Little did we think 12 months ago that we would have to wait more than a year to play our next League matches. Lucky enough our last match day was a memorable one with League success for our U15 Boys and U13A Girls.

March 7th 2020

U13 Girls Major Div

Ballymackey welcomed Lough Derg to a breezy Ballinree for a 12.15pm kick off. Both sides just managed to field the requisite 9 players which meant a full hour of game time for all the girls involved. Ballymackey made their now customary slow start at this level. Playing against the wind in the first half the home side were behind after 2 minutes. Alannah O'Dwyer then scored a quite bizarre own goal which ended up in the back of the net to make it 0-2 to Lough Derg after only 4 minutes.Then Ballymackey decided to play football. Putting the calamities to the back of their minds Alannah went on to have a terrific game at left back. Lisa Fitzgerald who was a late addition to the starting line up was solid at right back and player of the match Jenna Hackett completed the back three at had one of the best defensive performances it has ever been my pleasure to witness.Of course goals win matches and with the defense shored up it fell to the midfield and strikers to play their parts. Quick thinking on an indirect free kick saw Sadhb Connolly set up Mioda O'Shea to finish smartly and get the come back started in the 14th minute. The sides were level in the 20th minute as Sadhb turned scorer this time closing the centre back down well. Ballymackey went in ahead at half time as Sadhb scored again in the 29th minute finishing with her left foot after the keeper saved her initial effort.Playing with the breeze for the second half it was all Ballymackey as they pressed home their advantage. Sadhb scored again to complete her hat trick after 7 minutes of the restart. Brilliant work on the right hand side by Grace Quinn lead to consecutive corners which allowed Aisling Kennedy to earn a richly deserved goal in the 16th minute to make it 5-2. Mioda O'Shea playing with the iconic no.7 on her back deserved to increase the lead as the visiting keeper made some good saves and the frame of the goal denied her.The scoring was completed just before the final whistle as Ella Frend who ran Jenna very close for the player of the match accolade finished well cutting in from the right hand side.It was a brilliant performance by all 9 girls and a thoroughly deserved victory. Full squad: Ava O'Rourke in goal. Lisa Fitzgerald, Jenna Hackett, Alannah O'Dwyer, Grace Quinn, Aisling Kennedy, Mioda O'Shea (capt), Ella Frend and Sadhb Connolly.

Home win secures Premier League Title for U15 Boys

U15s Premier Ballymackey vs Lough Derg.

This morning Ballymackey u15s played their penultimate game of the league season. Going into the game 3 points clear at the top of the table meant this was a crunch game for our boys.Conditions were difficult with a strong wind but despite playing against the wind in the first half Ballymackey created the greater amount of chances and were unlucky not to be 1 or 2 up. The hard work from our boys paid off midway through the half with some good passing and great running by David Feehan with a tidy finish to go 1 up. Unfortunately our lead was short lived and Lough Derg replied with a tidy finish of their own minutes later, leaving it 1-1 at half time.In the second half again Ballymackey took the initiative making most of the running but unable to unlock a strong Loughderg defensive display. Then with less than 10 minutes to go Jake Hackett latched onto a superb dipping shot that flew in !! 2-1 Ballymackey. Today we were really happy to have a full squad of players and what a difference it made especially in the closing minutes allowing us to change to a more defensive formation, add fresh legs and confidently seeing out a great win.With Nenagh and Killavilla drawing their match this morning it means Ballymackey are Under 15s Premier NTSFL League Champions 🏆 A Superb performance from all the squad today. It’s a fabulous achievement by this group of players, this is their third premier league in 4 years and without a doubt one of the strongest underage teams you’ll see. The boys never give up attitude is reflected in their results this season, so well done to you all.We go into our last league game against Silvermines as Champions and hoping to keep our unbeaten record with Cup competition fast approaching. Again well done to the boys today and all season, a hard fought and well won league title. Congratulations.

U13 Boys

Ballymackey Under 13 boys. This top of the table clash served up a great game in Ballinree with the home side playing against a strong wind but Ballymackey had a few chances to go 1 up with Evan Doyle crossing to Jack Kenneally with a great shot outside the box hitting the paint work. Our back 4 played very well it was scorless at half time. The strong wind was no advantage as the away team got the only goal of the game against the run of play Ballymackey pushed and pushed for the equaliser but in the end it was the away side that took the 3 points and won the league.The Ballymackey team can hold their heads up high and look forward to the cup. Congratulations to Killavilla. We would like to congratulate the under 13 girls on winning the league today especially Clodagh Daly who is a big part of out panel well done Clodagh.

U13 Girls Premier

Away win secures Premier League Title for U13 Girls

Ballymackey Under 13 Premier Girls claimed their league today with a 1-2 away win to Holycross. As always there was nothing between both these teams and a extremely high standard of football on display. The Ballymackey girls scored first with a headed goal from Maura Gleeson . Early in the second half Holycross equalised through a penalty but the Ballymackey girls didn’t give up and pushed for a win. Ballymackey launched attack after attack and eventually broke the Holycross defence down through blistering speed from Maeve Cunneen who produced a class finish to the roof of the net. A fitting goal to secure this teams first league title. The girls probably played their best football of the year today and player of the game goes to our captain for the day Maura Gleeson. Well done Maura , when the chips are down we can always depend on you. Today’s Squad included Mollie Ryan, Lucy Gould, Jane Ryan, Nikola Zarina, Maeve Cunneen, Eimhear Troy, Clodagh Daly, Ailbhe Tracey, Maura Gleeson, Robyn O’Dwyer, Kellie O’Dwyer, Tara McCormack, Kitty Murphy and Seonaid McGuigan.

U15 Girls

Ballymackey U15 Girls lost a League encounter at home to Newport. Numbers are tight for us at this age group and it only took a hand-full of absentees to see us take to the field 2 players short. Never the less a storming first half performance saw us only 1 down close to half time, before a bit of inevitable fatigue saw our work-rate drop ever so slightly and 2 quick fire goals made the halftime score of 3-0 reflect very harshly on the Girls. Newport added to their goal tally in the second half but we are very proud of these girls who took the fight to Newport until the final whistle, a group of warriors that don't no the meaning of giving up. The work-rate from the girls was immense throughout and we played some super football played as well. All 9 girls stood tall but special mentions to Emer Moroney and Dara Bourke for standout performances. Team: Abbie O Dwyer, Chloe Whyte, Emer Moroney, Maeve Steed, Devlyn Spillane, Phoebe Sage, Dara Bourke , Caoimhe Delaney and Orla Kelly.