Weekly News 16th Sept 2012

Post date: Sep 16, 2012 10:45:39 PM

Tipperary North Intermediate Hurling championship, Ballina had a fine win over neighbours Ballinahinch. This was a very hard fought game, Ballina went 6 points up at one stage but were brought back to a single point before going on to win by 3 points. The North final will not take place until after the all ireland hurlng minor final, however Ballina are now due to play Clonakenny in the Tipperary county championship on Saturday next at 3.00pm in Monegal.

The club are holding a fundraiser next Friday night in Mollys bar. The club has arranged an Irish night in the bar and then a disco later in St Jacks. €10 for disco so please come along and support the club.

On 19th October a fashion show will be held in the lakeside hotel in aid of the Ballina GAA club and the Alzeimhers watermans lodge, . There are also plans to hold an end of year dinner dance in the lakeside on the Sunday of the Oct bank holiday weekend, more details of both events t folow in coming weeks.

Tickets for the all ireland hurling final replays will go on sales in the GAA complex on friday 22nd at 9.00pm.

John Joe Nevin : Fresh from beating Ballinahinch in the North IHC on Saturday evening, Ballina continued its winning streak on Sunday morning capturing the 9th John Joe Nevin U10 hurling tournament. The skies were grey and full of rain before the appointed throw-in time which led to very soft under-foot conditions. A pitch inspection passed the field as playable but only just. Ballina entered two teams this year and the blues were first into action facing Cork team, Newtownshandrum. This was a very difficult assignment but the lads finally got on top in the second half to record a victory. Next up the red team faced Smith O'Brien's. The lads battled bravely but had to give second best to a well-drilled Killaloe team. In their third game, the reds faced Kilruane MacDonagh's who were just too good for the red team. This put the reds in a C final v Newtownshandrum, with the Cork boys running out winners.

The blue team had accounted for Ahane - but only just in a nerve-jangler - to book their place in the A final v a fine Kilruane MacDonagh's side. It has to be said that the quality of the hurling from both sides in the A final was exceptional. In Josh Egan, Ballina had the game's hardest-working player and he inspired his team-mates. Matthew Power was exceptional from placed balls and sidelines. Sam Loughran was a class apart and up front Daniel O'Meara and Conor Rowley terrorised defences with their direct running. Kilruane had their own class acts all over the field and there was only a goal and 2 points in it at the end. John Joe Nevin is a household name to many thanks to the exploits of the Mullingar boxer at London 2012, but our own late John Joe Nevin was a massive figure in underage GAA and it is only fitting that such a big day is held in his honour. Mrs. Patsy Nevin presented the trophy to a beaming Ballina captain, James Power. Well done to all the Ballina boys and their coaches on beating a fine Kilruane team about whom we will hear more in the future. Aaron Morgan of Kilruane was voted Player of the Tournament. Thanks to the u10 parents who helped out with the catering and to parents Christine Graham, Margot Foley, Noreen Bourke & Fiona Bourke who helped out also. Thanks also to the referees for the day who were Michael Hayes (Ballina) and Johnny Healy (Killaloe).

The victorious Ballina Blue Panel: James Power, Michael McMahon, Adam Fogarty, David Grace, Josh Egan, Jack McEvoy, Dara King, Sam Loughran, Mark Lyons, Daniel O'Meara, Kian Donnelly, Cathal O'Donnell, Conor Rowley, Braoin Cleary, Cian Commins, Louis Storan, Conor Meagher, Tadhg O'Shaughnessy, Ivor Larkin, Brian Cahill, Evan Coleman & Patrick McCOrmack.

Ballina Red panel was: Declan Young, Ryan McGrath, Daniel Tighe, Adam Power, Cian Oakley, David Coughlan, Jason Gleeson, Jack Collins, James Frahill, Ian Larkin, Senan Derven, Ronan Neill, Shane Kelly, Peter Dunne, Callum Nolan, Conor Hannon, Cian MacAuley, Josh Johnson, Conor Johnson.

Fixtures for this week. The U16s took on Kilruane McDonaghs on Monday of this week in the Tipperary north semi final in kilcoleman, meanwhile the u14s will play the Silvermines on wed in Ballina in the plate.

Best of luck to the U10 Camogoe who will hold their own Blitz in the GAA field next Saturday