Ballymartin GAC Club Notes
May 07, 2012* Ballymartin GAC is holding their 11th fund-raising Golf Classic on Friday 8th June 2012 at Kilkeel Golf Club. Entry forms are available from Marie McKibbin (028 4176 9566 or 078 0234 4253).
* The Seniors had a disappointing finish to a match they had 'in the bag'; until the last three minutes, because a two point lead is not a GOOD lead. Tullylish ran the pitch and scored a goal putting them one point ahead, this was shortly followed with a point and the final whistle shortly after Ballymartin 0-10 V 1-9 Tullylish. The next match is scheduled for Friday 18 May away to Ardglass with a throw-in: 7 30 PM.
* The Reserves match on Sunday was called off, this Sunday 13th May in the McAvoy Construction LLP South Down, the lads are playing the Longstone in the Longstone at 6.30pm.
* The Minors hosted Saul on Friday 4 May in the Round 4 match of the and came away with a low scoring win Baileghlas 0-5 vs. 0-0 Saul. Yesterday - Tuesday, they travelled to St John Bosco. Next Tuesday the round 6 match sees them hosting Kilcoo in Glassdrumman at 7:30pm.
* The U-16 squad suffered a blow last Thursday when they travelled to Kilcoo 2-15 vs. 2-10 Ballymartin. The lads played some great football, but kept getting closed down and losing possession. Tomorrow - Thursday, they host Ballyholland at St.Colmans Pitch, Kilkeel. Throw-in at 7:30 PM.
* U-14 Baileghlas squad hosted Atticall on Monday past, next Monday night they are on the road to Annaclone for a 7:30 throw-in for the Ballykelly Group Div 3 match.
* The U12s commenced their league campaign last Sunday with an away win against St.Michaels. Ballymartin started brightly and playing with the aid of the wind and held a two point half time lead, with Ryan Higgins netting after a move involving six players. The second period was much tougher with both sides guilty of missed passes and poor shooting and plenty of wides. Fortunately the young Lilywhites held on for victory. This Sunday morning at 11am the U-12s host Newry Bosco at St. Colman's Pitch, Kilkeel. Coaching for U-12s continues tomorrow evening 6pm at St.Colmans. Best wishes from the U-12 team and all club members to club captain and U-12 coach Cathal Doyle, who has an operation to repair his cruciate knee ligament this Friday. We all trust Cathal has a speedy recovery.
* The U-10's have a Go Games blitz on this Saturday 12th May at 10.30am. This will be held in Glasdrumman:- Mayobridge A & B, Rostrevor, Glasdrumman, Atticall, Longstone, Ballymartin & An Riocht.
* Intermediate Ladies - Ballymartin ladies played their third game of the season on Saturday night against a travelling Kilcoo that arrived in Dunavil unbeaten from their previous 3 matches. The magpies have obviously worked hard in pre season and started the game meaning business. The threat of Doherty in midfield and the two Laverty's up front meant that the Lilywhites would surely need to be on their guard for the whole 60 minutes.
When the ball was thrown in - Kilcoo won the first tussle with ease and played with great fluency until they won a free in front of the posts. Kerry Laverty stepped up to split the posts with ease. Sinead Rooney hit a kick out that again was won by the now rampant magpies and again they scored. Ballymartin looked like they were suffering a hangover of lack of games and their touch had deserted them somewhat. Or was it just the fact that Kilcoo were working harder in all departments? Lauren Cunningham hit the first point from a free but this seemed to rile the magpies even more and they hit two unanswered scores to lead by 3 points with only 12 minutes gone. Another score from the counties central club and Ballymartin looked in real trouble. A major turning point came when the ball broke into the full forward line and Sinead Rooney sprang like a March hare to clear the danger - the ball fell to Sinead Brannigan who fed Lauren for another score. The kick out saw Caroline O'Neill rise unchallenged and feed the ball to Jessica Collins who fed the onrushing Amy Marks for a fine fisted score. For the next 13 minutes Ballymartin failed to register a single shot at the target. The introduction of Jacqueline O'Neill and Laura Sloan in quick succession stemmed the tide for a while. With her first touch Jacqueline was back in familiar territory of the sin bin. This was a harsh lesson for Jacqueline and hopefully a lesson learned for the remainder of the season. Rebecca Cunningham moved to corner back and Laura Sloan moved to wing half forward to compensate for her loss. This didn't stop Kilcoo scoring a further 4 points on the bounce to lead by 9 points to 3. What happened next was Ballymartin playing how we knew they could. Fast flowing football and no one taking-on, unnecessary danger. Carol Rafferty got her customary point before a real flowing move starting in midfield with Orla "Dougal" Doyle fell into the hands of Laura Sloan and she made no mistake from 6m out and with the help of the post to hit the net. This gave Ballymartin a huge lift and Lauren hit another point to leave the bare minimum between the sides as the half approached. Kilcoo were shell shocked. Their tactic of flooding the defence with bodies was working so well but the goal was a real sucker punch to their challenge. The half time whistle went much to their delight and the score reading Ballymartin 1.05 Kilcoo 0 - 09
There must have been harsh words in the dressing room at half time as Ballymartin emerged with a renewed vigour and sense of work-rate for the second half.
Caroline O'Neill and Orla Mac Dougal were now in midfield and from the throw-up - this powerful combination won the ball and moved it forward with purpose. The ball finally found its way to Lauren and she scored with ease. Kilcoo using their full back to hit kick outs in the first half caused confusion - but now Ballymartin were switched onto it and indeed for the duration of the half they won 16 out of 18 kick outs from their opposition. Laura Sloan was making a nuisance of herself with her probing runs and it was her finish in the 8th minute that pushed Ballymartin ahead for the first time in the game. Kilcoo hit back - but with pressure being put on their main players further out the pitch - they were not getting the freedom to shoot they were afforded in the first half. Their wing half forward did manage to squeeze in a fine shot in the 10th minute to bring the team's level - but this was as good as it got for Kilcoo. Ballymartin won the kick out and first time football saw the ball fall to 14 year old Ruth "Ruthless" Collins. She absolutely smashed the ball to the top corner of the net to give the team and her confidence a massive lift. The kick out saw Orla Mac Dougal rise through the air to fetch a fine catch - she fed the onrushing Caroline O'Neill who hit the ball low to the keeper's right and into the back of the net. Breathing space at last - and we could now start to play football with freedom. The unusually off colour Lauren Cunningham hit a few wides when perhaps there were players better placed for the score and indeed the calls for over carrying the ball caught her out sometimes. She did get the next score after some fine play from Sinead Brannigan opened the space for her shot. Kilcoo were now becoming frustrated with Ballymartin's physical fitness, desire and hunger for every ball. Late challenges were going unpunished though and in fairness to the Lilywhites they just got on with playing their game. Caroline O'Neill was ripped down on the right hand side of the pitch for a free and quick thinking meant she found Sinead Brannigan in acres of space. Sinead hit a shot for a point but it took a wicked dip to go into the back of the net. Kilcoo were done for. Some more easy chances went a-begging for Ballymartin before Lauren hit the last score of the game to leave them comfortable winners in the end.
This was a very patchy performance from the girls with some glimpses of excellent play and some moments of individual brilliance - Orla Mac Dougal giving her father - the great Charlie something to be proud of and Rebecca Cunningham finding some form again. Her catch from one particular kick out was very memorable. However, there were also some moments to forget. But it's onwards and upwards for the panel as they take on Tullylish in their next game away from home on Saturday 12/05/12 with a 7pm throw in.
* U-16 Ladies Coaching continues as usual. 5 - 6pm Thursday
* U-14 Ladies were beaten by Loughinisland 4-8 vs. 4-03 Ballymartin, there was some great play from Caitlin Quinn and Olivia. Taylor and Anna had a great game their first competitive outing. Coaching continues on Thursday 6 - 7pm. The Committee and coaching staff would like to wish Ciara Rice a speedy recovery after injuring her elbow in the first play of the ball against Loughinisland last week, a game in which she continued the match carrying the injury, the team wish her well.
* The Mourne U-12 Division 2 Hurlers have a Go Games throw-in 7.30pm at home against Warrenpoint on Thursday 10th May.
* The Mourne U-14 Hurling League, Division 2 Throw-in is at 7.30pm on Friday 11th May, when they travel to Liatroim.
* The Mourne U-16 Division 2 Hurlers have a 5pm throw-in home match against Kilclief On Sunday 13th.
* Lotto Numbers for Sunday 6 May; 8, 13, 17, 22. No Jackpot Winners - Next week's Jackpot now stands @£ 11,600. 3 People Matched 3 Numbers, Congratulation to; Brendan Allen, Amanda Rooney & Agnes Haughain. Tweet
