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Senior Hurling: Larne 3-13 Ballyvarley 5-12

Ballyvarley stepped outside the County for their first pre-season friendly of the new campaign and the trip to Larne proved a fruitful one with a free flowing game of hurling that produced thirty three scores and a morale-boosting five point victory.
The biting cold and the strong wind were the main obstacles on a perfect pitch but once the players warmed to the task they produced an exciting and good tempered game of hurling that tested the fitness levels of both sides to the full.
Two early points for the home side were cancelled out by three points from Paul O’Neill(two 65’s) and a great long range point from half back Eunan McConville. Playing with the advantage of a strong breeze in the first half, Ballyvarley did much of the pressing and five more points from Paul O’Neill saw them open up a useful seven point lead. A Larne goal late in the half came as a bolt out of the blue but just before the interval Colm O’Neill soloed through the home defence to drive to the net to restore the visitors seven point advantage.
Half Time: Larne 1-2 Ballyvarley 1-9
Ballyvarley introduced James McGrath and David McGovern on the restart as the Reds sought to bolster their team as they faced the elements in the second period. With the stiff breeze behind them, Larne tagged on four quick points and, just as expected, Ballyvarley’s first half lead looked like a very slender one indeed. But the Reds were stronger in the second half and did what Larne failed to do in the first half, threaten their opponents goal on a regular basis. Conor Grew drove over a useful point and then James McGrath carried the ball into the wind and buried it in the Larne net for the Red’s second goal of the game.
The game ebbed and flowed from one side to the other with Larne driving over two points before Ballyvarley replied with a goal from David McGovern and a point from Colm O’Neill. A second Larne goal was cancelled out by Paul O’Neill who made the most of the opportunity to drive a 20 metre free into the roof of the net. However, Larne continued to use the wind to full advantage and a further goal and three points reduced the deficit to just three points and the odds were on the home side as the game entered it’s final stages. But Ballyvarley had the players to carry the ball into the wind and once more produced a scoring spurt just when it was needed. Sean O’Neill was enjoying a new lease of life in the forward line and made all the running when firing over a useful point and then Stewart Cartmill raised the cheer of the day when his crisp ground shot flew into the bottom corner of the net to record his first ever goal for the club. Time was virtually up but somehow Larne squeezed another two points onto the score-board before the referee brought an end to an entertaining first encounter between these two clubs. A good result for the Reds but what was more satisfying was the level of performance of everyone and the fact that eight players forced their way onto the score-sheet.
Final Score: Larne 3-13 Ballyvarley 5-12

Team: Sean O’Neill(0-1); Conor McClorey, Niall Higgins, Thomas Lennon; Sean Kennedy, Eunan McConville(0-1), David Lavery; Paul O’Neill(1-8), Ciaran Connolly; Niall Savage, Pat McGrath, Cathal O’Neill; Conor Grew(0-1), Stewart Cartmill(1-0).
Subs: Colm O’Neill (1-1), David McGovern (1-0), James McGrath (1-0)

Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley Hc Club Notes
Senior Hurling
The Ballyvarley Senior Hurlers travelled to Larne for a friendly on Sunday and in wintery conditions emerged winners on a 5-12 to 3-13 score-line.

Senior Hurling training continues every Sunday (12.15pm) and Wednesday (7.15pm) at the field. The Senior hurlers get their league campaign underway on Tuesday 29th April with a trip to Ballycran.

All minor hurlers are to attend Senior hurling training as well with their league beginning very soon. The next fixture for the minors is on the 14th April at home to Warrenpoint at 6.30pm.

Senior Gaelic Football
The Aghaderg senior footballers had a good win over Lurgan side Sarfields winning comfortably by six points on Friday night.

Aghaderg senior Gaelic football training continues on Sunday (11am) at the field. The Senior football league commences Friday 18th April with a home game against St. Johns.

The minor footballers are amalgamated with Tullylish and have commenced training. Anyone interested in playing should contact Graeme Donaghy (07825877614).

Underage Hurling
Ballyvarley’s Under 14 hurlers had their first game on Wednesday night away to Newry Shamrocks. This was a very competitive match and the young reds were unlucky not to win losing out by two points in a nail biting finish. James
O’Meara and Mary Kate Mc Grath were strong in defence. Up front, Christopher Mc Avoy bagged a goal and Ciaran Davis was a constant threat to the Shamrocks defence. Jonathan Lennon weighed in with a Man-Of-The-Match performance
finishing with a tally of 2 – 2 to his name. Ballyvarley’s Under 14 hurlers have a home game on the 9th April against Clonduff. On Wednesday 23 April at7.00 p.m the Reds play Warrenpoint away and on the 30 April they face Newry Shamrocks at home.

The Ballyvarley under 16 hurlers lost their opening league game away to a very strong Carryduff side. The U16 hurlers now have a game away to Bredagh on Friday 11th April @ 6.30pm.

The U-12 hurlers continue to train away and have a home derby match against Ballela on Sat 10th May.

The ability coaching programme for U12 camogs and hurlers has commenced with great attendances and enjoyment had by all. All U12 players in both Camogie and Hurling are invited to these coaching sessions on Saturday mornings @ 11.00. Coaches interested in assisting with the programme would be very welcome. For further information contact Pat McGrath.

Underage Gaelic Football
The U14 & U16 footballers continue to train on Sundays with a good turn out of players. Both groups are amalgamated with Annaclone this season and new players in each age group are very welcome to join. U14s contact Mervyn Colgan 02838832462 and U16s contact Aidan Hegarty 07813713707.

The under 14 footballers have their first game away to Drumgath on Thursday 17th April, followed by a home game against Longstone on 24th April. The under 14s then make the long trip to Attical on the 1st May.

The under 12 footballers have their first game on Sunday 13th April, at home to Annaclone. The following week they have a bye, before playing Tullylish at home on the 27th April and a home game against Glassdrumman on the 4th May.

Ladies Football
Football for girls aged 10 – 14 years has commenced and anyone looking details of it should contact Ciara Devlin 07511477877.

County Hurling
The South Down Senior Hurlers play in the National Hurling League Division 4 final this Sunday against Monaghan. The club is represented by James McGrath, Colm O’Neill and David McGovern and we wish them all the best in the final.

Cul Camp - During the week 7th-11th of July the club will host a Cul Camp where boys and girls under 14 years of age will be coached the skills of Gaelic football, hurling and camogie by a qualified team of Down coaches.

Lotto
Lotto Draw 6/04/08
JACKPOT £2450
1, 5, 12, 23
No winners

Lotto draw to be made this Sunday in Ballyvarley Hall at 7pm.

For further information on any of the above notices contact club Secretary Aidan Hegarty 07813713707.