Ballymore will look back on 2007 with mixed emotion. After a positive showing in the group stages of the intermediate football championship, they qualified for the quarter final, where they established a seven points lead against Tang and seemed set for victory. However, Tom Darcy's men failed to build on that promising start and suffered an agonising two-point defeat in the end. Damien Maher spoke to 2007 club chairman, John McNeill, about the past year. "We'd be disappointed at the way the year went, overall," admitted John McNeill, who stood down as chairman at the end of 2007, being replaced by John Cunningham. "We lost Paddy Martin at a vital time and then, when we were well ahead against Tang in the quarter final, just couldn't finish it off. Failing to score for 42 minutes in that game proved our undoing. Losing Darragh Rooney through injury was a big blow," he added. "But, on a positive note, we have Tom Darcy back at the helm again this year and that's a major boost. He definitely has improved the team and if things had been different last year, we could have made the last four." Ballymore's intermediate football championship campaign began in May when they took on eventual champions, Ballinagore, in Tang GAA grounds. Ballinagore were cruising at one stage in this match and led by eight points, but Ballymore's grit and determination came to the fore as they battled their way back in the final quarter. When midfielder, Paddy Martin, was grounded late in the game, Ballymore were awarded a penalty, which was duly converted to the net, and the sides finished on level terms (1-8 to 0-11). For Ballymore it was certainly a case of a point gained. In the second round, Ballymore took on Ballynacargy at Hogan Park, Moate. This was a much closer affair and it was Ballymore who had their noses in front for the majority of play. Ballynacargy did produce a late rally and applied real pressure, but Ballymore's resilience saw them though by a solitary point on a 0-13 to 0-12 scoreline. It was a game that ended in hugely controversial circumstances, though, as Paddy Martin was sent off. The inspirational midfielder proved an immense loss to Ballymore as the year progressed. In round three, Ballymore took on Milltownpass at Castletown Geoghegan and it proved another close encounter. However, it was Ballymore's nerve that held the better in the end as they emerged with another one-point victory, 1-8 to 1-7. At half time in this tough encounter, Ballymore held a narrow lead (1-3 to 0-4) and despite the concession of a second half goal, Tom Darcy's men were strong enough to hold out for victory. Round four took Ballymore to Cusack Park for a meeting with Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall. This proved to be a totally one- sided affair and it was the Ballymore men who recorded a facile victory, 3-11 to 0-6. They were well on their way at half time after a Paul O'Halloran goal gave them a 1-7 to 0-3 lead and Derek Molloy and John Gilligan supplied the second half majors as Ballymore cruised to victory. The final group game for Ballymore came in late August at Tang GAA grounds against old rivals, Maryland. In what proved a forgettable evening for Darcy's charges, Maryland were completely dominant and emerged with an emphatic 15-point victory (0-17 to 0-2). Despite the defeat, Ballymore still qualified for the quarter final as the finished in third place in Division 2. The quarter final against Tang at Hogan Park, Moate, was truly a bizarre game of football. With the help of a Derek Cuffe goal, Ballymore established a seven points lead (1-4 to nil), but their failure to score for a full 42 minutes ultimately proved their downfall. The loss of wing back, Darragh Rooney, who sustained a bad injury before half time, following a dangerous tackle, was certainly significant to the outcome and seemed to disrupt Ballymore at a time when they were in the ascendancy. However, it was poor shooting by both sides which dominated the game and, in the end, Ballymore were left to rue a missed opportunity. Ballymore also reached the final of the Junior B Championship where they lost to Rosemount. At underage level, Ballymore were once again joined with Milltown as the very successful Millmore Gaels partnership continued. Secretary, Denis O'Rourke, was pleased with how the year went. "We competed well at all levels, but it was tough at under 14. We were brought up to Division 2 after a reasonable run in the league, but that was probably a false reflection of our true strength. Kilbeggan/ St. Joseph's gave us a walkover and that meant we were promoted, but we were out of our depth," he said. "The amalgamation is working well. As I see it, there's no way either club would be able to field at under 16 level, but at under 10 we are both getting stronger. We competed in the Ballynacargy under 10 tournament in 2007 and that was encouraging. But the amalgamation with Milltown seems to be the best way forward for both clubs," he added. While their under 14 footballers encountered strong opposition in Division 2 of the championship, Millmore Gaels' under 16 side reached the Division 3 league final, where they lost to a strong Killucan outfit. At minor level, Millmore Gaels progressed to the semi-final of the Division 2 championship, where Ballynacargy proved too strong. Ballymore were also strongly represented on the St. Patrick's team which won the minor football premier championship for the second year in succession. McNeill is fulsome in his praise of the team and manager, Frank Lynam, for the manner in which they won they county final against Clann Braonain. "The success of St. Patrick's was great and unless you were close to it you wouldn't realise the effort that went in by all concerned and what was actually involved. Bringing together four clubs and gelling players is not easy. There were big tests for this team both in the 2006 semi-final and in last year's final and they came through it each time, showing great character. "In fairness to Frank Lynam, he instilled that in the team and must take credit for the achievement," remarked McNeill. Ballymore were well represented on the team with players like Paddy Harrington, Andrew Slevin, John Gilligan, Frank Hughes, Conor McNeill and Sam Whooley involved. "We made a decent contribution to both those teams and our hope now is to build on that," added the former chairman. The Ballymore club is continuing work on their club grounds, with two new dressing rooms to be opened this year. Their stand has also been re-roofed and they are planning to develop an additional pitch. "Overall, 2007 wasn't a bad year. Apart from our intermediate team, the Junior B side reached the final and, had we not been hit by injuries, things might have been different for them. They lost to a better Rosemount team on the day, but it was good to see them making progress. "The intermediate championship is gone very competitive, with Tubberclair now back from senior level and teams like Shandonagh, Maryland, Moate and Ballynacargy still around. It won't be easy, but we'll be aiming to improve on last year's showing," concluded McNeill. The Ballymore side which lost to Tang in the intermediate quarter final was: Vinny McCormack; Declan Rooney, Barry McDermott, Pauric Harrington; Bobby McDermott, Anthony McKnight, Darragh Rooney; Liam Gilligan, Denis Eivers; Michael Slevin, Derek Cuffe, John Gilligan; Derek Molloy, Paul O'Halloran, Anthony Kearney. Subs used: Francis Eivers, Dermot Farrell, Francis Hughes, Stephen Rooney. Tweet

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