BALLINACURRA GAELS GAA CLUB NOTES
U14 Football
There was great excitement in Ballinacurra last Wednesday with the return of U14 Football after an absence of more than a decade.
We welcomed Cois Laoi Gaels to the field and it was the visitors who started stronger and quickly built up a two point lead. Ballinacurra then got up to the pace of the game and our dynamic quartet of Sean Fitzpatrick, Fionn Casserly, Jed O’Dwyer & Sam Connolly began to move the ball with real purpose. Our opening score was a well taken point from Luke Ryan quickly followed by a goal from Fionn Casserly & Ballinacurra took a deserved lead.
Experience began to show at this point as Cois Laoi Gaels dug deep and put us under huge pressure as the half progressed. Our full back line of Joe Buckley, Mark Stapleton & Fergus Bell along with goal keeper Amir Al Mukhtar worked tirelessly & showed great bravery but could do nothing to prevent the visitors scoring three quick goals as half time drew near. A well taken goal by Rory Watts left the score 2-1 to 5-6 at the break.
Challenged by their coaches to win the second half the boys roared back into action with half-backs Paddy Ryan and captain Tola Bowen McCurtin setting the tone with their constant harrying of the ball. Fionn Casserly raised another green flag with a clever free rewarding good work from Jack Downes under the high ball. Jed O’Dwyer’s endless running was rewarded with a goal late on followed by a well worked strike from Marcus O’Donoghue.
With no subs available energy levels inevitably began to drop but our boys left the field with heads held high after edging the second half 3-0 to 2-2 leaving a final score of 5-1 to 7-8. It was an exceptional performance for a first outing and we look forward to the improvements that more matches will clearly bring.
Ballinacurra Gaels thank all those involved with Cois Laoi Gaels and wish them well for the remainder of season. Special thanks to all our supporters on the night, particularly the injured Conor Quaid who is looking forward to joining up with the panel in time for our next match.
U10 Football Blitz
Well done to our U10s who played very well against both Monaleen and Mungret in the Football blitz held in St. Patrick’s, Rhebogue.
U14 Hurling
Well done to U14 hurlers Sam Connolly, Joe Buckley, Tola Bowen McCurtin & Marcus O’Donoghue who competed in Feile hurling on Sat April 13th with South Liberties. They finished a superb second in a tough group comprising St Patrick’s, Kilpeacon and group winners Bruff. Best wishes to Bruff in their upcoming quarter final & we wish a speedy recovery to their Eoin who was injured in our game against them.
Cúl Camp
We will hold our Cúl Camp from Monday July 1st – Friday July 05th this year at our grounds in Ballinacurra Gardens. You can book your place now through the Club or at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/booking/online/
Training
Training for U-6s, U-8s, U-10s and U-11s in both hurling and Gaelic Football continues every Tuesday evening from 6.30pm at our grounds in Ballinacurra Gardens. New players always welcome – just drop in!