|
All-Ireland Fact file
Sunday will mark the 111th All-Ireland football final It will be Galway's 20th appearance in the final. They have won 7 and lost 12. Bank of Ireland County under-16 'A' final Aiden Henry Reports Classy Ballina prove too strong for Ballaghaderreen Ballina Stephenites..............2 - 9 Ballaghaderreen..................0 - 6 Ballina Stephenites were crowned the new Mayo under-16 champions following their well deserved victory over Ballaghaderreen in the final which was played at the Fr. O'Hara Memorial park, Charelstown, on Saturday evening last. Although there was nine points between the sides at the finish this was by no means easy for the Ballina boys. They were made work very hard for their victory by a very eager Ballaghaderreen fifteen. However, there was no doubt but Ballina who last won the title in 1987 were the better team on the day. They were very strong throughout the field and super fit. Some of the their movements upfield and scores were a delight to watch. I expect that we will be hearing a lot more about this team in the years ahead. Ballaghaderreen to their credit never gave. When they will look back on this game they will realise that they blew their chances of victory in the opening half when playing with the breeze. They had numerous chances especially in the opening fifteen minutes to open up a good lead. However, the forwards failed to make the most of these chances which proved very costly at the final whistle. Ballaghaderreen who were playing with the aid of the fairly strong breeze in the opening half started as if they were going to run riot. Micheal Solan and Joseph McCann won the early exchanges at midfield which resulted in their forwards getting a lot of possession. After missing two early changes Stephan Drake put them in front with a fine point in the fourth minute. The East Mayo boys continued to have the lion's share of the possession but their forwards were finding it very difficult to get past the very stern Ballina defence. Ballina's opening score of the game came in the 10th minute when Aiden O'HARA was on target with a twenty-one yards free. This score seemed to settle the Ballina boys who began to win a lot more possession especially around the middle of the field. Yet, Ballaghaderreen continued to create plenty of chances but the forwards either sent the ball wide or into the arms of David Clarke in the Ballina goals. Indeed, I counted five times during the first-half where the ball was kicked straight into Clarke's hands. The score of the half came in the 20th minute when Ballina's centre-half forward, Aiden O'HARA raced through the Ballaghaderreen defence before sending over a brilliant point. Four minutes later the same player had a glorious chance of a goal when a fine passing movement involving Patrick Harte, Dwane Helly, Brian Queenan ended with O'HARA who watched in agony as his shot just went the wrong side of the post. Three minutes the North Mayo side increased their lead with a point from a free by Queenan. This score was cancelled out at the other end of the field just on the stroke of half-time when Conall O'Gara at last found the range for Ballaghaderreen. This Ballina in front by 0 - 3 to 0 - 2 at the break. On the restart it was Ballina who were now aided by the breeze that got off to a flying start. Brian Queenan kicked a great point from a forty yards free before they got their first goal in the 34th minute. A great passing movement between Patrick Harte, Queenan and Diarmuid Loftus ended with Dwane Helly blasting the ball to the net. With Harte and Devenney winning more possession at midfield Ballina continued to dominate and went six points clear in the 41st minute following a great point from Harte. John Mitchell got Ballaghaderreen first score of the half-a point from play in the 42nd minute but this score was quickly cancelled out at the other end of the field by Brian Queenan. Phillip O'Grady for Ballaghaderreen and Aidan O'HARA for Ballina swopped points to leave six between the sides as the game entered the last quarter. The game ended as a contest in the 49th minute after Diarmuid Loftus crashed the ball to the back of the Ballaghaderreen after receiving a great pass from his captain, Enda Devenney. Ballina finished off with points from Patrick Harte and James Durkan. Although Andrew Moran and John Mitchell scored two more points for Ballaghaderreen it only proved to little too late. For Ballina it was once again a great team performance. However, the Bank of Ireland man of the match award for the Ballina side went to one of the Mayo stars of the future, Brian Queenan. Ballaghaderreen were naturally disappointed at the final whistle but they played their part in a great final. They had star players in Martin Fleming ( B.O.I. award winner from Ballaghaderreen), Thomas Naughton, Eamon Colleran, Andrew Moran, Joseph McCann, Micheal Solan, Barry Regan and John Mitchell. Ballina: David Clarke, Brendan Giblin, Colm Leonard, John Mattimoe, Micheal McHale, Brendan O'Grady, Brian Morrow, Patrick Harte (0-2), Enda Devaney, Dwane Helly (1-0), Aiden O'HARA (0-3), Fergus Quinn, Brian Queenan (0-3), Diarmuid Loftus (0-1) and James Durkan. Ballaghaderreen: Fergal O'Gara, Martin Fleming, Thomas Naughton, Martin Hannon, Eamon Colleran, Philip O'Grady (0-1), Andrew Moran (0-10, Micheal Solan, Joseph McCann, Conall O'Gara (0-1), Barry Regan, Kenneth Duffy, Stephan Drake (0-1), John Mitchell (0-2) and Sean Mangan. Subs used: Alan Durkin for (Hannon), Joe Dillon for (Duffy) and James Kilcullen for (O'Gara). Referee: Jimmy Coen (Hollymount).
Telegraph Sports Desk..... Telegraph Sports Desk....... G.A.A. Ballina under 16 's won the county championship title, beating Ballaghadereen on Saturday while in the west Mayo junior A final Tourmakeady triumphed over Westport and Park took the B title by beating Louisburgh.. There is a full report inside our extensive sports section on both games from Aiden Henry and photographic coverage. Also on the G.A.A. front Claremorris won the O'Mara Cup while in east Mayo, Moy Davitts beat Eastern Gaels to qualify for the est final against Kilmovee Shamrocks. Basketball: October 10th has been set as the deadline for registration and affiliation with the Mayo basketball Board. Mr Joe Hennigan who was re-elected as Mayo chairman last week, has called on clubs in the county for more cooperation to ensure a smooth running of the Ladies and Mens League. Trish Naylor (Battle) was appointed fixtures secretary for both the ladies and Mens League while P.R.O is John Melvin. The Board is to urgently seeking support from the I.B.A. (Irish Basketball Association)to run a reveres course and a refresher course for established referees. John Hynes and Triene Kennedy were again appointed as referee coordinators for the forthcoming leagues Hurling: The Mayo County senior Hurling final has been fixed for Charlestown on Saturday next September 26th at 6.p.m. Tooreen and Castlebar will meet in the final, Castlebar having beaten Ballyhaunis in last Sunday's semi-final. A social will be held in the Anchor Bar in Belmullet to honour the All-Ireland minor title winning side. The Mayo Hurling Board sincerely thanks larry McEllin of Genfitt and Mark Deely Opticians for their sponsorship of the minor team. Volleyball: Well done to Newport schoolgirl, Kate Hanrahan, who has been selected on the Irish Senior Ladies Volleyball team. Kate is a students of Mount St Michael's Convent, Claremorris, where she captained the school's senior volleyball team which reached the all-Ireland final last year. The previous year Kate was a member of the school's cadette team which won the all-Ireland and she was also selected that year to represent her country at under 16 level. Her elevation to the senior team is a great honour for Kate and her school and all at Mount St. Michael's wish her the very best of luck. SPORTS TALK: Well known journalist, Paul Kimmage. will be guest of Castlebar County Library on Tuesday night next at which he will read extracts form his book "A Rough Ride" which deals with his in-depth writing on the Tour De France which he participated in as a professional cyclists. Kimmage is a very highly regarded journalist and is the Author-in-Town as part of a series being organised by the Castlebar Library. Admission on the night is free and it gets underway at 9.00p.m. G.A.A.: Knockmore have been pitted in the same group as Wicklow, Down and Donegal in the annual Kilmacud Crokes Beamish All-Ireland 7-a-side which will be held on Saturday prior to the all Ireland final. Knockmore will be among 48 teams taking part in this very popular event. Galway Fund Raiser: A fund raising night for the Galway Team Training Fund will be held in McGodrick's, Castlebar this Thursday night. Four all-Ireland tickets will be raffled and there will be lots of fund and entertainment provided on the evening which gets under at around 9.00p.m.
McHale and Marsh to team up again Basketball: John Melvin Liam McHale and Deora Marsh, one of Irish basketball's most lethal combinations, seem set to team up again for another season.. This follows the decision by Liam McHale to turn down an offer to play with Sligo in the Super. League and stay on with Ballina in division one. However McHale is likely to miss the opening game of the season as it comes on October 3rd, the night before Ballina are due to play Crossmolina in the county senior football final. The decision by McHale to stay with his old club is good news for basketball followers in the county, many of whom had genuine fears for Ballina's future if McHale had decided to join neighbouring Sligo. With Deora Marsh expected to sign up with the club for another season, Ballina may also decide to look for another player under the Bosman ruling which allows them to sign some of the top European players. Unlike the Super league, which allows clubs to sign two Americans, no American players are allowed participate in division one. However, Ballina will be entitled to sign up Americans for their Cup bid, the draw for which will be made next week and there is a good chance that one of their most successful signings, Shannon Sweeney, will be invited back for the Cup.. Sean McHale has been appointed as team coach while Anthony McHale, who announced his retirement last season, is expected to take down the boots for at least one more year as the club bids to return to the Super league next season. Terry Kennedy, who stepped down as coach at the end of the season will be involved in a coaching consultative capacity as well; as a committee member. It is not clear if Sligo player John Quigley, who made a big impact with Ballina last season, will be staying on. He has received an offer from Tolka Rovers and is understood to be considering his position. Division one is divided into two conferences- with Queens of Belfast and a Rockets team also from Belfast along with Moycullen in Ballina's section They will play each other twice while Ballina will also play the teams in the other conference-Clare Jets, Neptune, Tralee, Castleisland and Marathon limerick. Jim Browne has been installed as club chairman, John McManus secretary and P.R.O is James Cunningham. Ballina open their league campaign with a home match against St. Galls of Belfast on October 3rd.
|
