Weekly News Sept 24th 2012

Post date: Sep 24, 2012 10:27:54 AM

U 12 Football

The U12 Boys kicked off what was to become a fantastic weekend for the club, They took part in Newport’s U12 football tournament starting off with a tough game against Ballinahinch and then a cliff hanger against Newport resulting in our boys winning both and taking home the Cup. Well done to all involved,

U 10 Camogie Blitz

At the same time the club hosted the 2^nd Annual U10 Camogie blitz, 6 teams played out this tournament with the Ballina Blue team retaining the trophy after a hard fought win over Silvermines in the A final, the commitment from all the girls and standard of Camogie was of a very high level and just shows the great work the Camogie club are doing with the girls.. Well done must also go to the younger Ballina red team who despite being physically smaller than their opposition managed to show great level of skill and fought hard all the way in each match. They had one fantastic victory over Cappamore, but lost out to Silvermines and then to Sixmilebridge in the B final

North U16B Hurling Champions 2012

Next up was the Ballina U16s who hurlers beat a fine Burgess side to become champions of North Tipperary in the U16B hurling championship in sun-drenched Nenagh on Saturday afternoon. This was as fine a game of hurling as one could wish to see in any grade and had bravery, skill, drama, extra time and lots and lots of scores. Ballina seemed to have the advantage of the first half wind but after dominating and taking their scores well, they went in only a point up after a rather fortuitous Burgess goal just before half-time. Despite this set-back, Ballina emerged after half time with the bit firmly between their teeth and tacked on two early points before Brian Connolly made the hard yards down the middle before laying off a perfectly-timed pass to the support runner - Terry O'Halloran who not - for the first time this year - finished impressively to the net.

Ballina now seemed to be coasting but credit to Burgess, they rallied and scored two goals in the space of ten minutes to leave very little between the sides entering the last five minutes of normal time. Burgess were now in the ascendancy and were cutting open a clearly tired Ballina with ease. When they went ahead on the stroke of normal time, it would have been easy to believe that the script had already been written and that the team wearing green and gold were going to be the victors. I mentioned bravery and none showed it more than Ballina's very own Usain Bolt - Phelim O'Hagan. When he got possession in the middle of the field and took off down the wing, many imagined he might drop it in and hope for the best. Instead he took on the responsibility and fired the ball high and accurately over the bar to level the tie. Cue extra time and relief for the men in blue and white. With 30 weary bodies out there, it was going to be a tough test. Burgess started the extra time with great tenacity and had a goal and a point to Ballina's solitary point heading to half time in extra time. Once again we saw the Ballina spirit with Ben King finishing cleverly to the net. Another point was added leaving it all square with the final ten minutes left. James Murtagh who was impeccable from frees all day continued to deliver the goods and the two midfielders Thomas Conway and Conor Maguire ran themselves into the ground. Ballina did all the scoring in the final ten minutes with Thomas McGrath contributing two fine points and special mention must go to Ballina's Eoin Slattery who despite earlier setbacks backed himself to collect the ball turn his man and fire over an inspirational score and seal the deal for a famous victory for club and parish. Conor Maguire who played a captains part collected the trophy in front of the jubilant team and supporters. Well done all ! U16s out again next Sat in County Semi-final V Killenaule

Intermediates county Championship 2012

The weekend was then topped off by the Intermediates winning the County Quarterfinal against a very tough Clonakenny side. This was a closely contested affair, like the under 16 final extra time was required to get a result. Down 2 points, and down to 14 players Ballina put on an excellent display of hurling in the 2^nd half, the game ended in a draw, 1-12 to 0-15 for Clonakenny. In extra time Ballina looked the fitter team and managed to score 3 goals and eventually went on to win by eight points.