The first club activity of the new season was completed last week (June 30th to July 4th) with the hosting of the fifth FAI Summer Soccer camp. 100 children took part in what was a most enjoyable and rain-free week of fun and football activity.

After a lapse of thirteen years Ballingarry AFC held a presentation night for their schoolboy teams at the Rathkeale House Hotel on Friday night last June 20th. It proved a hugh success with a big crowd attending. Medals were presented to the under 10 B team, runners up in the under 10 Division 4 shield final while the under 12 and under 10 A squad were presented with medals of participation. The under 16s received their Division 1 runners up medals while the occassion was also used to present the winners medals to the under 17 squad.

In addition the various players of the year and each age group top scorers were honoured while the players who were part of the various inter league squads were honoured. Margaret Stokes of the LDSL and junior team manager George Quinlivan were the guests of honour.

Player of the year winners were:
Under 9 A – Aaron Smith
Under 9 B – Mikey Hickey
Under 10 A – Nathan Clancy
Under 10 B – Mark O Kelly
Under 11 – Ryan O Shea
Under 12 – Mark Danagher
Under 13 – David Condron
Under 14 – Damien O’ Donoghue
Under 15 – Shane O’ Doherty
Under 16 – Marcus Moore

Top Scorers were: Under 10 A – Daven O’ Donnell; Under 10 B – Maurice Fitzgibbon; Under 12 – Denis Hayes; Under 14 – John O’ Gorman and Under 16 Kevin Forde.

Rep awards went to: David Condron (Kennedy Cup); John O’ Gorman and Jeff Doherty Under 14 squad; Shane Doherty and Kevin Forde Under 16 squad.

At the clubs well attended AGM on Thursday June 5th 2008 all the outgoing officers and management well returned unopposed. The committees proposal for the introduction of a lifetime membership was passed as was the proposed name of the scheme which will be “The Ballingarry AFC Mikey Danagher Memorial Lifetime Membership Scheme”. A debate was held on the proposed introduction of a junior B team with a decision deferred until nearer the seasons start.

The new committee for the season 2008/09 will be:
President: Moss Doody
Chairman: Pascal Moynihan
Vice Chairman: John Clancy
Secretary: James Clancy
Treasurer: Seamus Burke
Management Committee: Rory Alymer, Declan Hartnett, Tom Burke, Paul Molloy.

The season ended for Ballingarry at Athea last Saturday when the under 10 B Team were beaten 1-0 in the Division 4 shield final.

In other news it proved to be a historic occasion at Clounreask on Saturday (May 31st 2008) for the Limerick Desmond League as they defeated their Limerick counterparts from the LDMC to claim the Oscar Traynor trophy for the first time. The game produced no goals so the all Ireland title was decided on penalties with the locals coming out on top on a 4-3 scoreline. Congratulations to Cristy Purcill and his squad on a major achievement for the league.

Ballingarry clinched the Division 1 title on Sunday last (May 25th 2008) following this 2-1 win against the only side that could have caught them, NCW Rovers. There is no doubt that Ballingarry deserved to win this league with a record that makes more than impressive reading. Onle one loss and five league goals conceded, one of these on Sunday, in an eighteen game programme is championship winning form.

This is George Quinlivans fifth trophy with the club and the first double completed by the juniors having already won the Division 1 league cup against Rathkeale B. Rovers however made Ballingarry battle all the way for the title and they themselves could have been champions had they won on Sunday. Indeed they took the lead through Joyce in the first half, a lead they held at the break but a Mike Corrigan headed goal from a corner and a Joe Scanlon penalty after Kennedy was fouled sent the game and ultimately the trophy Ballingarrys way.

Following last weekends results Ballingarry go into their last game of the season against NCW Rovers knowing that to avoid defeat will see them crowned Division 1 champions for the second time in their history.

Rory Alymer and Denis Kelly scored the goals against Rathkeale B that put them in this position, however Rovers 4-1 trouncing of Athea United also leaves the door open for them as a win will see then win the league. It promises to be a fine finale to a very successful season for Ballingarry having already secured the League Cup and promotion, the title on Sunday would be the icing on the cake.

To boost their confidence even further Denis Kelly has been voted Division 1 Player of the Year. In what proved to be a landslide victory for the player it sees a Ballingarry player getting a junior league award for the first time. He received his award from Bernie Danagher at a function in the Shannon House Foynes on Thursday last May 22.

The 16s lost out on a cup final when they went out to Broadford at the semi final stage last Sunday (May 18th 2008). They were two nil down when awarded a penalty but sadly Steven O’ Briens poorly hit effort was saved. Kevin Moynihans late strike proved no more than a consolation.

The club will hold its AGM on Thursday June 5th at 8.30 in the clubhouse.

Latest News – Tuesday May 14th 2008
Under 16 Division 1 – Ballingarry 6 NCW 5

Ballingarry secured second spot in Division 1 in spectacular fashion winning by the odd goal in eleven. Alan Cronin 2, Steven O’ Brien, Shane Doherty, Jeff Doherty and Marcus Moore were on the mark for the winners.

In junior football Denis Kelly was named as the LDFL division 1 player of the year. Its a major honour for the Ballingarry forward and represents the first occassion that a Ballingarry player has won a junior league award.

Junior Division 1 – Ballingarry 3 Breska Rovers 0

Denis Kelly’s nineteenth goal of the season helped Ballingarry to a 3-0 home win against Breska Rovers. The result sees them needing just a single point from their two remaining games to secure an immediate return to the Premier Divison. Ballingarry lead two nil at the break thanks to goals from Kelly and Rory Alymer. They could even afford a dissallowed penalty from Joe Scanlon for encroachment into the area by a Ballingarry player. Francis Kiely’s early second half strike coupled with their twelveth league clean sheet of the season saw them easy winners at the finish.

In other news Nathan Clancy was named as the LDSL under 10 division 1 player of the year on Saturday evening at the leagues function in NCW. He becomes the first Ballingarry player to win this particular award and only the second ever Ballingarry player to win a player of the year award. Philip Corrigan was the first when he won the LDFL under 18 division 2 award.

Monday May 5th 2008 – Broadford United 2 Ballingarry 1
Ballingarrys last game of a dissapointing season ended with champions Broadford United gaining a 2-1 win. Mark Danagher was the Ballingarry scorer. The result sees Ballingarry finish well down the second division table.

As the season winds to its conclusion games are now coming fast and furious for the underage teams.

The under 10 A team played and lost their last league game on Thursday April 24th at home to Athea United with Alan Hanley getting Ballingarrys consolation in a 3-1 loss. On Wednesday both the under 14s and under 12s played and lost against Creeves (under 14) 2-1 and against Granagh United (under 12) 1-0. Dean Clancy was the under 14 scorer.

This season for the first time in a number of years the club will be holding an underage awards night where the various players from under 9 up to under 16 will be honoured for their various outstanding achievements throughout the season gone. There will be awards for the Player of the Year, top goalscorer plus any medals won by these teams will be presented as well. In addition players selected on the various developement squads will also be honoured. Players from under 12 down and players who did not win a medal will receive a medal of participation. The date for the event is Friday June 20th at the Rathkeale House Hotel.