BALLYSTEEN GAA CLUB NOTES

Junior Football

Our Junior Footballers played out an enthralling West Junior B Football Championship Final against Knockaderry last Thursday night under the lights of Mick Neville Park. After 80 minutes of football there was no separating the sides and a replay will have to be played to decide the title.

We started brightly and took an early four-point lead thanks to a point from Anthony Ryan and before Paul Doyle roofed his shot for the opening goal. The difficult conditions didn’t hinder both sides from playing attacking football and Knockaderry settled into the game and got their first goal after ten minutes to reduce the gap to two. Playing with the aid of the breeze in the first half, we took control of the match and our second goal from Alan McGrath along with pointed efforts from Mike Neville and the aforementioned McGrath saw us retire to the dressing room with a seven-point lead. The half time score was 2-6 to 1-2 in our favour.

Conditions in the second half proved more problematic, with the pitch and the ball becoming more slippy. Knockaderry grew in ascendency throughout the period outscoring us by 1-5 to a point in the opening 15 minutes of the second half to draw level. However, our lads managed to halt the momentum and a point from Jack Neville had us back in front. In what was a frantic finish, it looked like Knockaderry were going to win when they sent over two late points to lead by one. There was still time for drama and when the referee gave Ballysteen a chance to level the game and force it to extra time following a foul on the ball from the Knockaderry goalkeeper. All eyes turned to fix on Mike Neville, who despite the tough angle and pressure, duly kicked the ball over the bar to level the game.

The extra time period further added to the occasion as both teams continued to attack looking to land the knockout blow. Knockaderry’s long range point taking in the first period saw them lead by four points at the change of ends. In the second period, the men from Ballysteen fought gallantly to reduce the deficit to a goal, when Neville managed to point another free. There was still time for further drama, in the final, as Ballysteen were awarded a late. With time almost up, there was no option but to drop the ball into the square and hope for the best. The never say die attitude of our lads was rewarded when the ball managed to find its way to the net to force the sides level again with the referee blowing for full time after the kickout. A mix of relief and disappointment greeted the full-time whistle for both sides as both will feel they could have won the game on the night. However, a replay will be needed to decide who will be crowned West Champions for 2019. At this time, there is no confirmed date, time or venue for the replay. Well done to our team who were captained by Pakie Neville and managed by Alan Kehoe and Shane Hallinan on what was an outstanding performance on the night.

Team: J. Moran; C. Anglim, A. O’Shaughnessy, E. Condon; C. Daly, R. Whelan, R. Somers; P. Vaughan, D. Holland; M. Neville, D. Ryan, A. McGrath ; P. Neville ©, A. Ryan, P. Doyle.

Subs: G. O’Donnell, J. Hartigan, C. Rushe, K. Barry, J. Neville, E. O’Donoghue, S. Hanley, J. Blackwell, J. Duggan.

Fixtures & Training

Our U21 Footballers continue preparations for their upcoming campaign with training on Saturday in Ballysteen. Details of fixtures will be posted in the coming weeks.

Our Senior Footballers have qualified for the West Senior Championship Final and we are currently awaiting fixture confirmation from the West Board. Best of luck to all involved.

Our Junior Footballers have qualified for the Junior B County Championship Quarter Final, courtesy of their West Final appearance. At the moment, we are fixed to play this match next Tuesday (22nd October). More details will be posted on our media channels as soon as it becomes available.

Dinner Dance

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting an end of season dance on Saturday November 30th at The Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West. Music on the night will be provided by Kevin McCarthy and a disco will follow. Tickets are €25 and must be booked in advance. Contact any Club officer for further details.

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

Picture – Courtesy of Paul Anglim

Ballysteen Junior B West Football Championship Finalists 2019

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