Ballintubber GAA Club News
September 04, 2008
BALLINTUBBER AND BALLAGHADEREEN CLASH AT McHALE PARK
T.F. Royal Hotel & Theatre Senior Championship Quarter-Final
Ballintubber Senior team face their toughest task to date in the County Senior Championship of 2008 when they clash with Ballaghaderreen next weekend. The throw in is at 6:30pm on Saturday evening, September 6th in McHale Park and a big contingent of supporters from both clubs is expected. The game is preceded by another mouth-watering encounter between Crossmolina and Breaffyat 5:00pm.
Amazingly for a club with a wonderful underage record of success, it is the first time since 1977 that Ballintubber has reached this stage of the Senior Championship. In the last 31 years Ballintubber have remained predominately, a strong Intermediate side, although they seen to have taken this step up to senior level in their stride under the dedicated Management of Tony Duffy and James Horan. Wins against Garrymore and Moy Davitts see them qualify from their group and into the County Senior Championship quarter finals. Their other game in the group resulted in a loss to a classy Charlestown outfit but the Abbeysiders showed good character in bouncing back from that defeat.
Ballaghaderreen on the other hand have remained senior team for the last number of years. They have are one of the stronger senior sides in the county and just 2 years ago they reached the County Senior Final. In that final they were very unlucky not to beat a seasoned Crossmolina team after a replay. In this years Championship Ballaghaderreen easily overcame Shrule-Glencorrib and a sticky Kiltane side to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Their last game in the group saw them draw with Breaffy in a heated battle where unfortunately the two Kilcullen brothers were shown the line with straight red cards.
The last time Ballintubber and Ballaghaderreen met was three years ago in a league game played in Ballaghaderreen in April 2005. Ballintubber walked away winners by a four-point margin in a game where a young Alan Dillon played a pivotal role. That game though will have little relevance on Saturday evening next. Since then Ballaghaderreen have won three Under 21 "A" titles and have been aspiring most of all in recent seasons for a Senior Championship title. Ballaghaderreen will be hoping to keep those dreams alive with a win next Saturday and they will be looking to their county star, Andy Moran to lead them to victory. Other talented players such as Barry Kelly at midfield and Barry Regan at full forward are expected to lead the way.
An interesting feature is that the last time Ballintubber were promoted to senior grade in 1990, Ballaghaderreen were relegated in the same year. In contrast, this year Ballaghaderreen look seasoned, mature and they deserve their tag as strong favourites while a youthful Ballintubber are blossoming fast and looking more like a senior team in every game. While Ballintubber will be quietly confident of taking another big scalp in this years Championship, it is anticipated by most of the media pundits that Ballaghaderreen are more that capable of marching into the Senior Championship Semi Finals. Time will tellÖcould a championship shock be on the cards?
Ballintubber GAA Lotto
The Ballintubber GAA Club Lotto jackpot reached grew even further over the weekend after the last draw had no winner of the Ä16100 jackpot!! Next Saturday nights draw is in Kate Kellys on Saturday night September 6th. The Jackpot reaches a very attractive Ä16250 with the usual consolation prizes. Consequently this jackpot has become the highest jackpot in the Club's history. So don't miss out on a chance making history by buying your ticket online or in various shops and pubs in the parish to be in with a great chance of scooping the lot.
Mayo Minors
Well done to Mayo minors Ray Geraghty and Dean Gavin who both contributed to the victory against Kerry in the All-Ireland Minor Semi Final on Saturday! They will now face Tyrone on Sunday 21st of September in the All Ireland Minor final in Croke Park.
Good Luck AbbeySiders
Best of luck to Ballintubber Senior team as they take on Ballaghaderreen in the Senior Club Quarter Final next Saturday evening in McHale park at 630. Please show your support for Ballintubber in this game, which is one of the biggest in the clubs history.
Fixtures
T.F. Royal Hotel & Theatre Senior Championship Quarter-Final
Saturday 6th September - 6:30pm
Ballintubber V Ballaghaderreen Ref : Martin Murphy in McHale park, Castlebar.
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