Intermediate Football Championship
The last week saw our team in action twice. On Tuesday evening we faced up to old rivals, Ballynacargy, in Kinnegad. In recent years, Bal have had the upper hand in these battles but after a hugely exciting game, we emerged victorious on a 3-13 to 1-16 scoreline. This game had a bit of everything with entertainment top of the bill. Three well taken second half goals were key to our success but this was a great team effort all over the pitch to record an all important win. On Sunday we travelled to Milltown to play Rosemount. Again our record has been poor against one of the competitions perennial favourites. A poor start saw us 2-01 to 0-00 down after seven minutes. We settled and kicked some fine scores after that albeit missing three great one on one goal chances in the process. At half time we trailed by four points, 2-05 to 0-07. We lost Tommy McDaniel through injury in that first half also which compounded our woe. In the second half, we missed some early chances before Rosemount gradually took control with 1-03 without reply by the midway stage. Our lads battled gamely to the end but it wasn't to be and our opponents won by 3-11 to 0-08. See match reports for full details. Our final group game is against Moate on Saturday in Kinnegad at 17:30. Please come to support the lads in this important game as given the tight nature of our group, this could possibly decide who qualifies for the knockout stages or relegation.
Underage News
Our U12's fine form this year continued with a good win over Millmore Gaels last Wednesday. This side has only been beaten once so far this year and have been our most consistent age group. Well done to all the panel and their mentors. Our U16's played Athlone in the championship and after a high scoring encounter were defeated by 5-15 to 6-06. This panel are extremely talented and have been training very hard under Kieran Glennon so we would expect them to bounce back even stronger following this defeat. Our U14's played the same opposition last Thursday and were unfortunately defeated by two points, 5-11 to 4-12. Upcoming fixtures include: Minor v Rosemount in Rosemount on Wednesday 19th at 19.00, U14 vs Tyrrellspass in Ballinagore on Sunday 23rd at 11.30.
All Ireland Fleadh
Well done to the Ballinagore Set Dancers who took part in the All Irelands in Sligo last weekend. We had three sets competing including Senior Mixed Full Set, Senior Ladies Full Set and Senior Mixed Half Set and all dancers were very competitive in their respective competitions, despite dancing in an All Ireland for the first time. There were also many local competitors in various music, singing and dancing competitions from the surrounding areas, and all acquitted themselves very well over the three days of competitions. Congratulations to all those who took part and won honours, especially Kathryn Nea in singing and Laura Kelly and the Castletown U18 girls set, and well done on keeping the cultural side of our heritage alive and well in the locality. The Ballinagore Set dancers who competed in Sligo at the weekend were: Senior Mixed Set: Finian O'Brien, Eileen Roche, Rory O'Brien, Aisling Heraty, Enda O'Brien, Bridget O'Brien, Oliver Reynolds, Liz Brennan. Ladies Set: Jean Pettit, Nicola Finn, Áine Heraty, Colette Claffey, Debbie Ennis, Aisling Heraty, Áine Maloney, Cathy Kirby. Half Set: Shane Heraty, Maura Finn, Kevin Deegan, Claire Varley. Dancing Coach: Maura Finn. Musicians: Ciarán Seery, Enda Seery.
Building Work
Work continues at pace on our new gym. All demolition work is now complete and the new foundations have been poured. We are ready now for the new build. Our thanks to all who have been so helpful to date. Please take care on entering and exiting the grounds during construction works.
Congratulations
We extend our congratulations to Peter and Caroline Robinson on the birth of their baby daughter. We also want to extend birthday wishes to Peter Deegan who has been home recently and has celebrated his 30th while here.