Friday Nov 1st

FAI Junior Cup Rd. 3 – Bridge United CDSL 3 Ballingarry 2 (Flynn, Meade)
Ballingarry fell at the first FAI hurdle in Ennis on Friday against Bridge United by the odd goal in five. Bridge took the lead from the spot in the first minute only for the visitors to draw level through Luke Flynns first goal for the club to see the sides level at the break. Andrew Meade gave Ballingarry an early second half lead only for the home side to respond twice to eventually go through.
Team: O Grady, Quinlivan, Flynn, Cahill, Meade, P Ryan, Moore, O Shea, A O Connor, J O Connor, Clancy.
Used Subs: Quille, Tagney, Forde, Pat Ryan, Long.

Sat Nov 2nd

Boys U12 Div. 1 – AK Utd 0 Ballingarry A 0

Saturday, October 26th
Munster Junior Cup Round 2 – Ballingarry 4 (Molloy 2, Geary, Casey) Broadford Utd. 1
Ballingarry at last put the Broadford hex to bed with an emphatic win to progress to the third round of the Munster youth cup. Ballingarry took to lead through Mike Molloy first of two only to sloppily let it slip before the break but a commanding second half performance saw three unanswered goals from Molloy again, Darragh Casey and David Geary to see them play Itas away in round 3.

Sunday, October 27th
U16 Girls – Ballingarry 6 (Lawlee 4, Kenny, Madden) Abbeyfeale Utd 3

Ballingarry had to come from behind twice to seal their first ever U16 girls league title pipping Abbeyfeale United in the final game of the season. It was the manner in which they responded to going behind in such a crucial game that impressed the most. Two goals down in the first quarter, an own goal and a scrappy second, would have seen a lesser outfit crumble but not this particular side. They stuck to their principles which is a possession game using the entire pitch content to be patient knowing that chances will come. And they did come. Donny Kenny cut the deficit when she pounced following a spill by the keeper and the Katie Lawlee swept home an equaliser. Abbey responded well going ahead again with a powerfully headed third before Ballingarry replied for a third time with Lalee them finisher after magnificent work from Madden.

A breath-taking first half ended all square. The second half was Ballingarry at their best. Lawlee put them ahead when she slotted inside the post just after the re start. Her third soon followed before a deflected Amy Madden effort flew in over the keeper before Katie Lawlee rounded a staring performance with her fourth and Ballingarrys sixth five from time.

While the first half was an exciting and even encounter the second half was sheer brilliance form the winners. Their defence came into their own after a shaky start while the mid field took total control against a physically stronger opponent. Their ability to pass and go is truly a delight with few if any team in the league capable of managing. Katie Lawlee was drafted into this game as a late replacement and what a response. Four goals in her first U 16 game.

Captain Houlihan was solid as ever receiving superb cover from Flynn and later Moran, McMahon and Chloe O Keefe, O Shea and Dalton. At midfield Markham, Amy O Keeffe, Madden and Mullane dominated and produced when needed while Kenny and Lawlee and when introduced Dawn O Shaughnessy were also superb driving at the opposition relentlessly. Ballingarry have now claimed the U12, 14 and 16 league titles. The under 14 cup resided in Ballingarry also while both the 12s and 16s await their respective cup finals. Unprecedented success has already been realised, is there more to follow?

Ladies Premier. – Breska Rovers 0 Ballingarry 5 (Noonan 2, Mulcaire, Shanagher, Moloney)

Spotted in Geneva last week at the Euro 2020 Q v Switzerland was the much travelled Ballingarry Flag.

 

Saturday, October 19th

Under 12 Girls Division 2 – Shannonside B 1 Ballingarry B 1 (O’Shea)
Molly O’Shea got the goal in the first half. Ballingarry were unlucky not to be further ahead through some great play in that first half with Emma Condron and Clodagh Morrissey in particular unlucky not to score. The home side were much stronger in the second period. However in spite of fine performances from Michella Enright and Muireann O’Sullivan Ballingarry conceded. The goal spurred Ballingarry to life but try as they might they could not find a way past the home defence and in the end had to settle for a draw.

U14 Boys Division 2 – Ballingarry v Athea Utd (No show Athea)
U16 Girls – Askeaton 1 Ballingarry 4 (Madden 2; Moran; Hayes)
The scoreline suggests an easy win for Ballingarry however this was not the case as Askeaton gave Ballingarry a game throughout. The home side could have been 2 down before they took the lead through Amy Maddens first of two, even then Askeaton fought back and drew level shortly after the break. Another from Madden and one each from Hannah Moran and Sarah Hayes secured the win that sees the title decided in the last game of the season when Abbeyfeale United visit Ballingarry.

Youths Division 1 – Ballingarry 0 Abbeyfeale Utd 2
The scoreline offers little insight into the game as Ballingarry dominated for long stretches of play in both halves. A missed penalty from the home side at 0-0 changed the landscape from a Ballingarry perspective raising the visitor’s spirits enough to score an unlikely opener. The second came late as Ballingarry surged forward.

Sunday, October 20th

U/14 Girls – Abbeyfeale Utd 2 Ballingarry 6 (Clancy 2, Lawlee 4)
Ballingarry secured the division 1 title with a game to spare, to go with the u14 cup already won with this emphatic win at Abbeyfeale last Sunday. Another impressive show from the girls in Green and Gold had them 2 up, both goals from Abbie Clancy, before Katie Lawlee took over adding all remaining 4 goals. Congratulations to the squad and management on secureing a first ever “double” for the clubs Under 14 girls.

Saturday, October 5th

U/12 Girls Div 1 – Shannonside A 1 Ballingarry A 4 (Frawley 2, O Dwyer, Hanley)
Division 1 champions Ballingarry saw off Shannonside in this their penultimate league fixture on Saturday last. Ballingarry had to come from a goal down to secure all three points with goals from Sarah Frawley 2, and 1 each from Kayley O Dwyer and Lorna Hanley keeps Ballingarrys unbeaten run intact. Under strength Ballingarry had to call on the services of U10 players Orla Frawley and Rebecca Carey who played a major part in this latest success.

Sunday, October 6th

U/14 Girls Cup Final – Ballingarry 6 (Clancy 2, Madden 2, Kenny, Lawlee) Broadford Utd 1
Ballingarry recorded an emphatic win against a good Broadford United side to lift the U14 girl’s cup for the first time. United opened the better putting the winners under some early pressure but it was Ballingarry who went the closest when Kenny was just wide after Fitzgibbon crossed from the right. Once Ballingarry went one up after five minutes they took control. Amy Madden made a powerful run from midfield, a feature of her game throughout and one reason why she was awarded player of the game, before driving the ball into the box where Abbie Clancy finished from close in. Ballingarry dominance was rewarded after 14 minutes when Donna Kenny sent a beautiful effort to the top corner from just inside the box. This ended a fine passing move involving O Keeffe, Markham and Kenny herself. Ballingarry were now in control but United responded and a well struck effort from 20 yards deceived Quinn in goal to give Broadford hope. It was the only setback on another fine performance from the Ballingarry keeper.

Broadford hope was to be short lived however as a two goal burst from the winners in the final five minutes of the half all but secured the cup for Ballingarry. First Amy Madden scored a fine goal following neat passing from Madigan, Rebecca Fitzgibbon and Markham, whose linkup play at midfield through control and pass was central to most Ballingarry moves. Abbie Clancy’s second on the stroke of half time gave Ballingarry a comfortable cushion. Again it was the product of a marvellous passing move which started at the back with Sarah Lynch, O Keeffe, Markham and finally Lucy Fitzgibbon whose perfect cross was met at the far post by Clancy.

The second half saw Ballingarry come into their own with some really impressive passing moves. Madden was just wide with two efforts before she finally got her second. Ballingarry had broke at pace from Madigan’s early out ball, Lucy Fitzgibbon latched on and her stinging effort drew a fine fingertip save from the keeper. The resultant corner from the left was partially cleared to land perfectly for Madden to strike a glorious fifth on the half volley from 18 yards. Ballingarry could have had more but it was left to Katie Lawlee, who had a fine game throughout, to have the final saw against her former team mates when she rounded off a move involving Emma McNamara and Donna Kenny with time almost up.

The score line was somewhat unfair on Broadford who in spite of the score line gave Ballingarry a real test, but this Ballingarry team are a special outfit who never fail to impress. They play a passing game in all parts of the pitch from back to from with the emphases always on forward play some of which is spellbinding. There is no visible weakness with all the girls comfortable on the ball and familiar with their roles, this also applies to the subs used on the day, Cunningham, O Sullivan, Hartigan and McNamara all played their part when required. This does not happen by accident and credit must go the coaches Shane Markham and Micky Mac for the philosophy employed and clearly visible.

Team: Quinn, Madigan, O Keeffe, R Fitzgibbon, Lynch. Markham, Madden, Kenny, Lawlee, L Fitzgibbon, Clancy.
Used Subs: O Sullivan, Hartigan, McNamara, Cunningham.

Munster Junior Cup Round 1 – Ballingarry 1 (J O Connor) Adare Utd 2
Ballingarry left a half time lead, given to them by Josh O’Connor, to lose 2.1 to visiting Adare United to see their interest in the Munster junior cup end at the first hurdle.

Ladies Premier Division – Ballingarry 2 (Shire, Kelly) Breska Rovers 0