The prospect of adult hurling returning to Ballymore continues to increase thanks to the success of the Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels underage amalgam. The success of the Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels underage amalgamation has raised hopes of an adult hurling club reforming in Ballymore. 2005 was the most successful year yet for the south county amalgam with no fewer than five county titles coming their way. In September, Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels captured the under 14 'A' and under 12 'B' titles. The under 14 team completed a noteworthy double in October when they won the Feile Shield, and not to be outdone, the under 16s also landed an 'A' championship title in December. The winning continued into the New Year when the minor team clinched the 'B' league. "It was a great year, to win five underage titles was an outstanding achievement. The two clubs have worked very well together and the success we've had has surpassed everyone's expectations," says Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels PRO and assistant secretary Kevin Jordan. Jordan is hopeful that the success of Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels will result in Fr Dalton's being able to field at adult level again in the not too distant future. "As a Southern Gaels man it's difficult for me to say, but I've no doubt that all the people involved with Fr Dalton's would love to see them fielding an adult team in the next few years. They're certainly going about it the right way. "The really encouraging thing about this alliance is that we have been consistently producing successful underage teams over the past few years. There is good back-up behind last year's minor team right down to under 10 level." The south county amalgamation have been especially strong in the under 14 grade and last year's 'A' championship success was their second in three years. Managed by Donie Glynn, Mick Kincaid, Fergal Ormsby, Arty Pyke and John Landy, this team defeated Delvin after a replay in Castletown-Geoghegan to take the title. The first half was an exciting affair, at the end of which Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels led by 3-7 to 3-2. But there was only one team in it in the second half as two goals from MJ Kelly and points from Enda Kincaid and Joe Crampton propelled the southerners to an impressive 5-11 to 3-3 victory. The same team added the Feile Shield a few weeks later when they got the better of St. Oliver Plunkett's by 6-4 to 3-3 in Drumraney. The Athlone/Ballymore combination laid the foundations for their victory in the first half when a John Reidy hat-trick of goals, and two more goals from Enda Kincaid and Luke Callinan, saw them hold a commanding 5-1 to 0-2 lead at the interval. St. Oliver Plunkett's rallied in the second half, but their comeback hopes were ended when Brian Finerty grabbed a sixth goal for the winners. On the same day as the under 14 'A' championship replay, Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels also captured the under 12 'B' league crown following a 2-2 to 1-4 victory over Castlepollard. This team was managed by Ger O'Kelly-Lynch, Martin Carey and Eamon Farrell. On December 8, Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels secured their fourth title of the year courtesy of a 4-8 to 0-6 victory over Lough Lene Gaels in the under 16 'A' championship final at Drumraney. A hat-trick of goals from impressive corner forward Conor Foley went a long way towards bringing about the win, but there were numerous stellar performances all over the field, particularly at centre back where Peter Murray shone throughout. Noel Mulligan, Eoin Jordan and Neal Rattigan also caught the eye in what was an excellent team performance. The New Year began as the old one ended for Fr Dalton's/Southern Gaels who overwhelmed Cullion by 2-9 to 0-2 to take the minor 'B' league title at Castletown-Geoghegan. Following a keenly contested opening 20 minutes, the southerners cut loose and two goals from George Kenny and Noel Mulligan effectively ended the game as a contest before the break. Both the minor and under 16 team were managed by Kevin Jordan, John Foley and Donie Glynn. Tweet

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