Weekly News May 5th 2013

Post date: May 7, 2013 10:36:18 AM

Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship

Congratulations to the Intermediate hurlers who made it 2 wins out of 2 with a defeat of Drom & Inch in Dolla last Saturday evening. Having accounted for Moyne/Templetuohy in the first round,the lads are in a very good position now after 2 rounds. Well done to all !

U16 Update

Ballina U16s qualified for the North Football Final last Monday evening in Portroe when they earned a hard-fought victory over near-neighbours Burgess. Playing against the wind in the first half Ballina got the upper hand and dominated possession for a fifteen minute period when they established a ten point lead with some well-taken scores including goals from Conan O’Sullivan and Brian Connolly. However shortly before half time Burgess grabbed a goal to keep in touch and followed up early in the second half with a brace of points to cut Ballina’s lead to five. Ballina responded with a point from Daniel Joslin but Burgess converted a penalty to put real pressure on Ballina going into the last few minutes. The teams exchanged a further two points but despite coming under intense pressure, the Ballina defence held out to record a three point victory.

U14 Update

Ballina U14s have enjoyed a great run in their football league, winning 3 of the 4 scheduled fixtures, with the final match against Templederry to be rescheduled. Semi-finals are expected to take place in the coming week with preparations continuing at regular training sessions on Monday at 6.45 and Saturday at 1:00. Preparations continue for the hurling league which begins in June. An U13 hurling challenge match against Ahane was held last Sunday. It was the proverbial game of two halves, with a great performance in the first half giving Ballina a substantial lead. True to their form though, Ahane staged a determined fightback and took the fixture with the final score, against a weakened second half Ballina team.

U12 Update

The U12 boys have been on a bit of an adventure in recent weeks. After two first round losses, things finally turned our way earning the boys a quarter-final spot in the North Tipp Premier Games. The lads duly overcame Moneygall in the quarter-final, before accounting comfortably for a fancied Borrisoleigh in the semi-final which earned them a shot at a North Football title. The boys played the final last Saturday in Toomevara with Lorrha providing the opposition. Although the boys finished on the losing side in the final, they bowed out at the very last stage and to an exceptional team. Full credit must go to the Lorrha club for the preparation of their boys who were well worth their victory. CLG Béal an Átha congratulates Lorrha on a fine performance. Worthy winners.

Although tears were shed at the final whistle, there are many who can be extremely proud of their individual performances over the three games. Joseph McEvoy and Corey Ryan literally terrorised defences on a regular basis. If Micheál O’Muircheartaigh had been commentating at these matches, he might have said: “Conor Power to Matthew Power, no relation. These two boys showed plenty of maturity as they combined over and over again. Tadhg Maguire and Josh Egan were a virtual wall at the back and Robbie Breen and Cian Neil anticipated every single move that was made. Cameron MacAuley, Ben Wallace and Jack McEvoy each took the ball on with little regard for their own welfare and won plenty of frees. Luke Kennedy played in goals with great credit at times and was understudy to a superb keeper in Neil Webster. Neil was assured and composed always and his craft got his team out of a tight spot more than once. Leon Kerin-Galvin and Sam Loughran both offered that little bit of class around the half-backline more than once.

U10 Update:

U9&1/2 Community Games Football

Ballina 6 -3 Inane Rover 0-4

After some confusion on the age limit Ballina mustered together a team for Community games match on Wednesday against a highly fancied Inane Rovers Team.

The pedigree of the Inane team could not be disputed with Inane defending their Community Games County title crown and bidding to make it four in a row. The full back line of David Coughlan , Braoin Cleary and Kevin McMahon were always in control. The half back line of Jack Collins, Shane Kelly and Cian Oakley covered well and distributed good ball to the mid field pairing of Ian Larkin and Cathal O Donnell who were well support by their half forward line of James Frahill, Brian Bourke and Shane O Connell. The victory would not have been possible without the huge contribution of our four girls on the panel Zoe Loughran, Ellen O Donnell, Caitlin McEvoy and Calahan Keogh who kept the pressure on the Inane backs preventing them from getting good clearances. Charlie King and Luke Graham’s introduction into the second have added fresh legs to the Ballina team and cemented the victory.

This was a huge team effort with every one playing their part. On the day the most notable displays came from David Coughlan and Shane Kelly in defense, mid field paring of Ian Larkin and Cathal O Donnell , a brace of goals from Shane O Connel in the forwards supported by Caitlin McEvoy, Oisin Pepper in goals for the first half and in midfield for the second half.

The Panel for the game was

Oisin Pepper , David Coughlan, Braoin Cleary, Kevin McMahon, Cian Oakley, Shane Kelly, Jack Collins, Ian Larkin, Cathal O Donnell, James Frahill, Brian Bourke, Shane O Connell, Ellen O Donnell, Zoe Loughran, Caitlin McEvoy , Calahan Keogh, Luke Graham , Charlie King