Senior Football Championship
Congratulations to the management and players of the senior footballers, who got their championship campaign off to a good start with a 1-9 to 0-11 win over Gracefield at O'Connor Park last Sunday. The foundations for the victory were laid in the full back line, who all performed incredibly well, while a first half goal for John Mollen, supplied by Joe Maher, was critical. A backs to the wall effort in the second half ensured that everyone had their nails bitten down to the last by the time Martin Carty sounded the final whistle, but the result is all that matters and the players can now look forward to their second round clash with Tullamore knowing that the first two points are safely secured.

Team and Scorers:
David Lowry; Saran Butler, Conor Lowry, Liam Browne; James Nally, Shane Nally (0-1), Brian Grehan; Paddy Moore, Kieran McManus; John Mollen (1-1), Ronan Daly (0-1), Gerry Grehan; Eoghan Lowry (0-3, 2f), Joe Maher (0-3, 2f), Aaron McDonagh. Subs Used: Aidan Keenaghan, Colin Egan, Eddie Lowry.

Junior Football Championship
Well done also to the Junior footballers, who came through a really tough test against a good Daingean team and recorded an equally vital 1-8 to 0-10 victory. Declan Killian and Diarmuid Carroll's leadership at midfield was crucial while a second half goal for Mikey Butler gave Ferbane the impetus they needed to get over the line. Darragh Keenaghan also made a serious case for inclusion in the county minor team this Saturday after an excellent display from centre forward.

Team and Scorers:
Ronan Cassidy; George Phibbs, Aidan Egan, Steven Wren (0-1); Darren Kelly, Joe Butler, Brian Gilligan; Declan Killian, Diarmuid Carroll (0-1); Shane Costello (0-1), Darragh Keenaghan (0-1), Declan Cooney (0-1); Jonathan Duffy (0-3, 2f), Gerry O'Malley, Mikey Butler (1-0). Subs used: Gavin Kelly, Alan Kelly.

Division 3 Football League
The Junior footballers kept up their good run of results with another victory in the league on Wednesday evening, beating Tubber in a high scoring encounter, 2-15 to 3-10. Neither the rain nor the wind stopped the scores from coming thick and fast in a game where Ferbane never trailed, but still were never out of sight. Two second half penalties kept Tubber in touch, but goals from David Lowry and Jonathan Duffy in the second half kept the team in front right up until the end. A crucial save from Ronan Cassidy and a goal-line block from David Lowry were also critical as Tubber charged forward in search of a fourth goal in the closing stages.

The team that lined out was:
Paul Wynne; Alan Kelly, Willie Farrell Brian Gilligan; Darren Kelly, Gavin Kelly, Joe Butler (0-1); Paddy Moore, Declan Killian (0-3); Declan Cooney (0-1), David Lowry (1-2), Shane Costello; Jonathan Duffy (1-4, 3f), Mikey Butler (0-2), Dermot Daly (0-1).
Subs used were Ronan Cassidy, Diarmuid Carroll (0-1), Merrick Daly, Jamie Brazil

Championship Fixtures
The first round of the senior and junior championships have been arranged, with Ferbane's teams in action on Sunday and Monday evening of the bank holiday weekend. The senior footballers will line out on Sunday evening (5th May) at 5.30pm in O'Connor Park against Gracefield, following the Erin Rovers vs Ballycumber match that will immediately precede the fixture, throwing in at 4pm. Our last meeting with the Blackthorns in the championship was the county championship quarter final in 2011 that went narrowly the wrong way, and all supporters are urged to come along and help the lads in their bid to avenge that defeat.

The junior footballers will open their championship on Monday evening, 6th May, with a home tie against Daingean at 6pm. Daingean are generally very strong at this level as this is their first team, so all players are urged to do their best to be available and fully ready for what should be another very tough battle.

League Fixture
The senior footballers return to action on Sunday the 19th May, with Rhode set to visit Ferbane for a game scheduled to throw in at 12 noon.

Good Luck
Best of Luck to the Offaly minor footballers who will play Kildare in Newbridge, and to all the Ferbane/Belmont minor club players involved. Best of luck also to the Belmont hurlers, who take on Coolderry on Sunday afternoon in Birr.

Lotto
The numbers drawn in this week's Lotto draw, which took place on Wednesday night, were 8, 14, 15 and 23. The bonus number was 5. There were no match three winners, so Kay Flynn, Niamh Waldron, Nathan Carroll, Mick Connolly and Mary Kinnarney all received book prizes. Tweet

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