Minor football championship final
Our U18 team played the final of the division 3 football championship on Sunday, November 28, taking on Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels in Shanballymore.
In an entertaining encounter, Ballycastle - who were minus a number of their stronger players due to injury - put in a battling performance. At half-time, they trailed 2-04 to 1-02. They continued to be competitive throughout the second half but they could not get the scores to eat in to the deficit and by the end, a physically stronger Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels side emerged victorious on a 2-09 to 1-03 scoreline.
Congratulations to the winners on a fine victory. This concludes the year for the U18 group who can be pleased with a competitive year, during which they secured the U18 hurling League title. Thanks to all of the players and the coaches for their commitment over the course of the season and enjoy the well-deserved break.
U21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The curtain finally came down on Ballycastle Gaels season on Sunday last, December 5, when they exited the U21 football championship. This game took place in Buttevant, with St Kevins providing the opposition. Ballycastle were minus a number of key personnel due to injuries and work commitments, so knew they would be up against it.
The game was played in splendid December sunshine and credit must go to the Buttevant club for having their pitch in great condition for the time of year. St Kevins opened the scoring with a point on two minutes. Ballycastle settled to their task and played some great possession based football. In the ninth minute a speculative ball from Brian was fielded in the large square by Dylan Collins and he made no mistake in finishing to the net from close range. Points from Dylan O’Connor and Gearoid, who finished off a length of the field move which was arguably the score of the match, saw Ballycastle lead 1-02 to 0-03 at the water break.
As so often happens, the water break can alter momentum and so it was on this occasion too, with St Kevins scoring 2-01 in quick succession to take a grip on the game. The second goal came from a penalty, which looked dubious and was despatched expertly by St Kevins. Ballycastle were left to rue three missed goalscoring opportunities in this period, all saved by the feet of the St Kevin’s goalkeeper. By half-time, they led 2-05 to 1-02.
Ballycastle emerged in determined fashion in the second half, scoring the first two points of the half. However, St Kevins responded with a goal at this stage which was a sucker punch for our lads. Despite this, they continued to press and two further points from Dylan O’Connor ensured the lads were in touch going in to the last quarter.
Ballycastle threw caution to the wind and tried to get the elusive goal - however, it was not to be, as St Kevins defended stoutly. Indeed they had the final say when catching Ballycastle with a counter attack to score the clinching goal. The final scoreline was St Kevin 4-09 Ballycastle Gaels 1-07.
A DETERMINED EFFORT
Credit must go to our lads, who never stopped trying throughout the game, and when they look back on this, they will rue that two minutes in the second quarter. Congratulations to St Kevins and best of luck to them in the final against Kilara Óg. Thanks also to the referee John O’Leary who officiated the game very well, helped in no small part by two teams who came to play football.
This concludes the year for our U21s, a huge thanks to the players and the backroom team for their efforts this year. In Covid times, it was a feat to get these championships played at all and hopefully next year they will take place earlier in the year. All bar two of the Ballycastle players are U21 again next year, so there is no reason why they can’t go on and be very competitive in 2022.
Team: John Roche, Tommy Barrett, Jeff Gowen, Mark Burdett, Liam Sugrue, Eoin Twomey, Sean Sugrue, Patrick Sheehan, Dylan Collins (1-00), Dan Cooney, Aiden O’Leary, Gearoid Roche (0-01),Barry Geary, Brian Lombard, Dylan O’Connor (0-06).
SEASON’S GREETINGS
Ballycastle Gaels would like to take this opportunity to wish our players, coaches, volunteers and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope to see you all back on the pitches in a more normal environment in 2022. Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go leir.
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