BALLYDUFF

COISTE NA NÓG:The Ballyduff Under 13 footballers carried their excellent form into last Sunday’s Tommy Madden Memorial final against Moyvane, held in Coolard. Ballyduff were looking to complete their three-in-a-row. Unfortunately, their opponents had other ideas. Moyvane had also cruised through the opposition on their way to the final and they showed why right from the start. After winning the opening throw-in, they quickly worked the ball through the hands before powering a shot into the corner of the net. The early goal stunned Ballyduff and despite some brief sparks of positivity, they never really got to the speed of the game, and were under constant pressure. Goalkeeper Killian Boyle bailed out his defence on more than one occasion to earn the Ballyduff side’s man-of-the-match honour, but there wasn’t enough scoring going on at the other end. Aodhan Curly and Kieran O’Carroll were always threatening but Ballyduff were finding it hard to work the ball all the way to a scoring position before Moyvane managed to break play down. It was a tough day in heavy autumn conditions, but it can take nothing away from the season this group had. Well done to the mentors and players on a top class year. We look forward to a great future from you all!

There was no other underage football or hurling this week as the planned Under 10 excursion to Mungret for the Stephen Cahill football tournament was cancelled due to the impact of the recent poor weather on the fields. So, aside from winter conditioning, it looks as if another spectacular underage GAA season has drawn to a close for Ballyduff. Congrats to all who supported and took part.

SENIOR FOOTBALL: Ballyduff senior footballers had a resounding victory over an under-strength Castleisland Desmonds in the First Round of the North Kerry Senior Football Championship played at Ballyduff on Sunday last. At the end of the first quarter the game was delicately poised as Ballyduff led 1 4 to 0 3 but a purple patch that yielded 1 4 without reply had the home side in the driving seat coming up to the halftime break. Desmonds had a good point from play but a third Ballyduff goal on the stroke of halftime saw them lead 3 8 to 0 4 at the break and an uphill struggle facing Desmonds in the second period. The visitors started the seocnd