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New Sponsorship For Hurling and Camogie Coaching
(Tommy Leckey has sent in a number of photographs to accompany the article)

The promotion of hurling and camogie in Ballyvarley has received a timely boost with the re-introduction of the Skills Ability Coaching Programme on Saturday mornings and the financial backing of major sponsorship from local engineering firm, E.F.Engineering.
Every Saturday morning a team of twelve qualified coaches guides young boys and girls, between the ages of seven and thirteen, through a set programme of hurling and camogie skills with the aim of providing them with all the skills they need to be a successful senior player of the future. The clubs commitment to planning for the future is evident when from 11am. on Saturday morning until 12-30pm the two fields in Ballyvarley are full of prospective young players and their coaches as they strive for excellence in the six stages of the coaching programme.
The promotion of hurling and camogie is not easy, with the cost of the equipment being the major deterrent and that is why the generous sponsorship of Eugene Fullerton and E.F. Engineering is so vital to the successful implementation of the programme. The generous sponsorship allows the club to promote the game by offering hurling sticks to young players at much reduced rates, enabling them to have their own hurl so that they can practise their skills at home.
Eugene is no stranger to Ballyvarley hurling. As a player he wore the red and white jersey with pride and throughout the 90’s he sponsored various juvenile hurling teams and presentation functions. His two sons, Gerard and John, were members of those successful juvenile teams. In offering his sponsorship Eugene insisted that he wanted to help in the promotion of the game. “I have always admired, and even envied, the work that the club’s coaches do with the youth of the area. I have watched my own children benefit from the scheme and in some small way I hope that I can contribute to encouraging that work to continue in the future.”
The coaching scheme was originally introduced back in 1988 but it has not been in operation now for a number of years. It has a proven track record producing Ballyvarley’s successful juvenile teams of the 1990’s which amassed an impressive tally of 25 sets of medals, winning titles at U-12, U-14, U-16 and Minor level and a number of honours at Senior level, culminating in the 2006 Junior Championship success. Aghaderg Camogie can also point to the success of the programme in kick-starting the most successful period in the clubs history as they rose through four divisions to take their place for the first time in the Down Senior League. The commitment of the coaches and the young players is vital if we are ever to witness that amazing level of success again.
All girls and boys in the seven to twelve age bracket, in the wider Banbridge area, who are interested in acquiring hurling and camogie skills are welcome to attend as the coaching takes place every Saturday morning from 11am in Ballyvarley.

U-14 CAMOGIE LEAGUE
Aghaderg V Attical
Aghaderg’s U-14 Camogs hosted Attical last Tuesday in what was a very tightly contested battle. The Attical girls were probably the more physical side and were very strong with their groundstroke game. Aghaderg however had just that bit extra to their game with Sinead O’Meara, Mary Kate Mc Grath and Laura Stewart providing the skills to get the ball into their hands and get it up the field at a much quicker rate than their opponents.
The game was quite intense with lots of hard tackling on both sides and it wasn’t until the twentieth minute before a score was registered. It was Mary Kate Mc Grath who got the ball in the middle of the field and launched a long ball straight between the posts for a well-taken point. Two minutes later a poorly struck puck out by Attical made its way to Mary Kate and she duly dispatched a low drive straight to the corner of the net. This ended the action for the half.

Half Time: Aghaderg 1-1 Attical 0-0.

Aghaderg made a few changes at half time and brought Aine Mc Grath, Megan Gartland and Kitty Cranney into the fray. Attical put the locals under sustained attack for about ten minutes but the Aghaderg rearguard of Rebecca, Sinead, Aideen, Ciara and Aoibhin defended as though their lives depended on it. Eventually the reds broke up field and it was Laura Stewart who was putting in the hard yards to keep the pressure on the Attical defence. Despite all the possession the locals enjoyed they could not find another score and it was Attical who looked the more likely to make the breakthrough. Laura Stewart repeatedly fought hard to win the ball and clear it long up the field. Kung Williamson was reintroduced after coming off with an injury and this seemed to settle the girls as the game entered its final phase. The game ended with no further scores but plenty of near misses, which made it a very exciting final ten minutes for the supporters.

Final Score: Aghaderg 1-1, Attical 0-0.

Once again the girls fought hard to the end and the reward for their efforts was another victory. Laura Stewart was best for the locals in a good team performance.
TEAM: Rebecca Fletcher, Sinead O’ Meara, Aideen Colgan, Ciara Lennon, Aoibhin Mc Kay, Mary Kate Mc Grath (1-1), Laura Stewart, Kung Williamson, Haley Lennon, Danielle Stewart, Grainne Moran, Janine Mc Grath.
SUBS: Megan Gartland, Aine Mc Grath, Kitty Cranney, Laura Fletcher.

U-12 CAMOGIE LEAGUE
Clonduff II’s V Aghaderg
Aghaderg U-12’s travelled to Clonduff for their second league game last Saturday. The team were short a number of regular players due to other commitments so they just had the bare minimum. This however meant that a number of the much younger girls got to play. The match was played at a very sharp pace with plenty of goalmouth action at both ends of the pitch. Tierna Lennon in goals assisted by Laura Fletcher and Katie Canniford made some great last ditch saves and were able to clear the ball from the danger area. Hannah Malone was pulling the strings in the midfield area with some good long drives into the opposition square. As the reds pushed forward, they put the pressure on the Clonduff backline but just could not break through a resolute home defence. The game ebbed and flowed but it wasn’t until two minutes before the break that the first flag was raised for either team.
Kitty Cranney won the ball deep in her own defence and dispatched a long clearance up field to Grainne Moran who in turn placed Hannah Malone to let fly with a pile driver, which hit the back of the net like a rocket. The young reds celebrated as if they had won the All-Ireland.

Half Time: Clonduff 0-0 Aghaderg 1-0.

The second half opened with the Reds on the attack once more and the two youngest players on the pitch Caoimhe Campbell and Sarah Malone were putting the Clonduff defence under a bit of pressure. Haley Lennon was the catalyst for most of Aghaderg’s forays into the oppositions final third. Sorcha Campbell too came close to hitting the onion bag but good goalkeeping kept her out. For all that pressure however, the Clonduff girls stood firm and did not concede another score.
Clonduff now had their period of dominance and camped out in Aghadergs area with Hannah Thompson now getting involved in the last line of defence. The young reds held out for a while but eventually Clonduff made the breakthrough and found the back of the net to level the score. Aghaderg just could not get the ball out of their own 30m line for the remaining five minutes and Clonduff hit the net twice more to seal the victory.

Final Score: Clonduff 3-0, Aghaderg 1-0.

Best for the locals were Hannah Malone, Haley Lennon, Kitty Cranney and Grainne Moran.
This was a great team performance however with the younger members on the team doing their fair share of the work.
TEAM: Tierna Lennon, Laura Fletcher, Hannah Thompson; Katie Canniford, Kitty Cranney, Sarah Rafferty, Hannah Malone, Grainne Moran, Haley Lennon, Caoimhe Campbell, Sarah Malone, Sorcha Campbell.

Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley Hc Club Notes
Senior Hurling
Ballyvarley senior Hurling training continues every Sunday (12.15pm). The Senior hurlers have a home game against Warrenpoint in the league on Tuesday 6h May. Game starts at 7pm so all players are asked to meet at the field at 6.30pm.

Senior Gaelic Football
The Aghaderg senior footballers played Aughlisnafin on Sunday in their second league game. Aghaderg had a good 19 point win on a score-line of 1-24 to 0-9.
The seniors next game is a home game against Dromara on the 2nd May.

Underage Hurling
Ballyvarley’s Under 14 hurlers play at home this Wednesday (30th April) when they face Newry Shamrocks at home.

The U16 hurlers have no more games for a few weeks due to an exam break

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

Underage Camogie
The under 14 Camogs have now got two wins from their opening two league games. The camogs beat Attical in a tough game at home 1-1 to 0-0.
The under 12 Camogs went close against Clonduff 2nds leading at half-time by a goal, but the Clonduff girls upped it in the second period to win 3-0 to 1-0.

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 14 footballers make the long trip to Attical on the 1st May.

The under 12 footballers have 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.

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. Application forms will be available within the next two weeks.

Club Function Schedule
Night at the Races on the 30th May.
Sports Day on the 6th July
Cul Camp from 7th-11th July
Annual BBQ on the 2nd August 2008.

Lotto
2, 6, 10, 28.
The JACKPOT was £2600.
No winners.
Next weeks Jackpot is £2650
Draw this Sunday in Ballyvarley Hall at 7pm.

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