards were causing untold damage and Ballymac were quick to make positional changes to counteract this. Eddie Rogers was moved onto their centre forward and he managed to nullify the threat. Kealan Brosnan was moved to the half-back line to try and stem the tide. Our mid-field pairing of Tomás O Connor and Micheál Reidy tried their best to carry the game to the home side but in reality, Ballymac were playing second-fiddle for most of the game. Behind at half-time on a score of 1-09 to 0-02, more positional changes were made and this made a difference as subs Daire Keane, David Rogers, Joshua O Keeffe and Cillian Gallagher were introduced. However, it was a case of a little too late and Annascaul/Lispole saw the game out in comfortable fashion. Foireann : Gary Horan, Tadhg Brick, Kealan Brosnan ( 0-03 ), Kevin O Connor, Eoin O Malley, Max O Brien, Eddie Rogers, Tomás O Connor, Micheál Reidy ( 0-03 ), Liam O Malley, Darragh Regan ( 0-03 ), Michael Hoare, Brian O Connor, Robert Dowd, David Long. Subs : Daire Keane ( 0-01 ), Barry Lyons, Cillian Gallagher, Joshua O Keeffe, David Rogers, Cathal Dunne, Liam O Brien. We now play Castleisland Desmonds in Rd 4 of the Castleisland District League with fixture yet to be finalised.
Faoi 16
County League Rd 5 Result : Ballymac 5-08 Tarbert 3-05 . With qualification for the semi-finals hinging on a victory in our final League game of the season, Ballymac gave a powerful display of football on Wednesday last to overcome our North Kerry rivals. In fact, this encounter resembled a knock-out game as the losers would ultimately fail to qualify. It was an impressive display by Ballymac who welcomed back Gerard Browne after a long term shoulder injury and despite his long lay-off he produced a fine display of football at centre-forward. With the help of five U-14 players, the team are progressing with every game and with Pádraig O Connor scoring a brace of goals from corner-forward, it was evident from an early stage in the game that Ballymac would take some beating. Tomás O Connor and Micheál Reidy were as influential as ever as was Aaron Dunne, Eoin Lyons and Sean Doyle in defence. One must also bear in mind that Ballymac were missing four regulars, namely Neil O Sullivan, Vincent Horan, Jonathan Brick and Stephen Bermingham and hope has it that some of the aforementioned will be available for selection for this week’s semi-final against Fossa. Throw-in time in Fossa for this semi-final is 7 00pm this Wednesday Aug 8th. Foireann : Garry Sheehy, Eoin Lyons, Aaron Dunne, Robert Dowd, David Long, Sean Doyle, Sean Savage, Jack O Shea, Tomás O Connor, Morgan Quirke, Gerard Browne, Micheál Reidy, Pádraig O Connor, Christopher Leen, Cathal Lehane.
Faoi 10
Our our 10s travelled to Churchill on Sunday morning last . We played our hosts on a beautiful morning for football and their pitch was in excellent condition.A large number of players travelled and we made 2 teams . Team M and team L . Team M found the going tough in the first half with some great work being done by defense players of note included Dylan Dunne Moriarty and Aidan O’Brien. Eoghan Kenny in goals was finding his men from the kickouts which help our comeback.Plenty of water was taken on board at half time such was the warm conditions and brisk play. In the second half we stormed back into the game Bryan Godley and Jack Tobin drove the team on with Johnathan Lowe and Cian Godley taking some lovely scores. All in all a very accomplished display from our lads and all the training is beginning to show.Team L put in a great shift also in their game, against whilst slow to start they got into their stride soon afterwards. Thomas O Connor, Adam Joy Adam Walker were impressive with some great block downs on view. Denis Brosnan worked very hard for the 50mins as did the rest of his team mates. Other notable performances from James Bailey Bryan Godley, Cathal Culloty and Adam Sheehy . Well done to all on a great game. Thanks to Eddie Lynch for refereeing team m game and to all mentors and parents for support.
Faoi 11
This coming Saturday Aug 11th our U-11s will participate in the annual Firies U-11 blitz. We have taken part in this blitz for the last number of years and have been very successful right throughout. Let’s hope this year is no different. The competition will take place in Farranfore and it is due to commence at 10 30 am. Please bring a change of gear in the event of wet weather. We will be bringing a squad of 15 players. Cathaoirleach Jer Lynch will notify players in advance of the blitz.
Faoi 12
We were due to play John Mitchels on Bank Holiday Monday last in Rd 1 of the Central Region. However, Mitchels were unable to fulfill the fixture and the game will now be played at a later date. This coming Monday evening Aug 13th both teams will travel to Gallarus in Corca Dhuibhne to play An Ghaeltacht in Rd 2 of the Central League with throw-in at 7 pm.
U-12 Fixtures : Mon Aug 13 An Ghaeltacht v Ballymac ; Mon Aug 20 Ballymac v Milltown/C’maine ; Mon Aug 27 Ballymac v Annascaul ; Mon Sept 3 Dingle v Ballymac. The top 4 teams in the Division will qualify for the semi-finals which will be played in mid-September.
Faoi 8 agus Faoi 10
This Thursday evening August 9th we play host to Ardfert in both U-8s and U-10s. Games will commence in Ballymac at 7 30pm.
Academy
Training for our U-6s, U-8s and U-10s will re-commence this Sunday morning Aug 12th at 11am. Be sure to practise those skills at home.