BALLYSTEEN GAA CLUB NOTES

Senior Football

Last Saturday, we began our Limerick Senior Football Championship campaign. Our opponents, Ballylanders, ended our interest in the 2018 Championship, which provided the lads with plenty of motivation. From early on, we set the tempo and played an expansive and attacking brand of football with Mark Ranahan opening our account early on. The opening 10 minutes were tight and even before Danny Neville found the net for our first goal of the game. Danny slotted home neatly low into corner following good build up play from a kickout. After that goal we hit our purple patch and started to dominate the game. We kept the scoreboard ticking over with points from Sean Whelan and Shane Gallagher and as we neared half time, Gallagher found the net twice in quick succession to give us a healthy half time advantage 3-7 to 0-4.

The second half saw Ballylanders make a positive start kicking the first two points. However, we kept our composure and continued to use the ball effectively. Danny Neville and Darragh Ranahan were troubling the Ballylanders defence any time they got the ball and the defence was being well marshalled by Jason Daly and Cillian Ferris. With ten minutes to go, the game was effectively over as a contest as we led by 15 points and Ballylanders reduced to 14 men. Luke Gammell and Bill Casey were introduced to make their Senior Championship debuts and fitted in seamlessly into the game as the last ten minutes were played with the result assured. The full-time score was 3-13 to 0-7.

Team: Conor Ranahan, Jason Daly, Pa Ranahan, Kevin McMahon, John O’Shaughnessy, Cillian Ferris, Matthew O’Meara, Jamie O’Sullivan, James O’Meara, Sean Whelan, Mark Ranahan, Shane Hallinan, Danny Neville, Shane Gallagher, Darragh Ranahan.

Subs Used: Luke Gammell, Bill Casey, Maurice Somers.

This Friday night, we are playing Monaleen in Round 2. Throw in at Kilbreedy is set for 8pm. A victory would set us up nicely before the Championship break. Monaleen lost their opening match to reigning champions Adare, however, over the last number of years they have had the upper hand when we have played them.

Best of luck to our panel of players, led by Anthony Ryan, Danny Fitzgerald, Cathal Anglim and John Neville, with John Blackwell as S&C coach, and co-captained by Danny Neville and Mark Ranahan. The players have put in a massive effort over the last number of months and deserve support for the coming Championship.

Premier Minor Football Championship

The PMFC has been restructured and new fixtures are being made. Further details will be published on our Twitter and Facebook feeds as soon as they are confirmed.

Presentation

Last Friday night, Ballysteen GAA welcomed Ed Somers and his friends from America back to the club. Six years ago, Ed visited the club and was so impressed with the setup and the spirit of the community within the GAA that he became a Club Member. John Anglim presented Ed with a plaque in recognition of his support throughout the last six years.

Do It For Diarmuid Quiz

Following our Championship match on Friday we are hosting a quiz with Askeaton GAA as part of Do It For Diarmuid. Former player and friend Diarmuid Barron was diagnosed with cancer upon returning home from New Zealand. This news has shocked everyone associated with the club, but we are determined to support Diarmuid and his partner Jenna through this time. The Quiz will take place in Cagney’s Bar, Askeaton at 10pm and teams of four cost €40. All at the club

Club Limerick Draw

Ballysteen GAA Club is now promoting the Club Limerick Draw for 2019. Cost €100 for 10 monthly draws first draw April 6th. By joining the draw, you have a chance to win 31 prizes monthly ranging from €12000 to €100. Your membership of Ballysteen GAA Club entitles you to be included in a draw for tickets for matches where demand exceeds supply i.e. Munster & All Ireland Finals etc. Your subscription of which Ballysteen GAA receives €50 will be used to run the club and facilitate the training of our teams.

Contact Alan Kehoe (0871237562) or John Anglim (0862362642) for more information.

Club Membership

For anyone who doesn’t want to join the Club Limerick Draw cost of Club Membership for 2019 will be €50 (Adult) & €25 (Minor). This will cover training and insurance costs for players and give priority for All Ireland tickets when necessary. Members can also join together to take part in the Limerick Club draw by combining their €50 membership and be in with chance of winning cash prizes every month. For more information contact Alan Kehoe (0871237562) or John Anglim (0862362642).

Congratulations to Ed Somers who was our lucky winner of the paid-up Club Members draw held was held last week.

National League

Well done to William O’Meara and the Limerick Senior Hurling team, managed by John Kiely, who won the 2019 National Hurling League Final last Sunday. Everyone in the club is extremely proud of William and his achievements with the County so far. All attention will turn now to the Championship with hopefully a good summer is in store for both our Senior Hurling and Football intercounty teams.

Parish GAA Book

The Club will be releasing a book on the history of the GAA in the Askeaton-Ballysteen parish. If anyone has old photographs or stories regarding GAA in the parish, contact Paul Anglim.

Club Shop

A wide range of club merchandise can be purchased from the O’Neills online store at the following address

https://www.oneills.com/shop-…/…/ireland/ballysteen-gaa.html

Facebook and Twitter

You can stay up to date with Ballysteen GAA by adding us on Facebook or following on Twitter @BallysteenGAA