Our girls who are combined with Na Gaeil for this year had a great start to the County League beating Ballyduff 3-06 to 0-02 in Ballyduff on Sun evening. Well done to Leah O Neill, Rachel Godley, Tara & Michela Murphy and coach Teddy Murphy for a job well done!
U14 County League:
BALLYMAC 4-16 GNEEVEGUILLA 2-12
We picked up our second win in the county league away to Gneeveguilla on Saturday evening last. Again we started slowly and were 2-05 to 0-04 down after 20 mins. A goal by Keelan and some switches brought us back into the game. Dara Reagan and Cathal Dunne were now coming more into the game, and when Dara Keane goaled just before half time we were only 2 points (2-07 to2-05) down.
Points were exchanged on the restart and when Keelan goaled after 12 mins we were in front and stayed there. Our superior fitness was now telling and Dara Reagan added 1-04 while at the other end our defence did not concede a score in the final 12 mins. Keelan was our main man, and was helped by those already mentioned and Liam & Eoghan O Malley, Kieran Coggins, Ml Hoare, D Nolan, and David Rodgers who is growing into his role as goalie. Well done to Brian Lonergan who despite being injured early on came on again in the second half. We now play Ballyduff at home next.
U 12 CROKE PARK 3/4/13
Our u12 panel made the long trip to croke park on Wednesday last to take part in the annual Croke Park blitz. The boys were most fortunate to have been chosen as only five teams from Co.Kerry were allowed travel to this prestigious event.
We departed from Ballymac at 9.00 am and after a stop or two on the way we arrived in Croke Park with plenty of time to spare. This gave the boys and their supporters a chance to take in the magnificence of our premier GAA pitch. Games were already in full swing and the boys were eager to take to the pitch. After the obligatory photos
the boys were called to pitchside. The excitement was palpable amongst players and supporters. Our group was made up of Currow, Kilrush and Ballingeary. The format was oldest 11 to take to the field for the first game, youngest 11 for the second game and the final game to be split one half each. First up, our near neighbours Currow, this was a very exciting game from start to finish with some very good football being shown by both sides. Dylan Mc’Hugh at half back played a trojan game and was ably assisted at midfield by David Rogers and Kieran Coggins. Some great ball was played into the forwards where Diarmuid Lynch and Eoin Culloty picked off some wonderful scores. Dean Linehan Darragh Lynch and Jack Sugrue were industrious all throughout and Liam O’Brien, Darragh Brosnan and goalkeeper Eoghan Leahy repelled many of the Currow attacks.A great start by Ballymac in the clubs first outing at Croke Park!!!
Next up our younger panel of 11 took to the field to play Kilrush. Indeed not to be outdone by their older panel teammates this bunch of young lads took to croke park as if they played there weekly!! Eoghan Kenny was solid in goals and his kickouts found his blue and gold teammates each time, Jack Tobin Ciaran Brosnan Aidan O Brien and Dylan Dunne Moriarty were tenacious in defense and kept Kilrush out time and again. This great defense built the platform for midfield of Darragh Broderick and Brian Cassidy to deliver great ball to Darragh Leen Kyle o Connor, Johnathan Lowe and Cian Godley. The boys punished Kilrush with some brilliant score taking and it was a delight to see great team play involved in many of the scores!!!!!
The final challenge was Ballingeary, the older boys now had the measure of the field and showed their class on the big stage . Again some great interplay by the lads resulted in a flurry of goals and points that had their opponents on the back foot for most of the half , Diarmuid Lynch capitalised on some great ball in to bellow the net a couple of times!!!
Darragh Brosnan was very strong in defense and Jack Sugrue worked tirelessly in attack , as the older lads finished their gametime on the pitch they can look back on it with pride in a job well done.This game was not yet over though as the younger panel members also wanted to leave croke park with fond memories!! They got stuck in again from the throw in and their opponents were under constant pressure and it told time and again with some great finishing by Johnathan Lowe Jack Tobin and Eoghan Kenny who was released from goalkeeping duties but can show he can mix it with the best outfield players. Ciaran Brosnan and Aidan o Brien were also switched to the forward line and but for some fortunate defending would have seen their efforts hit the net. Again a solid team effort which will stand to the lads in weeks to come!!!!
After all the pitch duties were over the boys were treated to the Croke Park museum visit. The journey home was shortened by a visit to Supermacs and by reflection of a job well done by all the players.
Older team: Kieran Coggins, Diarmuid Lynch, David Rogers, Liam o Brien, Jack Sugrue, Dean Lenihan, Darragh Brosnan, Darragh Lynch, Eoghan Leahy, Dylan Mc Hugh, Eoin Culloty.
Younger team: Darragh Leen, Dylan Dunne Moriarty, Cian Godley, Jonathan Lowe, Darragh Broderick, Eoghan Kenny, Jack Tobin, Ciaran Brosnan, Brian Cassidy, Aidan o Brien, Kyle o Connor.
Mentors Jer Lynch, William o Brien, Tommy Leen, Jack Culloty, Jim Leahy, Michael Brosnan.
FAOI 12: U 12 Div 4(A) Ballymac (Blue Team) 4-10 Ballyduff 3-02
Our Blue team started their County League campaign with a hard earned victory over Ballyduff in very testing conditions for football last Sunday night. The boys started brightly but playing against a stiff breeze went in at the break a point down. We got stuck into it in the second half and with ten minutes remaining we got control in midfield and ran out winners after a hard struggle. Next up will be Ardfert at home this coming Sunday night at 7.00pm.
Ballyduff 4 -12 Ballymac 6-05
Our lads had very hard luck in this game played at a very windy Ballyduff on Sunday evening last. Trailing by 3-3 to 0-5 at half time and with the breeze to their backs for the second half the Ballymac lads were not allowed impose themselves on the game. Ballyduff probably used to the conditions better and on home ground picked off some lovely points against the breeze. Our lads didn’t give up and tried hard but just came up short on the final whistle.
Eoghan Kenny and after Jack Tobin did very well in goals. Jonathan Lowe picked off some great goals and Bryan Cassidy worked tirelessly at midfield . We now look forward to Ardfert at home next Sunday evening .
Training will continue on Tuesday and Fridays at 6 30
MÍLE BUÍOCHAS: A special thank you to Shane Godley who officiated as referee to a number of games and also to all parents and family members who made the long journey to cheer on the boys. We hope that it will be the first of many outings they may have to Croke Park as players and supporters. Buladh Bos go leir!!
BREITHLAETHANTA: It’s a solo birthday this week, Happy Birthday to Diarmuid Lynch who celebrated his birthday on Monday.
CÚL CAMP: Kellogg’s Gaa Cúl Camp with take place in Ballymac from July 29th to August 2nd. Form can be downloaded from our website www.ballymacgaa.com or you can register on line at www.gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps
ACADAMEY: Despite the sun shining for several days last week, it was the grey skies that greeted academy players and mentors on Sunday morning. However spirits were still bright with tremendous skill clearly visible across all age groups. Leading the pack of U6 boys were Paddy Lucid, Conal Savage, Conor Crean, Dave Lucid , Luke Griffin and Donnacha Enright. Impressing with their skills in the U8 boys were Padraig Heffernan, William O’Donoghue, Alex Walsh, Michael Prendergast, Evan O’Brien, Jack O’Flaherty and Jamie Burke. Catching the eye of their trainers were Peter Stein, Adam Sheehy, Tim Pollman Dammen, Sean Pollman Dammen, Adam O’Keeffe and Ryan McHugh. Keep up the great work boys. The girls were also out in force on Sunday with Abbey Leahy, Holly Geary, Cathy Palmer and Niamh Lynch showing great potential.
COMHGHAIRDEAS: Well Done to Padraig Ladie on refereeing his first game for the club.
Quote of the week: “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it”.