Junior Football Championship

Ballinagore 2-11  Ballynacargy 2-13

We played our old rivals, Ballynacargy, in the opening round of the championship on Saturday evening in Rochfortbridge. Our lads started well and we held a 0-04 to 0-01 lead after the opening quarter. However Ballynacargy stormed back into the game with three points to draw level and shortly afterwards they struck for their first goal when a high ball in was flicked home. We were creating plenty of chances ourselves but were guilty of taking the wrong option at times however the right option was taken when a long ball into David Keegan saw him put Brandon Carey through on goal and Brandon cooly finished to leave the sides level, 1-04 apiece, at the break. We got the opening score of the second half, but it was our opponents who began to dominate shortly afterwards and they opened up what seemed to be an unassailable lead by the twenty minute stage to lead by 2-11 to 1-07. We had David Keegan black carded at this stage and things looked bleak. However, we put in a storming final ten minutes with Paddy Ennis to the fore as we dragged ourselves back into contention. A long ball in from Rory Tynan was collected by Paddy out wide and he picked out Darren Rigney with an accurate pass for Darren to fire to the net. For the next few minutes we laid siege on Ballynacargy, and Paddy Ennis scored three points from play to level affairs with just minutes left. A contentious free was awarded close in to Ballynacargy and they duly scored to take the lead in injury time. With us pressing up for an equaliser, we were caught on the counter and the Ballynacargy corner back cooly finished to give them a two point win and claim the two points on offer. Our lads will be disappointed not to have taken something from the game however we will look back and take plenty of learning points from it while the character our lads showed to claw their way back into the game was highly commendable. Team: Ryan O'Hehir, Finian Heeney, Enda Claffey, Robbie Keegan, Kieran Deegan, James Sheerin, Paddy Doody, Eoin Deegan, Frankie Deegan, Conan Feery, Darren Rigney, Paddy Ennis, Enda Kenny, David Keegan, Brandon Carey. Subs: Rory Tynan, Robert Gannon, Peter Deegan, Marty Linnane, Ian Seery, Declan Claffey, Shane Heraty, James Durkan, Tommy Kelly, Mark Claffey.

 

Minor Football League

The past week has been a very busy one for Lilliput Gaels minor footballers with three league games down for decision. We started off with a disappointing three point defeat away to Tubberclair but followed it up with two great wins over Caulry and Garrycastle to leave us right back in contention with two games to come against Athlone and Moate.

 

Lilliput Gaels 2-16 Tubberclair 4-13

Our minor footballers travelled to Tubberclair on Monday evening to take on the home side in this back fixture. On a lovely evening for football, this game was entertaining from start to finish with great passages of play by both sides throughout. Both sides traded points in the opening stages. After ten minutes of action, with us leading 0-04 to 0-03, we were rocked back as Tubberclair struck for two well taken goals in quick succession. We stuck to our task though and responded well with points from Eoin Glennon, Conor Murphy and a long distance effort from Morgan Gavigan but a third Tubberclair goal just before half time left us six points behind at the break, 3-05 to 0-08. We had a good start to the second half with two early points but shortly afterwards, we were struck with another hammer blow as we conceded a soft fourth goal. To their credit, our lads took the game to our opponents for the remainder of the game and we stormed back with goals from Darragh Seery and substitute Luke Seery. We had further chances for goals but the Tubberclair goalkeeper was alert on each occasion and pulled off some great saves. We also kicked a few bad wides as we piled on the pressure to tie the game. Unfortunately, time ran out for us in the end and we were defeated by a goal, 2-16 to 4-13. This was a very spirited performance by our lads who showed great resolve to fight back after the concession of four goals. Next up is a home game against Caulry in Ballinagore on Wednesday evening. Team: Jamie Keenan, Mark Killian, Conal Fagan, Tiernan McMahon, Fergal O'Brien, Morgan Gavigan, Zach Wright, Paddy Doran, Darragh Seery, David Jackson, Eoin Glennon, Conor Murphy, Barry Bolger, Mark Kiernan, Jack Gallagher. Sub: Luke Seery.

 

Lilliput Gaels 2-13 Caulry 2-09

We welcomed the league leaders, Caulry, to a damp Ballinagore on Wednesday evening in our latest minor league fixture. Our lads started the game confidently and with our backs holding a strong Caulry forward division well, we had good possession where we wanted it and while we were creating plenty of chances, we struggled to put many scores on the board. A well finished Eoin Glennon goal separated the sides after a low scoring first half. Half time score was 1-04 to 0-04. We managed to maintain our lead in the second half. Caulry had a player dismissed after a second yellow midway through the half and this seemed to harden their resolve as they pushed hard at us and were rewarded with two goals. However, well taken points by Jack Gallagher, Conor Murphy, Darragh Seery and Warwic Kirby, along with an excellent goal by Morgan Gavigan was enough to see us over the line. Our next game is on Sunday morning at 11:00 away to Garrycastle. We want to wish the Caulry player who was injured during the second half a speedy recovery. Team: Lorcan Kiernan, Zach Wright, Cian Gavigan, Fergal O'Brien, Tiernan McMahon, Darragh Seery, David Jackson, Morgan Gavigan, Paddy Doran, Barry Bolger, Peter Reynolds, Conor Murphy, Jack Gallagher, Eoin Glennon, Conall Fagan. Subs: Warwic Kirby, Mark Killian, Mark Kiernan, Harry Ripley, Cody Finnane, Luke Seery.

 

Lilliput Gaels 4-21 Garrycastle 0-10

Our minor footballers travelled to a sunny Garrycastle to play the home side on Sunday morning. Our opponents were depleted on the day but our lads stuck to their task and attacked from the start. Playing fast and open football and with great first time ball being kicked into a lively forward line, we were picking up some very well taken scores to lead by 3-10 to 0-05 at the break. We continued to dominate the second half with further great points and a well finished goal by Conor Murphy to seal a big win and leave us with four wins out of five outings. Team: Jamie Keenan, Cian Gavigan, Conal Fagan, Fergal O'Brien, Darragh Seery, Tiernan McMahon, Paddy Doran, Morgan Gavigan, David Jackson, Peter Reynolds, Conor Murphy, Jack Gallagher, Eoin Glennon, Warric Kirby, Luke Seery.

 

U8 and U10 Blitz

Our U8 and U10 footballers hosted Kilbeggan Shamrocks and St Josephs in Ballinagore on Tuesday evening. A great evening of football was enjoyed by all and everyone was treated to refreshments afterwards. Well done to the players and those who helped out on the evening.

 

Fixtures

U16 Football Championship vs Shandonagh in Ballinagore on Monday 15th July at 7pm

U12 Football League vs Cill Oige in Ballinagore on Wednesday 24th July at 7pm

U14 Football Championship vs Shandonagh in Shandonagh on Thursday 25th July at 7pm

U16 Football Championship vs Kinnegad in Kinnegad on Monday 29th July at 7pm

 

Jersey Sponsorship

Our junior team wore their new jerseys and training tops for the first time at the weekend and there has been very positive feedback to date on how well both jersey and tops look! We will be doing a formal presentation in due course but an initial word of thanks to Rennicks Ireland for their very generous sponsorship towards our club.

 

Club Meeting

There will be a general meeting of club members on Wednesday 24th July at 9pm in the club house. All members are asked to attend.

 

Club Lotto

Last weeks winning numbers were 7, 14, 16 and 23. Amanda Coroon was a match three winner. Jackpot remains at €15,700. We've had match three winners every week for the last number of weeks, maybe somebody will get that last remaining number correct and claim the jackpot so make sure you're in with your chance to win. Contact Sean Delaney or Martin McCann if you want to support our club lotto.

 

Fleadh Ceoil

Well done to all local competitors who took to the stages at the Leinster Fleadh in Rathcairn, Co. Meath over the weekend. From set dancing to music, song and story telling, there was great local talent taking part representing Castletown Geoghegan Comhaltas. Our congratulations to Shane Heraty on winning the Leinster title for male singing for his third time. Busy as ever Shane then had to dash back to tog out in Rochfortbridge later that afternoon.

 

Well Done Zach

Well done to minor footballer, Zach Wright, who climbed the Croghan Hill 40 (yes, FORTY!) times over the weekend as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Ireland. It is the equivalent of Mount Everest or Carrauntoohil x 9 so was some achievement. Zach raised a huge amount of money for Special Olympics Ireland and we were happy to support Zach and congratulate him on yet another magnificent achievement.

 

Birthday Wishes

We send birthday wishes to Lisa Ennis who celebrated her 30th at the weekend.

 

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