Intermediate Football Relegation Play-off
Ballinagore 1-10 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-11
We took on Mullingar Shamrocks last Sunday in Moate in our most important fixture of the year, to save our intermediate status. Preparations had been going well in the lead up into this game but we had been dealt a few hammer blows with recent injuries to team captain, Rory Tynan and David Slevin. On the Friday evening, Kieran Deegan suffered a serious eye injury at training which ruled him out of the game. Tommy McDaniel's ankle injury was not recovering sufficiently for him to start so with all this in mind, we were quite worried about the outcome of this game. That said, a strong and determined team emerged onto the field in Moate with a steely determination to win and following sixty minutes of high's, low's, tension, drama and excitement, that's exactly what our heroes did against a plucky and game town side. Ballinagore started strong and took the game to our opponents straight from the throw in when a long Frankie Deegan delivery resulted in a pointed free. As both teams settled and with the score at two points apiece, Paddy Doody, who gave an magnificent performance throughout, ghosted up the field from half back and struck for the games only goal. This was followed up with some great points, a Brandon Carey 45 and another from Paddy Doody off the outside of his boot, leaving us in control. Mullingar Shamrocks were creating chances but pressure from our backline resulted in a number of wides for them. Half time score was 1-06 to 0-04. The second half started and our opponents quickly demonstrated that they were not throwing in the towel with two early points. This good start gave Shamrocks great confidence and we struggled to lift our game and stem the tide. They continued to pick off their scores and were level midway through. At this point, Tommy McDaniel entered the fray and we hoped his ankle would stand the test. He passed with flying colours as his first contribution was a great point from play following good approach work from Brandon Carey and Niall Kelly. Shamrocks levelled again but soon after, but two pointed frees from McDaniel - one from in front of the goal, the other from near the sideline half way to Athlone - gave us a lead we were to hold on to. The game ended with some stout defending from our lads as a frustrated town side were kept at bay. As the final whistle sounded, the sense of joy, relief and celebration was clearly visible for all present as this brave side managed yet again to defy the odds and retain our intermediate status. Well done to all the team and team management on a great victory. Commiserations and thanks to a fine Mullingar Shamrocks side for a very sporting and competitive game. Team: Cathal Daly, Dan Gavin, Marty Linnane, Enda Claffey, Paddy Doody, Michael Ennis, James Sheerin, Frankie Deegan, Eoin Miller, Cathal Ennis, Brandon Carey, Paul Maloney, Ian Seery, Niall Kelly, Ciaran Carey. Subs used: Tommy McDaniel, David Slevin, Shane Heraty. Rest of Panel: Robert Gannonm, Paddy Ennis, Declan Claffey, Stewart Gavin, Willie Gavin

U12 Football
Our U12 football team played two games in the last week. On Tuesday evening we travelled in to Lakepoint Park to play St. Loman's. Despite playing well and being only three points behind at half time, we struggled to cope with a strong town side who had very big players in some key positions and this ultimately was the main difference between the sides as we were soundly beaten in the end. On Friday evening we played host to Millmore Gaels in the Garrycastle tournament. This turned out to be a very exciting game of football with a most dramatic finish for the large crowd assembled in Ballinagore. We were 1-03 to 1-06 behind at half time but our lads played some great football in the second half to go into the lead. However our opponents scored a goal on a break upfield to leave them a point up with only minutes remaining. Great credit to our lads though as they pressed continuously and were rewarded with the final four points of the game to win on a 2-10 to 2-07 scoreline. Our thanks to Frankie Deegan for doing a great job in refereeing this game for us at short notice!

Congratulations
The club extends it's warmest congratulations to Pat and Rosemary Heduan on the birth of their baby boy, Niall. Surely full or corner-back material for the future!

Get Well
We'd like to wish a speedy recovery to Kieran Deegan who suffered a nasty eye injury while training last Friday evening. Kieran missed out on playing last Sunday which no doubt will have been a major disappointment to him, as it also was for the rest of us, but it's more important that he was there and is recovering well.

School Centenary
Final preparations are underway for the centenary celebrations. The date is the 28th September and there will be Mass and an Open Day in the school starting at 2pm. A special edition book is being prepared and the organising committee have put in serious time and effort to make it a big success. We can't wait to see the final outcome on the 28th September

And Finally....
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