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Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley HC Club Notes

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Night at the Races

There is a Night at the Races fundraising night for the Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley HC in the Clubhouse on Friday 29^th June. It was a great success last year and everyone is welcome, with a 8.30pm start.

 

Senior Hurling

Ballyvarley senior hurlers entertained Castlewellan last week and despite a good effort the depleted Reds fell to a seven point defeat. Missing a number of key players due to injury and work commitments the Reds began on top with some sustained pressure with a number of goal chances just eluding them. With this let off Castlewellan capitalised notching over two points before goaling from a defensive mistake. The Reds replied soon after when a long ball broke to Leigh McConville who ably despatched the sliothar to the net. Ballyvarley battled to get back into it with Conor McClorey and David Lavery playing exceptionally well at the back and Paul O’Neill and Michael Cairns trying to drive them forward at every opportunity. Paul O’Neill converted three place balls but another goal the locals needed failed to materialise. Castlewellan grew as the half went on to hit the net again and end the half with a good eight point lead.

 

HALF-TIME: Ballyvarley  1-2          Castlewellan  2-7

 

On the restart Ballyvarley were determined to get back into it and hit four points without reply all converted frees from Paul O’Neill. Castlewellan’s lead was down to four but they soon added to that with Cormac McCabe leading the way for the visitors with two converted frees. At this stage the Reds had to take chances at the back in order to get back into the game with their half-backs getting up the field at every opportunity. Conor McClorey got a glorious point from wide on the right by doing exactly this before Eunan McConville struck over under severe pressure.

The four point barrier was becoming hard to break yet Ballyvarley went close with James McGrath now at half-forward going close as did Sean O’Neill. Then on a rare break Castlewellan goaled again as the Ballyvarley defence just switched off for a second.

Both sides traded two points-a-piece the home scores coming from Paul and Colm O’Neill, as Castlewellan staved off some sustained Ballyvarley pressure at the end to take home all the points.

 

FULL-TIME: Ballyvarley 1-10  Castlewellan 3-11

 

The Reds were just missing too many key players on the day against a strong Castlewellan team and as such Ballyvarley struggled at times especially in the middle and upfront. Best on the night for the home team were Conor McClorey and David Lavery who showed well with Pat McGrath playing well at corner back and Leigh McConville getting a good goal upfront.

Hopefully the absentees with recover and help the team push on in the last couple of league games before the start of the Intermediate Championship in August.

 

Forthcoming Ballyvarley Senior Hurling fixtures

Sunday 1^st July – Training in Ballyvarley at 12.15pm.

Tuesday 3^rd July – Paortaferry Vs Ballyvarley (Throw at 7.30pm)

Tuesday 24^th July – Ballyvarley Vs Warrenpoint (Throw in at 7.30pm)

 

 

Underage Hurling

 

St Patrick’s Under 14 hurling team play away to Bredagh on Wednesday 27^th June. The previous encounter between the two sides was in the semi-final of the championship and that was a tight encounter with St Patrick’s just winning by a goal. St Patrick’s know they will need everyone to be at there best for this game. Ballyvarley players are to meet at 5.40pm in Ballyvarley. Ballela players are to meet at 6pm beside Thompson’s Garage in Dromore. Throw in at Cherryvale in Belfast is at 7.30pm.

 

Forthcoming St Patrick’s under 14 fixtures

Wednesday 4^th July – St Patrick’s Vs Clonduff

Match in Ballela. Ballyvarley players meet in Ballyvarley at 6.25pm. Ballela players meet in Ballela at 7pm.

 

Then Holidays for 2 weeks.

 

Wednesday 18^th July – Bye. No match.

 

Wednesday 25^th July – Portaferry Vs St Patrick’s

Meet in Ballyvarley at 5.30pm sharp.

 

Down Hurling Development squads

 

There continues to be a sizeable contingent from Ballyvarley on the under 14 Hurling development squads. They have trained of the past couple of months in Downpatrick and have gained alot from the experience. The Ballyvarley players on the Under 14 development squad are: Michael McAllister, Thomas McKernan, Cathal McGrath, Christopher Martin, Tony Hegarty and Patrick Mackin.

 

Down Minor ‘B’ Hurling

In preparation for their Ulster Minor ‘B’ Hurling championship tie against Donegal, the Down Minor ‘B’ Hurling team played Armagh in Kileavey on Friday evening. The team drawn from the non-Ards had four Ballyvarley lads on the team, Paul O’Neill at midfield, Thomas Lennon at centre full-forward, and Conor McClorey at left half-forward. The three lads played well Thomas Lennon impressing with a goal and a point and Paul O’Neill getting four points. The result was 4-7 to 2-8 in favour of the Down team. The Down Minors now play Donegal in the Ulster Minor ‘B’ Championship Final. No time or venue confirmed yet but will probably take place on Saturday 30^th June.

Sent in by Colm O’Neill