Senior Hurling League
Castlewellan Vs Ballyvarley
In the past Castlewellan has been
an unlucky ground for Ballyvarley’s
senior hurlers, a place where they
could not buy a win. In recent years
this has changed. Last week the
Reds travelled to Castlewellan without
six key players, yet despite this
adversity and playing against a
strong home side they hurled like
demons to take all the points.
The Reds started well with their
defence on top yet despite some
good interplay in the forward line
the finishing just eluded the Ballyvarley
forwards. Instead it was the green
shirted home side that went into
a three point lead, before Colm
O’Neill laid off a pass to
brother Paul to notch over a great
point from wide on the right. Paul
notched over another soon after
as he dominated around the middle,
before David McGovern got just reward
for his good work upfront to lift
the sliothar, turn and hit it from
off his shoulder over the bar. A
superb score. Paul Jennings and
Paul O’Neill scored points
a piece for opposing teams before
the score of the match.
A high ball into the Castlewellan
box was met by the hurl of Jamie
Murray, with his overhead doubling
on the ball sending the sliothar
to the net. A good solo run from
Paul O’Neill a few minutes
later, setup Conor Grew to point
from an awkward angle to leave the
Reds four points ahead despite playing
against a strong wind. Ballyvarley
were well on top with Eunan McConville
winning everything on the left side
of defence, with the whole defensive
unit working very well collectively.
A head injury to Paul O’Neill
in the middle saw the Reds lose
a bit of momentum, which was worsened
by the loss of a poor goal in the
minutes that followed. Castlewellan
sensed an opportunity to strike
a killer blow in this tie but credit
to the Ballyvarley men they fought
well reducing the home side to just
three more points before the half-time
break.
HALF-TIME: Castlewellan 1-8 Ballyvarley
1-5
The further withdrawal of Pat
McGrath at the break due to an ankle
injury was a blow to Ballyvarley,
but they knew they had played well
the first period even though they
were a goal behind. They now had
the wind on their side.
David McGovern struck first for
the visitors when he sent a beautifully
struck 70 yard free over. The home
side retaliated with two of their
own, before Eunan McConville signalled
the Reds desire to get back into
the game with a surge forward out
of defence and an excellent point
from distance on the left wing.
David McGovern really shone in
this period enjoying a good battle
with McCabe, the home sides half
back. McGovern brought the forwards
into it as the Reds looked dangerous
every time they went forward. David
was composed from place balls sending
over another 70 followed by a 45
metre free.
The reshuffle at the break had
seen Niall Savage moved to midfield
were he has playing well and he
signified this with a lovely solo
and flick over under pressure.
It was not going all the visitor’s
way as Castlewellan were spurred
on from the middle by Eamonn Hardy
who made several runs from deep
to point over. In the face of this
the Ballyvarley defence was resolute.
Space was at a premium with no time
to dwell on the ball. Sean Kennedy
was impressive on the right side
of the defence, sweeping up lose
balls and never wasting any possession.
Niall Higgins dominated at full-back,
strong and assured in the tackle
and Thomas Lennon and John O’Neill
covered good ground, never waiting
for the ball but attacking it, out
infront for every one.
This miserly defence only allowed
Castlewellan one more point to leave
Ballyvarley a goal behind. McGovern
notched the difference down to a
solitary point with an exhibition
in score taking, pointing one from
his left and then one from the right.
With the game enetering the closing
stages Ballyvarley dominated yet
an anxiousness infront of gaol saw
them miss scoreable chances. Eventually
the vital score came, when a long
ball from David McGovern broke to
Conor Grew to flick past the keeper
to put the Reds two points ahead.
More chances fell to the visitors,
yet despite not taking them they
never looked like letting Castlewellan
back into it in the final stages.
FULL-TIME: Castlewellan 1-13 Ballyvarley
2-12
This was an excellent team performance.
The whole team raised their game
and battled even harder when two
players had to withdraw injured
by the break. All 17 players were
used and all made a vital contribution
to this win. Paul O’Neill
was excellent in the first half,
Colin O’Neill and Jamie Murray
played well while David McGovern
set the standard upfront with some
excellent scores from play and deadly
accuracy from frees. Ciaran Connolly
and Niall Savage gave inspirational
performances around the middle,
while Eunan McConville, Niall Higgins
and Thomas Lennon were rocks at
the back. Hopefully the seniors
can take this form into the games
ahead. Next match for the senior
hurlers is an away tie against Ballycran
on Tuesday 27 th May.
Ballyvarley Team
Cathal O’Neill, Thomas Lennon,
Niall Higgins, Pat McGrath, Eunan
McConville (0-1), Colm O’Neill,
Sean Kennedy, Paul O’Neill
(0-3), Ciaran Connolly, Niall Savage
(0-1), David McGovern (0-6), Colin
O’Neill, Jamie Murray (1-0),
Conor Grew (1-1), Stewart Cartmill.
Subs: John O’Neill, Sean O’Neill.
Under 14 Football League
Annaderg Vs Drumgath
Annaderg (Annaclone/Aghaderg) u-14
footballers got off to an excellent
start to the league on Thursday
evening last when they were convincing
winners over their hosts Drumgath.
Their dominance was largely due
to the Annaderg’s formidable
midfield pairing of Shane Donnelly
and Michael Fitzpatrick. Both were
continually supported by an impressive
overlapping half back line of David
Potts, Jonathan Lennon & Mark
McIlroy.
Enjoying a good supply of ball
the half forward line of McAvoy,
Doyle & in particular Niall
Fegan produced some very skillfull
football resulting in well taken
scores. Drumgath reacted well and
mounted attacks on the Reds defence
which produced some good scores.
However, Annaderg with the wind
in their backs began to deploy the
long ball directly to the full forward
line of Neil Rooney and Ciaran Greenan
which resulted in a goal scoring
spree before half time. On the resumption
Drumgath showed real metal and mounted
a spirited comeback. The reds full
back line encouraged by great saves
from keeper Ryan Strain eventually
came to terms with these attacks.
Rory and Noel McNeill finished the
game with a commanding
performance. Subs Rory Mc Shane,
Ciaran Davis and Leo Doyle played
very well when introduced. Final
Score: Annaderg 6-12,Drumgath 3-8.
Under 14 Gaelic Football League
Annaderg VS Newry Mitchels
Annaderg (Annaclone/Aghaderg) under
14 footballers suffered their first
narrow defeat of the season to Newry
Mitchels on Thursday past. However,
one can only admire the nature of
their courageous comeback after
conceding 5 early first half goals
to a very classy Newry side.
Slowly but surely, the Annaderg
boys efforts began to show rewards
and only due to some excellent goal
stopping by the Newry Keeper they
could have won the match.
Special mention must be given to
Both Rory and Noel McNeil and Leo
Doyle in defence who give good protection
the Ciaran Davis who produced some
good saves.. Whilst David Potts
did an excellent job in the difficult
task in curtailing Mitchels sharpe
shooters and yet was still joining
in wave after wave of Annaderg attacks.
Mark Mc Elory was sound throughout
well assisted by Johhy Lennon and
both give strong support to a very
industrious Michael Fitzpatrick
and Shane Donnelly at midfield.
Chris Mc Avoy and Nial Fegan worked
hard and produced some great scores
between them especially in the second
half. The explosive energy and direct
attacking skills of Ciaran Greenan
were once again on show and Mitchels
had great difficulty in coping with
the threat he caused. Still an under
12 this footballer progress is one
to watch with interest. Both Dominic
and Noel Doyle played well over
the full hour whilst Rory McShane
put in a good effort in defence.
So overall an encouraging performance.
We all look forward to the next
outing with Glassdrumman on Thursday.
Aghaderg GFC and Ballyvarley Hc
Club Notes
Senior Hurling
The Ballyvarley senior hurlers
travelled to play Castlewellan last
week with the Reds winning on a
score-line of 2-12 to 1-13. It was
an excellent team display.
The Senior hurlers play away to
Ballycran on Tuesday 27 th May.
Throw in at 7.30pm .
Ballyvarley senior Hurling training
continues every Sunday ( 12.15pm).
Senior Gaelic Football
The Aghaderg senior footballers
played at home toBright on Friday
night and won. The score-line was
2-8 to 1-6 in favour of the home
team. It was a
convincing win over which keeps
the Reds promotion ambitions right
on
track. Scorers: Rory Simpson 1-2,
James Mc Grath 1-0, Kevin Anderson
0-2, Stephen Comiskey 0-2, Aaron
mc Avoy 0-1, Stephen Fitzsimmons
0-1.
The footballers next match is against
St Johns on Friday 23rd May. Throw
in at 7.30pm . Training is on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 7.30pm.
The minor footballers (Aghaderg/Tullylish)
play on Wednesday in Tullylish against
Drumgath. Throw in at 7.30pm .
Underage Hurling
The under 10 and 12 hurlers had
two very competitive games against
Ballela, with the Reds just losing
out.
The under 12s play Warrenpoint
at home on Saturday 31 st May.
Underage Camogie
The under 14 Camogs and under 12
Camogs continue to train away.
The under 14 camogs play Bryansford
at home on Tuesday 17 th June.
The under 12 camogs play at home
to Kilcoo on Saturday 31 st May.
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 under 14 footballers known
as Annaderg (Annaclone/Aghaderg)
suffered their first defeat of the
season losing narrowly to Newry
Mitchels last week. Their next game
is on Thursday 22/5/08 with a Championship
game at home to Ballyholland.
The record so far this season for
the Annaderg (Aghaderg/Annaclone)
U-16 team is 1 win, a draw and two
defeats. The opening league game
saw the boys hold out for a 1 point
win against neighbours Clann-na-Banna
then followed defeats away to Drumgath
and Ballymartin however the best
performance was at Attical when
a dubious injury time point earned
the Mourne side a draw on a score
line of Annaderg 5 -11 Attical 4
– 14. The under 16s next match
is at home to An Riocht on Tuesday
26 th May.
The under 12s are away to Drumgath
this Sunday.
Ladies Football
Football for girls aged 10 –
14 years has commenced and anyone
looking details of it should contact
Ciara Devlin 07511477877.
The under 14s have now played Castlewellan
and Tullylish in their opening two
matches. While the girls lost both
matches there were battling performances
from our girls in this their debut
season.
U14 girls football away to Loughinisland
on Sunday 1 st June.
County Hurling
The South Down senior hurlers played
Louth in Ballela on Sunday. It was
a tight contest with only two points
in it for most of the game, but
Louth pulled away at the end to
win by 6 points. In two weeks time
South Down travel to play Longford.
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
7 th – 11 th 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 2 nd, 3 rd 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 15 th
June
Sports Day on the 6 th July
Cul Camp from 7 th-11 th July
Annual BBQ on the 2nd August 2008.
New Club Website
Our New Club website is under construction
and should be live within the next
couple of weeks.
Lotto
Jackpot £2700
11 Apr Winning Numbers:
Match 3 Winner(s)
Dearbhail O'Neill, Alice Lennon,
Milo Murray
Jackpot £2750
18 Apr Winning Numbers:
8, 10, 19, 21
No winners.
Next weeks Jackpot £2800.
For further information on any
of the above notices contact club
Secretary Aidan Hegarty 07813713707.
