Under
15
Well
done to our Under 15 Football team who on Sunday morning of last week at the
Dungarvan GAA grounds won the Under 15 Football Western Championship beating
the home team in the final after playing very well throughout. We played Gaultier last Sunday in the County Final.
We started very well in this game, and although going in at half time a point
behind, we were playing some good football and could have been leading if we
had taken our chances. The second half it was Gaultier who took their chances
and got a couple of goals and as hard as we tried, we couldn't claw back the
scoring difference. We had a lot of good performances all the same with Niall
Buckley playing super stuff in goal. The panel - Niall Buckley, David Shields, Sean Roche, Colin Foley, Eoin Aherne, Ben
O’Donovan, Alec Norris, Rory Aherne, Darragh Slevin, Senan Travers, Jamie
Moylan, DJ Kiely, Oisin Hallahan, David Hayes, Eoin Flynn and Philip Coleman.
As that was our last game in 2016, we would like to thank the players and
management for their efforts throughout the season and it won't be too long
before the new season comes around and try and go one better next year.
Parish Leagues –
An Overview
Our
under-age academy programme finished in a welter of excitement at our club
grounds with the playing of the finals of the U8 and U9 Parish Football
Leagues. After weeks of playing out the league section games to determine the
pairings for the various finals the scene was set for Friday’s eagerly awaited
finale. And what an occasion this was. In the truest tradition of our club this
was time taken out from our very full club activity schedule to provide the
stage for the young lads to enjoy, in the way that only youngsters can do, the
playing of football in all of its skill, style, passion and youthful innocence.
Here we had the game played in its original exciting splendour. High fielding,
long kicking, deft soloing, swift jinks, goal scoring, speedy hand passing,
well taken points and of course a plentiful amount of shoulder tackles, hip to
hip charges, block downs and more. And all played with typical honesty where
fair play was an automatic consequence of well balanced coaching by our coaches
who have been working with these lads over the summer and autumn. The combination
of well informed coaches and an ever lively bunch of players fills our hearts
with hope for the future.
Our
club grounds at The Burgery was buzzing with excitement and anticipation as the
players arrived in droves bedecked in all sorts of fancy coloured boots, double
coloured gum shields, specially designed gloves etc. We had four finals down
for decision and we had four brand new cups for presentation to the winners.
The Ballinclamper Cup
This
cup has been named after the area of our parish known as” Baile an Clampar”,
meaning town land of noise or commotion, which lies in the south eastern corner
of the rural part of our clubs area. The area is surrounded by places like
Ballinard, Clash, Clonea, Tallacool, Ballinacourty and Ballinageeragh. This
area is renowned for the cultivation of its rich soil for produce, in
particular vegetables and potatoes. Our club teams over the years have always
had an abundance of players from this area.
The Tournore Cup
This
cup is named after the location known as “Toor an Óir “o “ Fearann an
Tornóraig” which refers to the land of the Tornoraig. The
original large dwelling where the resident landlord lived known as Tournore
House forms a central point in the recently developed Tournore Gardens. This
area connects to places such as Duckspool, Coolagh, New Line, Sea Park, Park
Lane, is within shouting distance of T.J. Murphy Place, Kyne Park, McCarthy
Ville, and of course The Burgery, home to our club grounds popularly known as
“the field”. Many of our club players
both at adult and juvenile level hail from this estate.
The Kilminion Cup
Kilminion
is a historical landmark honouring Saint Finnian. Cill m’ Inín, Church of Saint
Finnian, stands as the gateway to Ballinroad, Ballyrandle, Barnawee,
Ballyvoile,Ballymarket, Knocknagrannagh, Garranbane. The site of the long gone
church building is of course a sacred burialgrounds. Kilminion and the
surrounding area has produced some outstanding players who went on to win many
titles with our club.
The Cruchan Cup
This
cup honours the area on the western side of our parish.” Crúachan na nDéise”
stands tall in the distance as one travels along the road through Strandside
North, Moonang, Pinewood, River Lane, Knockateemore, Glidaun, Ballycoe,
Joulters Park, Deelish, Tarrs Bridge. Over the years our club teams have been
well served by this part of our parish.
These
are the cups which our new wave of young footballers played for in the parish
league finals.
Four
areas linked together by their geographical connection and bonded together by
the players and members of our club whose commitment to our youth has given a
sense of belonging to all who come along to support the young players.
Players,
parents, coaches, officers, grandparents, family, friends, were there on Friday
night to witness what was undoubtedly another night to remember.
In
the Ballinclamper Cup Final, The Wolfe Tones, led by John Dillon, took the honours
with a 5-4 to 3-3 victory over The Fenians after a whale of a game. This battle
was full of all that is good in the game of football. I observed one
grandparent leaning, leaning, leaning to try and encourage one long range shot
that was veering wide to go between the posts.
In
the Tournore Cup Final, the bare minimum separated the sides at the end of a
rare battle. In the end it was Matthew Walsh’s O’Donovan Rossa who clinched the
win with an exquisite late goal, on the score line of 5-2 to 4-4 over the James
Kenneally led Michael Davitts. During this game parents were holding on to a
collection of track suit tops, jackets, discarded hats etc. all ready for after
match comfort.
In
the Kilminion Cup final Na Fianna, captained by Louis Simms took an early lead
over injury hit Pearses. Although the Pearses re-grouped & took the game to
Na Fianna, the absence of Oisin Power proved to be major factor as Na Fianna
claimed a deserved victory. Feature of this game was the open style of play as
the players played with a free spirit.
In
the Cruchan Cup, The Cuchulains had a 4-4 to 2-4 victory over Sarsfields. The
Injury hit Cuchulains had the benefit of three U-7 players and this turned the
tide in their favour with Conor Byrne lifting the trophy. Blocking down was a
feature of this lively game as the players responded vigorously to lively
sideline banter and encouragement from mentors and parents.
After
the games Joe Cleary, Chairman of the juvenile committee, presented all the
players with their trophies and medals in the presence of the biggest crowd
seen in the field for quite some time.
On
the evening we had yet again a demonstration of the commitment and sense of
belonging of the parents and supporters alike to the under- age scene within
the club. Once again we had a fulsome supply of teas, coffees, sandwiches,
drinks, cakes etc. The fruit table was my favourite with sliced apples,
oranges, bananas, pears, grapes etc. It was open table style where all came in,
filled up, went about the business on the field of play and came back for more
to ward off the cold of the winter chill. And there was plenty for everyone.
Well
done to all the players involved who contributed to this memorable event.
Players parents, coaches, referees, brothers, sisters, grandparents, uncles,
aunts, friends, supporters, officers. On a dry but cold November evening the
warmth of your company was a source of inspiration to us all in Abbeyside /
Ballinacourty G.A.A. as we remain focussed on giving all our young players a
place and an opportunity to enjoy and develop as young players and young
members of our parish and community.
You
are all welcome to join us on our journey to ensure that all of us unite to
ensure that our parish is a place where we all support each other in all of our
endeavours.
Academy “Under Lights”
Our
Academy completed its 2016 season on Friday evening last. A big thank you to
everyone who has helped out throughout the season. It’s been a great year &
a very enjoyable & satisfying one for both players & coaches alike.
Already
our thoughts are on the new season and on making the Academy experience even
better, roll on 2017.
Juvenile
AGM
The
juvenile club AGM will take place in the clubhouse tonight Wednesday, 16th
November at 7.30pm. Parents are invited to come along on the night.
