After a rather condensed season with such a long break in the middle the Under 13 team made it to the semi final of the league cup and quarter final of the Desmond cup. Their nemesis Kildimo defeated them on three occasions on their home turf and were the eventual winners of both competitions. A huge positive for the squad was that they played great football and with a bit of luck could have knocked them out of the Desmond cup. Overall though it was a good season with some new faces added to the squad this year that slotted in well and were a great asset to the club.

On Saturday June 2nd the team had a very enjoyable day out paintballing at Combat Zone in Ballyhahill with 19 out of 21 on the squad attending. Though it was a large group, every one of the lads was well behaved both to and from the venue on the bus, followed all instructions given by the instructors at the venue and were good reps for Ballingarry FC. A great day for all was rounded off at the clubhouse where they took a team photo and presented some awards.

Congratulations to Anna Mullane and Chloe O’Keeffe who were voted U16 Girls Division 1 Player of the Year and U12 Girls Inter League Player of the Year respectively. Pictures show both receiving their awards at the LDS/GL Awards Night in Rathkeale House Hotel on June 4th 2018 last.

Congratulations to Adam Shanagher who vas voted LDFL Division 2 Youth Player of the Year and Anna Mullane who won the LDS/GL U16 Division 1 Player of the Year.

 

Wednesday May 23rd 2018
Girls U14 Division 1 Title Playoff – Ballingarry 2 (Hayes, O’Dwyer) Abbeyfeale Utd 0

On a glorious Summer evening at Woodfields Ballingarry finally got the upper hand on Abbeyfeale United and lifted the Division 1 title thanks to this 2-0 playoff win in a tremendous game. Having finished level on points at the end of the league a playoff was required to separate the sides and following the disappointment of losing the cup final to Abbeyfeale it was a truly fitting end to the season for this bunch of girls.

Ballingarry took an early lead when Sarah Hayes reacted fastest when the keeper fumbled Siobhra Walsh’s delivered free. Ballingarry were comfortable for the remainder of the half and added to their lead early in the second half when Nicole O’Dwyer finished from a goal mouth scramble. This second goal was the cushion Ballingarry needed and from here on Ballingarry were always in control.

It would be unfair to single out anyone player for their performance, suffice to say that all girls were magnificent on the night and thoroughly deserving of the success.

Friday May 18th 2018

Division 3 – Ballingarry B 1 (Mulqueen) Creeves Celtic 0
Ballingarry B finished their season with a 1-0 win against Creeves with Brian Mulqueen getting the only goal. The team finished 3rd just 2 points off the promotion position.

Sunday May 20th 2018

U16 Cup Final – Abbeyfeale United 1 Ballingarry 0
Ballingarry were unlucky to lost the 16s cup final in Woodfields on Sunday as Abbeyfeale United won a tight game by the only goal. Ballingarry had chances to score both before and after the winning goal with Michael Southgate unlucky. It was always going to be a low scoring game and unfortunately from a Ballingarry point of view it was United who got the all important winner with fifteen minutes remaining.

U14 Girls Division 1 – Abbeyfeale United 2 Ballingarry 2 (Walsh 2)
This draw means that both teams will have to meet again to decide the title destination in a playoff as both have finished level on points. Siobhra Walsh gave Ballingarry the lead twice only for United to come back on both occasions. Her first was direct from a corner in the first half with Abbeyfeale equalising on the stroke of half time. Her second from a free just after the restart was cancelled form the spot midway through the second half. Although Abbeyfeale had the better of the second half Ballingarry rode their luck and can look forward to the winner takes all confrontation on Wednesday next in Woodfields.

Tuesday May 8th

U12 Girls Cup Final – Newcastle West Town 0 Ballingarry 3 (O’Connor 2, Kenny)
Ballingarry ended an unprecedented seasons in girls football for the club by securing the League and Cup double with this totally deserved win against NCW Town in Rathkeale last Tuesday evening. The first ever girls cup success for the club, the 12s did it in style as they completed the season winning all the league and cup games without conceding a single goal.

Ballingarry dominated from start to finish and once Donna Kenny put the winners a goal up there was no way back for NCW. A second Ballingarry goal from player of the match Kate O’Connor had NCW Town reeling and by the time she got her second NCW were well beaten. Congratulations to the girls and Manager Kevin O’Dwyer and assistant Rebecca Noonan on a wonderful season as their team become the first team from the club to win a girls cup competition.

U16 Boys Cup Semi Final – Ballingarry 1 (Quille) Askeaton 0
Ballingarry will contest the under 16 cup final against Abbeyfeale United following their 1-0 success against Askeaton.

Monday April 23rd

U12 Boys Division 1 – Ballingarry A 3 Newcastle West Town A 3

Tuesday April 24th

U16 Boys Division 2 – Ballingarry 2 (Molloy 2) Ferry Rangers 2

Wednesday April 25th

U12 Girls Division 1 – Ballingarry A 2 AK Utd 0

Ballingarry saw out a tremendous season by beating visiting AK to end their campaign winning all their games without conceding a single goal. Both Ballingarry goals came in the second half with first Emma McNamara and then Donna Kenny sealing victory. In between AK were awarded a penalty but the kick was driven well over the bar to preserve Ballingarry flawless defensive record this season. The season is not over yet for the girls as they look forward to the cup final against NCW Town.

Thursday April 26th

U12 Girls Division 2 – Ballingarry B 0 Kilcolman Rovers 4
U16 Cup Quarter Final – Broadford Utd 2 Ballingarry 3 (Quille 2, Geary) aet.

Saturday April 28th

Youth Div 2 League Cup Final – Ballingarry 0 Pallaskenry 2

A really good game with both teams employing totally different tactics saw Pallaskenry pull off somewhat of a shock in denying Ballingarry the second part of the Division 2 double. Ballingarry dominated throughout but found the winners goalkeeper in Man of the Match form with a string of fine saves with one outstanding save near the end in particular keeping Pallas in the game and when the chances presented themselves they gleefully accepted.
Keith O’Kelly had Ballingarrys best chance of the game when one on one with the keeper put blasted straight at the number 1. As the game wore on it always looked that the first goal could well win it and so it came to pass when Pallaskenry scored from a corner midway through the second half. Ballingarry tried hard and continued to force the play but it was the winners who finally got the all important second with 10 minutes to go.

After the game the clubs Youth player of the year award was presented to Adam Shanagher by manager Dean Clancy.

Sunday April 29th

Division 3 – Broadford Utd B 1 Ballingarry B 1 (Mulqueen)
Ladies Desmond Cup Semi Final – Kilcolman Rovers v Ballingarry (Off due to waterlogged pitch)

Monday April 16th

U12 Boys Division 1 – Ballingarry A 2 (McMahon, Walsh) Abbeyfeale Utd A 3
On a very wet & windy evening both teams served up a great spectacle for those who braved the harsh weather conditions. Playing against a strong breeze in the first half Ballingarry should have been one up after some great passing which resulted in Jack McMahon hitting the crossbar. While Ballingarry enjoyed the lions share of possession they couldn’t convert. Shortly before the break Abbeyfeale took the lead. Another fine team passing movement resulted in Jamie Forde coming close and only for a fine save would have equalised. This was the last action of the first half.
With conditions worsening credit to both teams who continued to play football. In the second half, a goalmouth scramble resulted in Abbeyfeale getting a second. Ballingarry found themselves 2 down which didn’t reflect the game. The home side boys didn’t drop the heads and were rewarded with Jack McMahon pulling one back. The pressure game paid off again with Declan Walsh getting a deserved equaliser. Both teams had chances in the closing stages but it was Abbeyfeale who got a third late on. Ballingarry continued to press the Abbeyfeale goal and a Jamie Forde strike came off the bar with another effort cleared off the line. The game finished 3-2 to the visitors. A draw would have been a fair result but huge credit must go to both teams who despite the poor conditions continued to play football throughout.

U12 Girls Division 1 – Shannonside A 0 Ballingarry A 4

Tuesday April 17th

U12 Girls Division 2 – Ballingarry B 0 Askeaton 0
U13 Boys League – Rathkeale 4 Ballingarry 2

Wednesday April 18th

U14 Girls – Ballingarry 1 (McNamara) Abbeyfeale Utd 1
Ballingarry will be disappointed not to have taken all three points from a game in which they dominated during the second half. The wind was a major factor but even so Ballingarry coped much better against it in the opening half than the visitors in the second. United went ahead in the first and possibly could have had a second but Ballingarry had chances too.
Once Nicole McNamara got Ballingarry back on terms early in the second half it looks as if the home side would win but a combination of bad luck and good defending ensured that the game ended in a draw.

Thursday April 19th

U12 Girls Division 1 – Ballingarry A v Newcastle West Town A (Walkover to Ballingarry)
The points collected from this walkover ensures that Ballingarry cannot be caught at the top of the table and that they are crowned Division 1 champions.

Friday April 20th

Premier Division – Granagh Utd 3 Ballingarry 3 (Forde 3)
Not for the first time this season have Granagh United seen a two goal cushion slip. As they did in the first meeting of these two sides at the start of the season Ballingarry came storming back to deny United victory. The home side took the lead in the second minute when the ball took a wicked deflection to deceive Kelly in goal. Their second came from the spot to see them well ahead at the break.
Kevin Fordes first of three came early in the second half but Granagh restored their 2 goal lead from a corner. Fordes second came from a scramble as the ball was delivered from a free while his third came from the spot after Clancy was fouled by the keeper.
Team: Kelly, Fitzgerald, O’Grady, Hartnett, Browne, Kiely, Clancy, Forde, Moore, Walsh, Ryan.
Used subs: O’Hanlon.

Saturday April 21st

U10 Boys – AK Utd A 4 Ballingarry 5
U12 Girls Cup – Abbeyfeale Utd 0 Ballingarry A 3 (O’Connor 2, Kenny)
The under 12 girls moved towards an unprecedented double as the booked their place in the cup final with this impressive semi final win in Abbeyfeale.

U16 Girls 4/5 Playoff – Ballingarry 2 (O’Connor 2) Askeaton 1
Youths Division 2 League Cup Semi Final – Ballingarry 4 Granagh Utd 0
Ballingarry are in line to complete the Division 2 double as the secured a final place with this easy win against Granagh United. All Ballingarry goals were scored in the first half.

Sunday April 22nd

Division 3 – Ballingarry B v Athea Utd B (Walkover to Ballingarry)
Ladies Premier – Ballingarry 1 (Coughlan) Charleville 0

Wednesday April 11th

U16 Girls – AK Utd A 7 Ballingarry 1

Thursday April 12th

U14 Boys Division 1  – Ballingarry 0 Newcastle West Town A 4

Saturday April 14th

U10 Girls – Kildimo Utd 5 Ballingarry 6 (Carey 4, Morrissey, Quille)

Sunday April 15th

Premier Division – Ballingarry 1 (Forde) Rathkeale 2
Rathkeale were the better team but Ballingarry will still be disappointed not to have reaped a point from the game. Both visitors goals could have been avoided, the second an own goal, while Ballingarry had the best chance of the game when Kiely headed wide from six yards just after Forde had headed home from a corner to draw Ballingarry level at the break.

Rathkeale were already 2-1 up when Ballingarry were reduced to 10 men and even then Ballingarry could have nicked a point in the last minute when Keith O’Kelly surged forward only to see his cross saved on the line after Quaid had shot. Quaid was unlucky to see an earlier snap shot gathered by the keeper.
Team: Kelly, Ahern, Cahill, Fitzgerald, O’Grady, Clancy, Kiely, Smith, Forde, Hayes, Quaid.
Used subs: O’Kelly, O’Connor, Hartnett.

Division 3 League Cup Round 1 – Broadford Utd B 2 Ballingarry B 0
Ladies Premier Division – Ballingarry 1 (F Hickey) Rathkeale 1

Ballingarry FC second annual Fun Run was held on a beautiful Spring day on April 8th 2018.

96 people registered with Marie O’Grady, Kathleen O’Hanlon and Fiona Murphy chief organisers plus a host of others who helped on the day. First runner home was Shane Quille.

More photos available in gallery page.