BALLYSTEEN GAA CLUB NOTES

Senior Football
Last Saturday, we made the short trip to Mick Neville Park to take on Newcastle West in the Quarter Final of the Limerick Senior Football Championship. Despite a gallant effort and performance, we came up just short, losing to our opponents by 3 points on a full time score of 1-10 to 1-07.
The team that started saw one change from the St. Senan’s match with Pakie Moran replacing Shane Gallager. We made a bright start and were rewarded from our early pressure when Danny Neville capitalised on a poor kick-out to finish to the net to give us a 3 point lead. The game then settled into a pattern and the sides retired to the dressing room on a scoreline of 1-3 to 0-3 in our favour. The second half was much the same with both sides probing the opposition and finding scores hard to come by. Shane Gallagher was introduced at half time to replace the injured Jamie O’Sullivan and when he pointed to put us three points ahead as we neared the end it looked like we would be advancing to the semi finals. However, Newcastle West finished strongly and levelled the game with a goal following a speculative high ball into the box. With momentum on their side, Newcastle kicked the last three points of the game to break our resistance and win the match.
This was a disappointing way for our Senior campaign to end but huge credit must go to the management team of Cathal Anglim, Danny Fitzgerald, Johnno Neville, coach Anthony Ryan who prepared the team to the nth degree. And to the panel of players, who have been captained and led throughout the year by Mark Ranahan and Danny Neville, have represented the club with class throughout the year. While the bitter taste of defeat will no doubt take some time to subside, the Championship campaign saw a number of players make their Senior debuts including Brian Neville, Kevin Walsh, Bill Casey, Paul O’Shaughnessy and Luke Gammell to name a few. The experience gained over the last two seasons will no doubt provide motivation to get back on the horse for the 2020 campaign.

Team versus Newcastle West: C. Ranahan; K. McMahon, P. Ranahan, J. Daly; J. O’Shaughnessy, C. Ferris, M. O’Meara; J. O’Sullivan, J. O’Meara; S. Whelan, D. Neville, P. Moran; S. Hallinan, M. Ranahan, D. Ranahan.
Subs used: S. Gallagher, B. Casey, L. Gammell, M. Somers.

Minor Championship
Our Minors take on St. Kierans this Wednesday night in Mick Neville Park in a County Minor Premier Football Championship Quarter Final. Throw in is at 7pm. All support welcome & best of luck to all involved.

Club Limerick Membership
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).

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
New items have been added to the club shop and can be purchased from the O’Neills online store at the following address
https://www.oneills.com/shop-…/…/ireland/ballysteen-gaa.html
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