.
Senior Men
Report by Maureen O’Shea
Kerry Petroleum Junior Premier Club Championship:
Semi Final
@ Austin Stack Park, Tralee
Ardfert 1-10 Ballymacelligott 2-12
Ballymacelligott senior team secured a place in the Junior Premier Club Championship on Saturday night in Austin Stack Park.
The sun shone on a balmy evening. Perfect conditions for football and it was an added bonus for the Ballymac team to hear the fantastic vocal support from their loyal supporters.
Ballymac were cruising with a 1-04 to 0-1 lead after fifteen minutes. Aidan Breen opened the scoring with a pointed free, followed by a point from Ardfert. A point from Daire Keane and a goal from Donal Daly and Ballymac looked comfortable.
However, this comfort did not last long when Ardfert scored a goal from Colin Walsh. Two points followed for Ballymac from Niall Collins and Aidan Breen. Ardfert were not relenting and kept the pressure up.
Christy Leen in the Ballymac goal put a goal-bound ball over the bar and three more points followed from Ardfert. The score now was 1-5 to Ardfert and 1-06 to Ballymac. Four minutes of additional time allowed Ballymac to score a point from Niall Collins just before the whistle blew.
Half Time score: Ardfert 1-05 to Ballymac 1-07.
The second half saw both teams fighting for every ball. Donal Daly and Niall Collins scored a point each from play and Ardfert score two points one from a free and one for play. In the 10th minute, Daire Keane scored a point and within a minute, once again he was right in front of the goal. He was fouled.
Aidan Breen made no mistake when he goaled from the penalty spot. It was now Ardfert 1-07 to Ballymac 2-10.
Ardfert were down to 14. Much to the chagrin of the Ballymac supporters the team had five wides in the next ten minutes. Ardfert capitalised on this and scored three points, a free from Bobby O’Regan, and two from play for Jordan Brick and Eoghan McElligott.
With 56 minutes on the clock, Aidan Breen scored a point. That was followed by a point from Ballymac’s industrious, Adam Sheehy.
It was not over yet Ardfert had one last spark that Dan Shea intercepted and the whistle blew.
Final Score: Ardfert 1-10 Ballymacelligott 2-12
It is great to be in a Club Championship Final. The first time since 2002 for the club to get to a County Club Final and that twenty-one years demonstrates what an achievement it is for the Club, the Squad, and the Management team.
Team and Scorers: Christy Leen, Tomás O’Connor, Dan O’Shea, Josh O’Keeffe, Cian Counihan, Tadhg Brick, Darragh Sweeney, Aidan Breen (1 pen- 3f), Micheal Reidy (0-1) Niall Collins (0-4,) Daire Keane (0-2,) Adam Sheehy (0-1) Donal Daly (1-1) Vinny Horan, Brian Lonergan.
Subs used: Dara Broderick, Padráig McCarthy, Michael Sweeney and Dara Regan.
Thanks to all our supporters and sponsors for all your support today, and for many years.
Presentation of gear bags to senior team
Designer Landscapes Sponsor Ballymac Senior team Kit Bags.
Ballymacelligott GAA wishes to thank Designer Landscapes who sponsored kit bags for our senior team prior to Saturday’s Club semi-final. Thomas Laide presented the kit bags to the team after training on Friday night. Tommy Laide and Designer Landscapes have supported Ballymac GAA in all our fundraisers for over twenty years. We appreciate it all.
Senior Ladies
Sunday 10th September 2023
Report by Sean Hennessey
Bons Secours Junior A Championship
Round 4
On an extremely hot 1pm throw in, the exertions of the last five tough, intense weeks, finally took its toll on our fantastic warriors as we succumbed to a very game Spa team.
The opening score came from Spa No.14 with a free, which was answered by three points from our Ladies, a free from Roisin Rahilly and points from play by Lisa Curran and Eve Creedon.
However, we did not make enough use of our possession in this period of dominance, as Spa replied with three points of their own to take back the lead, missing a dubious penalty decision as well. Then came the game turning moment as Spa No.11 got in for a goal after a poor turnover in our own half.
We raised our work rate and really ran at the Spa defence, resulting in a yellow card for Spa No.3. In this time, we had two Roisin Rahilly points from a frees, but Spa had the last say of the first half with another point, to lead by three at the break, 1-5 to 0-5.
At the start of the second half points from play by Roisin and Keelin Enright had the minimum between the sides. Again a few wides left us down and Spa got another point back to push it out two points.
Kate Collins narrowed the margin back to one with two points sandwiching a point from Spa. This led our ladies pushing hard for an equaliser only to be caught on the break where we conceded another penalty, this time converted by Spa 11. With that we ended the game with a 4-point defeat 2-7 to 0-9.
The girls need not to worry, as we need to put this defeat, only our second in four years of Championship football, in the rear-view mirror as next week we are at home Listowel Emmets for Round 5. This will be our last home game in the Round Robin format.
Squad as follows, Kerry Hennessy, Grainne Galvin, Niamh Rahilly, Emily O’Brien, Ciara Kerins, Una Kerins, Rachel Griffin, Aishling O’Connell, Eve Creedon, Keelin Enright, Roisin Rahilly, Ellie McElliogott, Lisa Curran, Ella Quirke, Kate Collins, Rachel Creedon, Anna Collins, Caoimhe Carroll, Laura Kelly, Lorna Daly, Kate O’Connor, Veronica Heaslip, Cora Savage,
U17 Ladies
Our u17 Girls took on Desmonds in the semi-final of the County A Championship on Thursday evening last in Castleisland.
On the evening the home side proved too strong, our cause wasn’t helped by the unavailability of a numbers of players.
However, it was a great achievement by the Girls to reach the semi-final.
Good luck to Desmonds in the Final.
The U16 North Kerry League begins on Wednesday next with a home game against Kerins O’Rahillys with throw in at 6.30pm.
minor team
Minor Boys
Ballymacelligott GAA v Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane– Minor – Group B – QF – Club Championship
Ballymacelligott GAA 3-12 (21)
Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane GAA 4-8 (20)
Our Minor team played Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane on a fine evening at home on Friday, 8th of September.
In the first half, it was a nip and tuck battle with very little between the sides on the field and on the scoreboard. Micheal O’Connor and Conor Martin were some of our lads who were on the scoresheet in the first period.
The overall quality of football on display was of a high standard with both teams going at it. It was the narrowest of margins which separated the sides at the interval where the home side led on a scoreline of 0-7 to 0-6
The second half went into another gear with a total of 7 goals on display from both sides. One goal from the industrious substitute Luke Silles came at a vital time for the hosts. Placed ball specialist, Micheal Savage had his kicking boots on with 0-6 points, 5 from frees.
However, special mention must go to Jack Joy. who contributed 2-2, inclusive of a penalty in the dying minutes, which was incredibly saved by the GGC keeper but the save came off the upright, to the awaiting Jack Joy to stick it home to the left-hand side. However, he left the best until last.
With the last kick of the game, between 30-40 yards out, with the sides level, cool as a cucumber, slotted the free off the ground over the bar to win the game for the home side. Incredible composure & accuracy.
It was sheer resilience and a never say die attitude which proved just enough at the end. Much credit must go to Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane for contributing to a sporting and open game of football. However, it was the Ballymac lads who got over the line in dramatic fashion and we now march on to a semi-final next weekend.
Jack Joy (2-02), Micheal Savage (0-06)5f’s, Luke Silles (1-00) Conor Martin (0-2), Micheal O’Connor (0-1), Jamie Burke (0-01)
After this evening (Sunday) draw we now face Legion at home next Saturday for the semi-final.
under 13 boys
Under 13 boys
On fine sunny evening in Blennerville our Ballymac U13 Gold team took on Kerins o Rahilly’s in the Central Region final. Kerins o Rahilly’s took an early lead scoring two goals. Showing great heart, the Ballymac boys took the fight to the opposition scoring a couple of goals of their own.
The second half produced a titanic battle with Ballymac putting the O Rahilly’s boys under some serious pressure scoring a brace of points and unlucky not to get a goal or two. Unfortunately, the Ballymac boys went down at the final whistle on a score line
of 5.08 to 3.08. The boys, unlucky not to win, should be commended for their never say die attitude in the game. Ballymac Abu
U9 boys
Boys u9 played Na Gaeil in the return leg of our Go games. As always both teams played 3 very sporting and competitive matches. Thanks to all the parents for driving and collecting. Keep up the practice at home as more games to come.
Academy
Academy
Our Academy U5s put in a tough session this morning. This group has come so far from our first session in March this year. All smiles and full of laughs, a pleasure to coach each Sunday morning.
2023 Eric Mason Blitz
Cup Winners FIRIES GAA
Shield Winners AUSTIN STACKS GAA
On Saturday the club hosted our annual Eric Mason Blitz which saw eight teams serve up an excellent day of football.
A highly entertaining cup final saw Firies win after extra time at the expense of Glanmire from Cork. Firies also took the player of the tournament home with Daithi Allen taking home the trophy.
In the Shield Final Austin Stacks overcame our boys after a very entertaining game also. Keel, Fr Caseys Abbeyfeale, St Paul’s Mungret and Churchill can also be very proud of their teams’ performances on the day.
A huge thanks to all the coaches from all teams for their time, commitment and cooperation on the day. Thanks also to our match officials on the day George O Donnell and Sky Lynch.
Also, to our photographer Tom O Donoghue, Illen piper Denis Patrick, singer Aidan Savage, player of the tournament judge Declan O Connell, Siobhan Leen and her team for feeding the masses, Eamon Moriarty for looking after the programmes and Dave Long on parking duties.
Thanks so much to the Mason family for attending from morning to late afternoon and anyone else who helped and supported it in any way.
Finally, a huge well done to all the team at Coiste Na nÓg in the club for making the day happen and run so smoothly. The day really showcases the club in a positive light.
Ballymac Abú
Lotto
On Monday 4th September, Oonagh O’Rahilly and Angela Lenihan conducted the Lotto draw online.
The Numbers drawn were: 3, 8, 11, 24
There was no winner of this week’s Jackpot of €4,300. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners this week:
€30.00 – Sinead Regan, (Annual Ticket)
€20.00 – Lorraine Fitzmaurice (Quick Pick, Home Game 02/09)
€20.00 – Roland Rogers (Annual Ticket)
Next week’s Jackpot is €4,400 and the draw will take place on Monday 11th September. Play Ball Lotto Ticket sales close at 6 pm sharp.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here http://clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=2258&PC=0&RP=#Anchor
or from our regular sellers Paula Silles and Maureen O Shea. Quick Pick Envelopes and €2 cards are available at The Half Way Shop, O Riadas Bar and C.A Galvin Ltd. The closing time for entries will be 4 pm on Mondays to facilitate the draw.
The club appreciates every ticket that is bought in support of our Lotto. The funds go straight back into our club to cover expenses from Academy up to Senior Level.
