Weekly News August 18th 2013

Post date: Aug 19, 2013 3:35:35 PM

North Intermediate final: The North Intermediate hurling final takes place next Sunday Aug 26th in Nenagh at 6:30PM against Shannon Rovers.Best of luck to the players and the management team.Please come along and show your support on the night.

Sympathy: The club wishes to extend the deepest sympathy on the passing of Noel O ' Shea to his wife Josephine,children Colm,Niamh,Fergus,Grainne,and Noel Jnr, family and friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.Noel played for Ballina in the early seventies 1972 and 1973 against Silvermines and Borrisokane in the North Intermediate hurling finals.

U12 County semifinal: U12 hurlers exited the County Championship last Saturday after a close-fought battle with Arravale Rovers on a showery day in Holycross, The Tipp town boys had the better all-round team and even though it took them until the last quarter to get ahead on the scoreboard, they were never far behind. Ballina led by the minimum at half-time thanks to an opportunist James Power goal and a long-range Matthew Power free. Just like the previous match, Ballina added a goal thanks to hard work from Michael McMahon to extend the lead just after half-time. At that stage, a victory looked likely but credit to the Arravale lads, they kept it going and combined well for some great team scores. However, in the game's only controversial moment, the umpire adjudged that Ballina's goalkeeper had let the ball slip behind the goal line - despite the protestation to the contrary of the other umpire. After consultation, the goal was awarded and it lifted the Arravale team and set them on their way to victory.

Defeat is hard to take in any sport and losing a county semi-final was no different, but heads can be held high as they went down fighting. The glow of satisfaction at winning a North Hurling title will be remembered long after the pain of this defeat has passed. Well done to the boys and their coaches on a season of significant development and success. Ballina GAA congratulates Arravale Rovers on their victory and wishes them well in the County Final.

Buy A Sod: Another Sod Purchased from all the way Down Under the Ballina GAA Club fundraiser for the new pitch 'Pitch in to Turn Our Green Field Blue - Buy Your Sod' is well underway Down Under with Sean Duggan, a Grange resident and player until recently, who has recently moved out to Victoria, purchasing 2 sods online. A certificate of ownership is issued with every purchase with one being raffled at the Heat Wave Summer Social Evening on Friday 30th August from 7pm in O'Donovans Bar in association with Ballina GAA Club, tickets €10. Sods can be purchased online atwww.ballina.tipperary.gaa.ie/buyasod or from the club shop or a committee member.

Locallotto: No winner of last weeks lotto, jackpot is now €3,600 to be in with a chance to win or share in the jackpot. Tickets may be purchased from all shops,pubs,club officers and on line at www.locallotto.ie Thank you for your continued support.

Think you can dance ?: Well, your big opportunity has arrived. The club is holding a "Strictly Come Dancing" event in March next year in partnership with Portroe GAA Club. The selected contestants (no dancing experience necessary) will be trained by professional dance teachers for 10 weeks starting in early January. In all, we need 20 dancers from the club - why not you ? There will be a glamorous night of dancing in The Lakeside Hotel in mid-March in the club final with five couples to qualify to for the Grand Final where Ballina's finest will compete against Portroe on the dance floor ! Private Message for more details if interested.

Summer Social Evening: Heat wave Summer social evening with Pig on a Spit on August 30th in O'Donovan's Bar in association with Ballina GAA club. Music and dancing to Nenagh mint from 7PM. Tickets €10 may be purchased from commitee members and club officers. More details next week.