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U-14 CAMOGIE
Aghaderg V Kilcoo

Aghaderg were at home to Kilcoo on Tuesday night and the local girls gave a really good account of themselves. This is the first U-14 team the club have fielded. It was a very competitive match with no quarter given. Mary Kate Mc Grath opened the scoring for the reds with a superb long range point from way out on the wing. Kilcoo however went straight back up the field to lay siege on the Aghaderg goalmouth but some sterling defending from Sinead O’Meara clearing the ball long up field relieved the pressure.
Aideen Colgan, Ciara Lennon and Aoibhin Mc Kay were also strong at the back with Kilcoo finding it hard to break them down. Laura Stewart and Kung Williamson were putting in a lot of hard work around the middle of the field and supplying good ball into the forward line.
After a long period of endeavour but no scores, Laura Stewart gathered the ball and found Mary Kate Mc Grath out on the left wing who in turn sent in a long range effort which found the back of the Kilcoo net. Haley Lennon almost found the Kilcoo net again but for a great save from the visitors net minder. The reds continued to press forward as the game neared the half time whistle. Shots from Hannah Malone, Danielle Stewart and Janine Mc Grath were unlucky not to have registered at least one major. The ball hit the post, hit the keeper and flashed narrowly wide as they piled on the pressure.

Half Time Score: Aghaderg 1-1 Kilcoo 0-0.

Grainne Moran, Megan Gartland and Aine Mc Grath were introduced in the second half and not long after the restart Aine Mc Grath almost hit the net with an angled shot from the left but the keeper made a fine save. Kilcoo began to push forward but once again Sinead O’Meara showed her skill and strength to win the ball and send it long out of defence. Mary Kate Mc Grath was having a player of the match performance and carried the ball repeatedly deep into enemy territory. On one such attack, Mary Kate received a good pass from Laura Stewart and she dispatched a low drive to the corner of the Kilcoo net to increase the locals lead. Kilcoo had chances too with shots just flashing past the posts and some last ditch defending kept them out. Haley Lennon and Grainne Moran were unlucky not to get their name on the score sheet with shots on target but well saved by the Kilcoo defence. The reds stood firm as the game came to a close and managed to keep Kilcoo scoreless.

Full Time Score: Aghaderg 2-2 Kilcoo 0-0.

This was a good team performance with some very good individual performances as well from Mary Kate Mc Grath, Sinead O’Meara, Laura Stewart, Kung Williamson.
TEAM: Kitty Cranney, Sinead O’ Meara, Aideen Colgan, Ciara Lennon, Aoibhin Mc Kay, Mary Kate Mc Grath (2-2), Laura Stewart, Kung Williamson, Haley Lennon, Danielle Stewart, Hannah Malone, Janine Mc Grath.
SUBS: Megan Gartland, Sarah Johnson, Aine Mc Grath, Grainne Moran, Hannah Thompson.

U-12 CAMOGIE LEAGUE
Aghaderg V Castlewellan
The U-12’s got their league campaign under way last Saturday with a home fixture against Castlewellan. The young reds played well but were beaten by a much stronger Castlewellan outfit. Kung Williamson, Haley Lennon and Katie Canniford were best on the day for the locals.
TEAM: Hannah Thompson; Katie Canniford, Megan Gartland, Laura Fletcher, Kitty Cranney, Sarah Rafferty, Danielle Stewart, Haley Lennon, Hannah Malone, Tierna Lennon, Elena Murray, Kung Williamson
SUBS: Sorcha Campbell, Sarah Malone, Rachel Canniford.

Under 14 Hurling Feile
Ballyvarley U14 hurlers travelled to Portaferry to participate in the annual Feile competition and their opening match saw them drawn against Shamrocks. The young reds were not deterred by a recent defeat by the Newry side and produced a fine display. Winning 2-4 to 0-1.
The defence remained solid throughout the game with Paedar McGrath, Cairon Davis, and James O’Meara closing down attacks and giving the forwards a good supply of ball. Jonathan Lennon was on fine shooting form notching up 1,2, also Rory McShane added two fine points from play making best use of the space available. Chris McEvoy remained a constant treat in front of goal also found the net with a ground strike.
Final score Ballyvarley 2-4 Shamrocks 0-1

Victory in the opening match earned the reds an extremely difficult challenge with a Semi-final against Bredagh.
The Ballyvarley midfield partnership of Jonathan Lennon and Aidan Mc keirnan battled hard with their opposite numbers, making it difficult for the strong Bredagh pair to dominate. However Bredagh won the lion share of possession and bombarded the reds defence notching up a few scores despite excellent performances from James O’Meara, MK McGrath and Paedar McGrath. Chris Lennon also displayed great confidence in goals saving the reds on several occasions. Ballyvarleys’ defence suffered a further blow in the second half with Paedar McGrath and Sinead O’Meara
both sustaining injuries.
Final score Ballyvarley 0-0 Bredagh 4-3

The Reds can take heart from their performances in the Feile especially against a very strong Bredagh, and they enjoyed the whole Feile experience. The young Ballyvarley hurlers are improving with every training session and match and now look forward to a game away to Warrenpoint on Wednesday.

Team
Chris Lennon, Liam Stewart James O’Meara, Sinead O’Meara, Paedar Mc Grath, Cairon Davis, MK Mc Grath, Jonathan Lennon (1,2), Aidan Mc Keirnan, Laura Stewart, Rory McShane(0,2), Maurice Mc Grath, Chris McEvoy(1,0), Shane Murray,
Ronan Farrell, Odhran Byrne

Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley Hc Club Notes
Senior Hurling
Ballyvarley senior hurlers were scheduled to play Liatroim this Thursday in the Betsy Gray Cup Semi-final, but the game has been postponed due to minor and senior county commitments. The game is re-scheduled for Thursday 15th May 2008. 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.

Senior Gaelic Football
The Aghaderg senior footballers had their first league game on Friday, a home game against St. Johns. It was a tight opening half with the visitors leading by 2-2 to 0-5 at the interval. The wind advantage told in the second period with St John’s running out winners on a score-line of 0-7 to 3-7.
The seniors next game is away to Aughlisnafin on Sunday at 5pm followed by a home game against Dromara on the 2nd May.

The minor footballers, amalgamated with Tullylish, play Clanna-na-banna on Wednesday 23rd April

Underage Hurling
Ballyvarley’s Under 14 hurlers play away to Warrenpoint on Wednesday 23 April at7.00 pm and on the 30th April they face Newry Shamrocks at home.

The U16 hurlers have no more games for a few weeks due to an exam break, but will continue to train every Friday night at 6.30pm. A friendly with Camlough is scheduled for Friday 25th April in Ballyvarley.

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

Underage Camogie
Both the under 12 and under 14 Aghaderg Camogie teams have commenced their leagues. The under 12s lost their opening game against a very strong Castlewellan side. The under 14s began their season in fine form with an impressive 2-2 to 0-0 win over Kilcoo.

Hurling/Camogie Coaching
The ability coaching programme for 7 to 12 year old camogs and hurlers has commenced with great attendances and enjoyment had by all. Anyone interested in learning the skills of 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.
There are also mid-week coaching sessions for hurlers and camogs. They are at the following times:
Under 12s - Monday Night 7:00 – 8:15 – Contact Pat McGrath(Hurling)/Marty Malone (Camogie)
7-10 year olds - Monday Night 6:30 – 7:30 - Contact Peter McConville (07815 142912) /Kathleen O’Meara
Underage Gaelic Football
The U14 & U16 footballers continue to train. 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 16 footballers travelled to Drumgath on Tuesday and lost on a score-line of 2-9 to 1-6. There is no game this week however training continues in Annaclone this Sunday at 12.00 noon.

The under 14 footballers have a home game against Longstone on 24th April. They then make the long trip to Attical on the 1st May.

The under 12 footballers played out an exciting draw with Annaclone last Sunday.
The under 12s now have a bye this weekend but train on Sunday from 1.30pm – 2.30pm. They 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 start their Leinster Shield campaign this Sunday. They fly over to Birmingham on Sunday to play Warwickshire in their opening game.

Bowls
Congratulations must go to Ballyvarley Bowlers who won the Ballyduggan Cup by 3 shots in a closely contested final in 2nd Dromara. Holm Park from Dromore were their final opponents who play in a league above the locals. Ballyvarley had however already beaten St Colman’s Tullylish in the semi-final. St Colmans have since gone on to clinch the Division 1 League title. Past meetings with Holm Park have seen Ballyvarley win by the odd shot and lose by the odd shot so it had all the ingredients
of a close encounter. After the first two rinks were played Ballyvarley held a 2 shot lead. The second half saw Ballyvarley ahead by 1 shot over Rinks three and four to give Ballyvarley their first piece of silverware in their 11 years of participation in Bowling competitions.

Club Merchandise
Shorts and socks in club colours will be available in Ballyvarley Hall at 12 noon to 1pm every Sunday. All juvenile and senior players should be kitted out in club colours.

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
5, 9, 15, 19
£2550
Draw this Sunday in Ballyvarley Hall at 7pm.

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