Junior Football Championship Play-off
Ballinagore 4-10 St. Paul's 3-07
Our junior footballers bounced back from their heavy quarter final defeat to St. Loman's with a truly spirited and energetic performance against an equally game and lively St. Paul's side last Saturday evening in Springfield in this playoff to decide who would play in group A or B of next years junior championship. This game was in the balance right up to the end when an injury time goal by Paddy Ennis gave us some breathing space for a decisive win. Playing with the wind in the opening half, our lads found their rhythm early on and even though it was our opponents who opened the scoring with a point, we quickly responded with a Paddy Ennis point from play following a neat pass by Cormac Deegan. From the kickout, Enda Claffey, Darren Rigney and Cormac combined well in a move which saw Cormac's shot saved well by the Paul's goalkeeper but Darren Rigney was on hand quickly to knock the rebound to the net. Not to be outdone, St. Paul's equalised two minutes later with a well taken goal following a great passing sequence. However we were in the mood for goals and just one minute later, a move started by our own goalkeeper, Ian Seery, quickly saw Enda Kenny put Darragh Seery in and further exchanges with Darragh and Cormac Deegan saw James Durkan get a shot off which found the bottom corner. Paddy Ennis extended our lead with another fine point following a great Enda Claffey block. Paul's then scored two points of their own before the water break and they carried this momentum into the second quarter which saw some great defending on our part with Robbie Keegan, Ciaran Carey and Peter Deegan in particular getting some important tackles in. Ian Seery also had two fine saves in this period, one of which went out for a 45 and St. Paul's were somewhat fortunate to score their second goal from a deflected toe poke as the low, hard ball in wasn't dealt with. Another point from our lively corner forward, Paddy Ennis, this time off his left foot left the half time score 2-04 to 2-03 in our favour. Niall Kelly replaced the injured James Durkan at half time and he would go on to have a fine second half, adding some great physical presence in the middle third while showing well up front also. Paul's scored the opening point in the second half but the two Enda's, Claffey and Kenny, scored two well taken points from play in the fifth and sixth minutes to give us confidence as we faced a stiffening breeze. We were dominant at this stage and Cormac Deegan was in hard luck for a goal when his shot came hard off the upright following a great move. Paddy Ennis kicked over a routine free following a foul on Niall Kelly and moments later, Cormac Deegan got the goal he deserved when he side-stepped the Paul's keeper after Niall Kelly and David Keegan had combined well. This gave us a 3-07 to 2-04 lead at the water break but things were about to heat up even further. Paul's scored the next two points before James Sheerin was unfortunatley handed a straight red following a pile up of players. However our lads responded immediately with a Cormac Deegan point. Paul's got in for their third goal following a long delivery from a free, a free that most felt should have been awarded to us as Niall Kelly was pinned to the ground and found it difficult to play the ball with a knee heavily resting on him. There was now just a single point between the sides and five minutes of normal time remaining. Unbelieveably from here to the end, our lads took control and showed great maturity to hold possession and make all the right decisions on the ball which saw Paddy Ennis and Darragh Seery score two more points before Paddy confidently took on a tired Paul's defense to score our fourth goal and give us a deserved six point victory. Well done to all on a great team performance. Team: Ian Seery, Derek Newman, Peter Deegan, Ciaran Carey, Conan Feery, James Sheerin, Robbie Keegan, Enda Claffey, David Keegan, Darragh Seery, Enda Kenny, Darren Rigney, Cormac Deegan, James Durkan, Paddy Ennis. Subs: Niall Kelly, David Slevin, Robert Gannon. Rest of Panel: Declan Claffey, Shane Heraty, Kieran Deegan (inj), Peter Reynolds
U9/U11 football
Our U9's and U11's played the second last round of Go Games away to Ballynacargy last Saturday morning. Both sets of teams performed very well. Well done to all. U9 team 1: Aaron Kenny, Matthew Miller, Oisin Clarke, Flynn Redmond, Adam O'Connor, Rosie Rami, Beau Sweeney Wallace, Adam Robinson, Senan Jackson, Fergus Tuite, Jamie Cheetham. U9 Team 2: Ronan Grennan, Billy Nolan, Michael Garvin, AJ Maloney, Matthew Maloney, Daniel Walker, Aidan Redmond, Conor King, Rhian Clarke, Daire Jackson, Cial O'Neill.
Underage Fixtures
U13 Football Championship Division 2 Semi-Final: Lilliput Gaels vs Moate in Moate on Saturday 19th September at 11:30
U15 Football Shield Division 1 Semi-Final: Lilliput Gaels vs Shandonagh in Ballinagore on Sunday 20th September at 11:30
Investors Draw
Our 2nd investors members draw takes place on Saturday 19th September. The draw will be streamed live on our Facebook page. Best of luck to everyone who has entered.
Sympathy
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Corcoran family, Cloneyheigue on the passing of Camillus Corcoran in England. We also extend our sympathy to the Kirby family, Castletown, on the passing of Myles Kirby. May they Rest in Peace.
Well Done
Well done to the Loughnavalley U14 girls who won the Division 2 championship on Saturday agains Caulry. There were a number of local girls involved including Lilia O'Brien, Emer Claffey, Ellen Daly and Rose Macken. Congratulations also to Fiona Claffey and her Foxrock/Cabinteely team mates who won the Dublin Ladies Senior Football title for an amazing sixth time in a row on Saturday last overcoming Kilmacud Crokes in the final by two points.
Tweet