---

Senior Football League
Ballykinlar Vs Aghaderg

Aghaderg senior footballers travelled to Ballykinlar on Friday night keen to extend their winning sequence. The team has had a settled look about it this year but the management were keen to give all players an opportunity to claim a place. 20 players were available for this match and all got game time.

The match got off to a perfect start when, after three minutes, Stephen Comisky collected the ball in midfield and delivered an incisive pass to Kevin Anderson who coolly dispatched the ball to the net. This set the tone for the rest of the first half. Much of this dominance was down to midfielder, James McGrath, who was giving a masterclass in high catching. The team formation with Conor Lavery, Paul Rodgers and Stephen Comisky forming a diamond shape around James ensured a plentiful supply of ball. This meant that Aghaderg were constantly on the offensive and wave after wave of attacks were rained down on the Ballykinlar defence who could not cope with the movement of the Aghaderg forward line. Kevin Anderson, Barry Quinn and Rory Simpson each scored goals while Conor Lavery, James McGrath and Rory Simpson were rewarded with a point each. Ballykinlar rarely troubled the Aghaderg defence and it took until first half injury time for the home side to register their first score.

Half time: Ballykinlar 0-1 Aghaderg 4-3

Three substitutions were made at half time with Conal Sands, Ciaran Connolly and Chrisopher Conlon entering the fray. Each slotted into their respective positions effortlessly. The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with lots of Aghaderg possession. Conor Lavery opened the scoring after one minute with a well-taken point. Christopher Conlon then got on the scoresheet with a goal after good team play had moved the ball quickly to him on the edge of the square. Cathal McGrath then registered the first of his two scores calmly lobbing the advancing Ballykinlar goalkeeper into an empty net. Paul O’Neill and Keelin Doyle were introduced as Aghaderg used their full complement of players. Both made immediate impacts with Keelin Doyle in particular showing up well. As Aghaderg relaxed alittle and took their foot off the pedal Ballykinlar did get some more possession but good covering by Ciaran Connolly and excellent goalkeeping from Mark McGrath meant that Ballykinlar were only able to register four points in the whole of the second half.

Full time: Ballykinlar 0-5 Aghaderg 7-10

The next match is against Bright on Friday at Ballyvarley. This will complete the first round of league matches. The contenders for end of season honours will then probably be known and on the face of what has been seen already Aghaderg should be one of those vying for promotion. However the league season will consist of another 10 matches and much can happen in that period. Therefore it is essential that all players concentrate on the task ahead and to consolidate and build on the good foundations that have been laid to date. Training will have to be much better attended to ensure that all know what is expected of them in a match situation. Management are keen to organise the team in the best formation possible and they need all players in attendance to set up the drills and plays effectively. Training is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30pm.

U12 Camogie League
Aghaderg V Dromara

In glorious sunshine Aghaderg U 12 Camogie team played host to Dromara on Wednesday evening and despite a brave second half revival they could not overcome the Dromara side.
Right from the start Dromara dominated the midfield and half-forward lines putting the reds defence under pressure but stout defending by Danielle Stewart and Laura Fletcher kept the away side at bay. However, this pressure was to pay off and within a 5-minute spell, Dromara found the net three times.
Half Time: Aghaderg 0-0 Dromara 3-0.

Aghaderg had little chances in the first half for the forward line to shine but gradually they began to put the Dromara team under pressure with Hannah Malone beginning to dominate at midfield.
In contrast to the first half Aghaderg took over in midfield with Sarah Rafferty and Kung Williamson coming more into the game, Haley Lennon tormented the Dromara defence with some good efforts and was finally rewarded by striking the ball to the Dromara net. Right from the puck out Kitty Cranney and Grainne Moran kept the ball back in the Dromara half and with some strong tackling in midfield from Hannah Malone she supplied a long through pass for Katie Canniford to force over the Dromara Line. More sustained pressure from Sorcha Campbell Rachael Canniford and Sarah Malone could not find the net before the final whistle.
Final Score: Aghaderg 2-0, Dromara 3-0.
Team:
Tierna Lennon, Megan Gartland, Laura Fletcher, Grainne Moran, Hannah Thompson, Hannah Malone, Kung Williamson, Sarah Rafferty, Kitty Cranney, Eleana Murray, Sorcha Campbell, Haley Lennon(1-0) Katie Canniford(1-0)
Subs:
Rachael Canniford, Sarah Malone, Caoimhe Campbell.

Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley Hc Club Notes
Senior Hurling
The Ballyvarley senior hurlers were due to play Warrenpoint on Tuesday night but it was called off early on Tuesday due to a death in the ‘point club.

The Senior hurlers are at home to Portaferry on the 20th May. Ballyvarley senior Hurling training continues every Sunday (12.15pm).

Senior Gaelic Football
The Aghaderg senior footballers played Ballykinlar on Friday with the Reds winning well on a score-line of 7-10 to 0-5.

Training is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30pm.

The footballers next match is against Bright on Friday 16th May.

Underage Hurling

The U16 hurlers played a friendly against St Teresa’s on Sunday. Without a number of key players Ballyvarley hurled well against their strong Belfast counterparts. At the break their was only two points between the teams with St Teresa’s leading the Reds 2-9 to 3-0. It was a good competitive game played with a good spirit with Kieran Maguire performing well at half-back and Kelvin Magee orchestrating things in the middle of the field. Tony Hegarty provided the finishing touch upfront with a couple of well taken goals. Unfortunately the Reds just lost it at the end on a scoreline of 5-5 to 3-15.
Tony Hegarty impressed at full-forward with 2-3, while Kelvin Magee was a commanding presence in midfield. In defence Conor Strain performed well at full-back while James Kennedy showed some good skill at left half-back.
Training continues for the under 16 hurlers this Friday with all players asked to be in Ballyvarley at 6pm sharp.

Underage Camogie
The under 14 Camogs and under 12 Camogs continue to train away. The under 12 camogs were unlucky to lose by a goal against Kilcoo on Wednesday. The score was 2-0 to 3-0.

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.

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

U14 girls football home to Tullylish Sunday 18th May.

County Hurling

The South Down senior hurlers began their Leinster Shield campaign with an away game to Leitrim on Sunday. All three players from Ballyvarley started on the team, James McGrath at centre full-back, Colm O’Neill at centre half-forward and David McGovern at centre full-forward. Played in hot conditions, it took the South Down hurlers a while to get to grips with the sandy conditions at Carrick-on-Shannon. Gradually they started to dominate possession and looked dangerous when they got forward. Good ball into full-forward David McGovern saw him constantly unsettle the Leitrim rearguard. A couple of early points from John Murphy settled the South Down men and though the home side replied in kind the Down hurlers were in the ascendancy. Eoin McGuinness and Karl Maxwell went close a couple of times before a rasping shot from Daniel Doran was finished to the net by David McGovern.
Chance after chance went a begging with the Leitrim keeper in fine form diving full length to save a shot from Colm O’Neill. John O’Kane and Arty McGuinness were showing well upfront while James McGrath and the rest of the defence was dominant.
South Down were winning comfortably as the break approached, but a quick break away from the Leitrim forwards finished in a goal to leave the South Down hurlers with a precarious lead at half-time.
HALF-TIME: Leitrim 1-4 South Down 1-7

On the restart South Down pulled away from the home side with quick points from John Murphy and an excellent one from the left wing by Karl Maxwell. Daniel Doran was impressing in the middle, while James McGrath, Daniel McCusker, Gary Courtney and Alan Higgins never let the Leitrim forwards settle.
Two pointed frees from Karl Maxwell and John Murphy and points from Colm O’Neill (2) increased the visitors lead. Yet Leitrim were still contesting every single ball and got heart half way through the half when they goaled again to reduce the deficit to three points. Overall though most of Leitrim’s threat was from placed balls as the South Down defence held firm and further good work from the McGuinness brothers and Maxwell saw the visitors pull away again. A good ball into David McGovern from Artry McGuinness saw David release it to O’Neill to put it over. More points followed as South Down went on to win by five.

FULL-TIME: Leitrim 2-7 South Down 1-15
The next game for South Down is this Sunday in Ballela against Louth.
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.

GAA Cul Camp (The Official Down GAA Summer Camp)
This year the club will host one of the summer camps during the week 7th – 11th July and all camogs, footballers and hurlers between the ages of 5 and 14 are invited. The cost is £30.00 per child unfortunately there is no reduction for 2nd, 3rd child etc.
Each day coaching lasts from 10.00 – 2.30 with a 30 minute break for lunch @ 12.00. Each child will also receive a Cul Camp Kit i.e. jersey, shorts, socks and bag.
Qualified coaches from County Down will be present to teach the skills of the games.
As there are limited places you are advised to book early, application forms are available from team managers and the club Co-ordinator Aidan Hegarty.

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.

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