It is just over 10 years since Ballingarry last won the Desmond Cup, here are highlights of that great day.

Ballingarry A.F.C. will hold its Annual General Meeting on Friday next June 16th 2017 at 9PM in the Clubhouse.
In accordance with club rule no. 12 all nominations and motions must be in writing and either handed, posted or emailed to the Hon. Secretary to reach him not later than one week prior to the meeting i.e. Friday 9th June 2017.
In accordance with club rule 12a. Nominations and motions can only be accepted from fully paid up members.

The Junior Player of the Year award will be presented at the AGM. In addition Special Achievements Awards will also be presented. As this is the most important club meeting of the year it is hoped that all members will make a special effort to attend.

Wednesday May 17th

U14 Cup Final – Ballingarry 2 (M Molloy, OG) Askeaton 1

The last underage game of the season produced a fabulous game of football with Ballingarry the better team with justice being done at the death when Ballingarry lifted the cup at the expense of Askeaton in Rathkeale. The first half was even with Askeaton holding the lead at the break form a goal that will have disappointed Ballingarry. Ballingarry had hit the post twice before Askeaton scored and one felt it may be one of those nights.

The second half was a different matter as Ballingarry battered their opponents from the off. A combination of desperate defending, bad luck and wayward finishing kept the Askeaton goal intact. Wave after wave of Ballingarry attacks was looking increasingly like it may end in tears but then as it appeared it was slipping away up popped Mike Molloy to power home a header at the far post to draw the teams level. Extra time loomed until two minutes from time when the ball was driven into the box and one of the Askeaton defender, in a desperate attempt to clear his lines, rifled the ball to the net. It was no more than Ballingarry deserved as they lifted the U14 cup for the second time in their history.

Friday May 19th

Premier Division – Ballingarry 1 (Forde) Athea United 3

A massive blow to Ballingarrys survival hopes as Athea won 3-1 at The Paddocks. Denis Kelly went closest for Ballingarry early in the second half when he almost caught the keeper off his line, this following a goalless first half. Almost immediately Athea scored from a header at the far post from a corner. Kevin Forde equalised with a brave header connecting with a cross from the left. However Athea restored their advantage after Ballingarry lost possession on the halfway line and the visitors broke to score. Ballingarry kept pressing but it was United who got the next goal in the last two minutes to secure all three vital points.
Team: Kenrick, C Kiely, Fitzgerald, O’Grady, E Cahill, O’Connor, Clancy, Forde, Kelly, Smith, F Kiely.
Subs Used: Moore, Ryan, Herlihy.

Sunday May 21st – Survival Secured for Ballingarry

NCW 1 Ballingarry 3 (Donal O’Grady 2, F Kiely)

The curtain came down on the season for the club and with it Premier survival for the junior team thanks to this win at NCW. A goalless first half would saw Ballingarry assume control in the second with goals from Donal O’Grady and Francis Kiely giving Ballingarry a cushion. NCW pulled one back before O’Grady with a second secured all three points and ensured Ballingarry would play Premier football in 2018.
Team: Kelly; Fitzgerald; N Cahill; O’Grady; Clancy; Moore; Herlihy; O’Connor; Donal O’Grady; Ahern; D Kelly.
Used Subs: Ryan; Kiely; O’Callaghan.

Thursday May 11th

Under 12 Girls Division 1 Shield Final – Ballingarry 2 (O’Connor, Kenny) Askeaton 1 aet.

In the most dramatic finish possible Ballingarry lifted the Division 1 shield with a 2-1 extra time win. The game was even from the word go with Askeaton taking the lead early in the second half. Ballingarry had chances before they eventually drew level when Kate O’Connor’s effort was too powerful and the keeper left it through her hands. Both teams had chances before the end as the game went to extra time.

Here Ballingarry were the better with the Askeaton keeper the busier. Then with time almost up Donny Kenny made a surging run towards the Askeaton goal only to be fouled. She set the free up herself and with the last kick of the game scored a superb goal to secure the shield. Ballingarry have played some fabulous football through the season and this display was no different. Their approach and preparation over the season well merited a trophy and the scenes of joy at the end was well deserved. Congratulations to them and their managers Shane Markham, Micky McNamara and Leanne Forde.

Monday May 15th – Phoenix Stunner Wins Shield

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Under 16 Girls Division 1 Shield Final – Ballingarry 2 (Mulcaire-Shire 2) NCW 1

A magnificent strike by Phoenix Mulcaire-Shire, her second of the game, saw Ballingarry retain the U16 girls shield at the expense of NCW at Rathkeale on Monday evening last. A truly enjoyable game was lit up by the wonder strike just two minutes after NCW had equalised, Mulcaire-Shires first half opener in which Ballingarry held the lead at the break. Both teams hit the woodwork with NCW the first to threaten in the opening five minutes. Ballingarrys first goal was all about brilliant work from Nicole McNamara as she powered her way through the NCW defence to set up cousin Phoenix who slotted home from ten yards.

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The second half opened with NCW pressing and their efforts were rewarded with an equaliser in the first five minutes. The lead lasted barely a couple of minutes when Anna Mullane made a brilliant run beating several defenders to cross for Phoenix to score. It would prove the winner although there were some scares at either end before the final whistle. This was yet another typical Ballingarry performance, full of fine passing play and imagination. Congratulations to the team and their management of Toby O’Doherty, Damien Shanaher and Martha O’Connor.

Ballingarry had four winners in the Player of the Year results announced earlier this week. Leah Twomey (U14 Girls Div.1), Orla O’Doherty (U16 Girls Div. 1), Mike Molloy (U14 Div 1) and Dylan Picard (U12 Div. 2) all picked up their respective awards and will be presented with same later in the month. No other club in the league had more winners, surely a positive reflection on the quality of work being done at underage level within the club. Congratulations to all our winners and of course to the managers and coached who played a major role in their success.

Sunday May 7th

Premier Division – Glin Rovers 2 Ballingarry 0
Both goals were scored in the first half when Ballingarry lost possession for both goals. The second half saw Ballingarry hold out while under incessant pressure.
Team: Barrett, Rankin-Hehir, E Cahill, C Kiely, N Cahill, Clancy, Forde, O’Connor, O’Hanlon, O’Callaghan, F Kiely.

Monday May 8th

U14 Girls League Final – Abbeyfeale 2 Ballingarry 1 (McNamara)
It was more heart ache at the hands of Abbeyfeale as the team that knocked them out of the cup also beat them in the league final. Ballingarry played some neat football but were undone by two first half goals. Nicole McNamara reduced the deficit with a glorious strike before the break but this was as good as it got for Ballingarry as the winners proved the better team in the second half and but for stout defensive play from Ballingarry would have won by a greater margin.

After an absence of 6 seasons, youth football will return to Ballingarry AFC for season 2017-2018. The club management committee are currently seeking suitable personnel to form part of a 3 person coaching/management structure to manage the team for the upcoming season. As always we in Ballingarry AFC welcome interested players and coaches from Ballingarry itself and surrounding areas to contact us if interested in participating at any age group.

Visit Contact Page for contact details.

Monday April 24th

U14 Boys Division 1 – Abbeyfeale Utd A 2 Ballingarry 4
Ballingarry finished off their league season in style with a fine win at Abbeyfeale. Third spot in the league was secured and they can now prepare for their first ever under 14 cup final.

U10 Boys Group 1 – Ballingarry 5 Abbeyfeale Utd 3

Wednesday April 26th
U14 Boys Division 3 – Ballingarry B 0 Athea Utd 5

Saturday April 29th

U12 Girls Division 1 – Kilcolman Rovers 1 Ballingarry 3 (Clancy, Kenny 2)
A goal in the first two minutes from Abbie Clancy sent Ballingarry on their way to the three points and securing a third place finishing position and a shield final appearance against Askeaton. As always they played beautiful football but were unable to convert the many chances they created in the first half. Kilcolman started the second half with purpose and drew level in the first minute. However two superb goals from Donna Kenny sealed the points for Ballingarry.

U13 Cup Round 1 – Newcastle West 4 Ballingarry 2

Sunday April 30th

Premier Division – Killeaney 1 Ballingarry 3 (Clancy, Kelly, Herlihy)
Ballingarry moved five points off the relegation spot with this six pointer at Killeaney on Sunday. Dean Clancy gave Ballingarry a half time lead when he converted from the spot and with Denis Kelly adding a second and Sean Herlihy a third the points were secured. Killeaneys consolation came in the last five minutes.
Team: Kenrick, O’Grady, E Cahill, Fitzgerald, Kiely, Moore, Clancy, Kelly, Ahern, Browne, N Cahill.
Used Subs: Herlihy, Donal O’Grady, O’Connor.

Friday April 14th

Desmond Cup Round 4 – Abbeyfeale United 3 Ballingarry 0
The better team won to leave Ballingarry with a relegation battle on their hands.

Saturday April 15th

U12 Girls Division 1 – Abbeyfeale Utd 0 Ballingarry 3 (Clancy, 0’Connor, Kenny)
Another fine performance from the girls see them in with a glorious chance of making the shield final.

Monday April 17th

U16 Girls Cup Final – More disappointment for Ballingarry.
AK United 3 Ballingarry 0

The teams were level at the break with the best Ballingarry chance falling to Mulcaire-Shire. The game was lost in the opening ten minutes of the second half when AK got two well taken goals. Ballingarry never recovered with a third AK goal following in the closing minutes. Ballingarry now finish runners up in both the cup and the league which of course is success in itself but also a disappointing finish to what was a promising season.

Thursday April 20th

Girls U14 Cup Semi Final – Ballingarry 0 Abbeyfeale United 2

Saturday April 22nd

U10 Girls – Kildimo Utd 2 Ballingarry 5
Premier Division – Carrig Celtic 1 Ballingarry 2 (Fitzgerald, Kelly)

The return of Denis Kelly from retirement may yet prove a master stroke if Ballingarry are to avoid relegation. Almost instant dividends have been returned as he scored the winner in Ballingarrys crucial 2-1 win at Carrig Celtic last Sunday. Brian Fitzgerald gave Ballingarry the lead which Carrig cancelled out before the break. But they up popped Kelly to secure the points.
Team: Kenrick; Ahern, N Cahill, Fitzgerald, O’Grady, Clancy, Moore, Smith, E Cahill, Forde, Kelly.
Sub used: A O’Connor.

Ballingarry AFC saw four players pick up awards at the Ladies League awards night in Rathkeale on Friday April 21st last. Rachel Anderson of AFC received the Youth Premier lge player of the year. Desmond Cup player of the match Noirin Lenihan received her award, and Premier League top scorer Joanne O’Gorman received her trophy. Fiona Hickey won the Player of the League Cup Final award. Congratulations to all four.

Premier Division League Cup Final – Ballingarry (1) 2 (O’Gorman, O’Connell) Abbeyfeale Utd (0) 0

Played on an excellent surface at Woodfield Estate, home of Newcastle West Rovers and with the sun shining throughout Ballingarry retained the Premier Division League Cup with a deserved 2-0 win over Abbeyfeale Utd. The holders were the better team for long spells of this game and created more chances which ultimately merited the success at the end of eighty minutes.

Ballingarry attacked from the off and after only two minutes a good run down the wing by right back Rachel Anderson saw her cross into the area but Abbeyfeale cleared the danger. Two minutes later Anderson was involved again and delivered another cross from near the corner flag which came to Lorna O’Connell whose shot was saved by the feet of keeper Rebecca McGuinness. The pressure was maintained as from the loose ball Joanne O’Gorman sent over a chipped cross to the back post from where Emer Hickey won a corner which came to nought. Seven minutes from this O’Connell picked out O’Gorman but her shot didn’t have the requisite power to test the Abbeyfeale keeper. The same two players were involved again soon after for Ballingarry when O’Connell was fouled outside the right edge of the box but O’Gorman’s free kick was well wide.

Abbeyfeale were finding it difficult to get behind a Ballingarry defence where Theresa Mulcaire and Sarah Crotty were excelling. On nineteen minutes they got an opportunity to do so when Melissa got the ball in midfield and played an excellent diagonal pass out to the right to Rebecca Daly who got the end line and crossed low into the box but the ball was too near keeper Catherine Murphy who gathered at the near post. Then back at the other end Emer Hickey had a free kick saved by McGuinness. With Abbeyfeale not having any clear cut chances it was vital that when they did get one they would have to capitalise on it and with eight minutes to half time they had a glorious chance when Patricia O’Leary got behind the Ballingarry rear guard with only the keeper to beat but she appeared to be caught in two minds as what was the best option with the result being that the ball ran away from her and was gathered by Murphy at the edge of the area. That miss was to prove costly as Ballingarry opened the scoring two minutes from half time when an Emer Hickey cross from the left was controlled by O’Gorman before firing to the net and at half time Ballingarry it was that had a slender year.

From the kick off for the second half it was Ballingarry who were first out of the blocks with Emer Hickey winning a corner which O’Gorman delivered to the back post where O’Connell was unlucky not to get a header on target. The holders continued to press and on forty four minutes doubled their lead when O’Connell curled a beautiful strike into the top left corner from twenty five yards after good play involving Claire Gohery and Mary Shire. Good goalkeeping by McGuinness saw her gather the ball in a crowded goalmouth following a left wing cross from Hickey and she followed this up by holding a well struck effort from Anderson. Then excellent defending by Abbeyfeale right back Dyon Keane saw her take the ball off the line following a Ballingarry corner from their right. On seventy one minutes Fiona Hickey curled an effort just over as Ballingarry remained in control. A strong run by Abbeyfeales Kris Hennessy saw her fouled just outside the box but the resultant free kick didn’t test the opposing keeper. Muireann Cahill tried very hard when introduced and on a few occasions got down the right and put over crosses but a Ballingarry defender always seemed to be in a good position to clear these. Soon after Pat O’Connor sounded the final whistle and Ballingarry had retained the premier league cup.

Ballingarry: Catherine Murphy, Rachel Anderson, Yvette Moynihan, Theresa Mulcaire, Sarah Crotty, Fiona Hickey, Mary Shire, Claire Gohery, Joanne O’Gorman, Lorna O’Connell, Emer Hickey (capt). Subs used Kristy Carroll, Jennifer Lee, Amy Harnett, Noirin Lenihan. Also Aine Tangney, Brenda O’Keeffe, Cathy Mee.

Wednesday March 29th

U12 Girls Division 1 – Askeaton 2 Ballingarry 1 (Clancy)
Ballingarry were by far the better team playing superb football throughout. Askeaton took their chances while Ballingarry were unlucky in front of goal and that was the difference.

Thursday March 30th

U14 Boys Division 1 – Ballingarry 6 (M Molloy 2, J Molloy, Kelly, Quinn, Geary) AK Utd 3

Saturday April 1st

U8 Girls – Ballingarry 6 Newcastle West Rovers 1
U10 Boys Group 1 – Ballingarry 8 (Markham, Molloy 2, Long 2, Meahan 3) Newcastle West Rovers A 1
U14 Boys Division 3 – Abbeyfeale Utd B 5 Ballingarry B 9
U14 Boys Cup Semi Final – AK Utd 1 Ballingarry 3 (M Molloy 2, Lynch)
U16 Girls Division 1 – Ballingarry 1 Askeaton 1

Sunday April 2nd

Premier Division – Killeaney v Ballingarry OFF