BALLELA UNDER AGE
SEASON ROUND UP
Ballela Under 8, 10 and 12
players had their presentation
night in the Sheep Bridge
Inn Newry on Friday 28 September.
The players had a game of
bowls; Club Chairman Bernard
McCusker presented the awards
after all the players and
families had enjoyed a meal.
This has been a long season
with the Under 11’s
playing in an indoor tournament
in February and the Under
12’s in an outdoor tournament
in March both run by Ballyvarley.
Training in preparation for
the season ahead followed
this. The under 11’s
then took part in a Tournament
run by Sean Treacy’s
Lurgan.
During the Under 12 season
the team competed well winning
three, drawing four and losing
four. This young team are
losing no players for next
year and hopefully there never
say die spirit will continue
next year. A great example
of this was against Castlewellan
this season when nine points
down with little over five
minutes left the game finished
a draw and only for two saves
in this time by the Castlewellan
goalkeeper Ballela would have
won.
The season finished with a
mini Under 11 tournament in
Ballela with Clonduff, Camlough
and Sean Treacy’s Lurgan
and an Under 8 game against
Ballyvarley.
The Under 10’s player
Newry Shamrocks twice, Ballyvarley
and played in a tournament
run by Warrenpoint.
The Under 8’s played
Ballyvarley in Ballela with
some players having played
games for the under 10 and
12’s.
For the first time there was
awards for the Under 8 team.
Player of the year went to
Naomh McCrory. The Joint Runner
up players of the Year was
Cathal McClure and Paul McCusker.
All three have started for
the Under 12 team during the
year due to injuries and Holidays.
The Under 10 Player of the
year was Conor Branniff who
also represented the county
at the recent Community Games
in Mosney.
Runner Up player of the year
was Mark Branniff. Mark has
played in a number of different
positions this year.
The Under 12 player of the
year was Ryan McCusker. Ryan
has had an outstanding year
and this award was well deserved.
Runner up Player of the year
was Ryan Cunningham. This
has been Ryan best season
to date and he worked tirelessly
in midfield all year.
Thanks to our team sponsors
Under 12 Doral Construction,
Under 8 and 10 teams by O’Rourke
Motors, parents for transport
to games and training and
support. Also many thanks
to Martin Mc Cusker, Donal
Mc Cann and Noel Burns for
their help in training and
refereeing the games.
The Club would like to thank
Brendan Mc Clure for the last
years hard work with the under
age teams and we hope he will
continue to work with the
club for years to come.
We know Brendan has played
an important part in securing
the future of youth at Ballela
Hurling and Camogie Club.
SAINT PATRICKS WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The amalgamation of Ballela
and Ballyvarley Minor hurling
teams won the Minor championship
in Liatroim on Sunday Night.
They beat a very physical
Clonduff team by 6 points.
There will be a full match
report in next week’s
news.
The club has great hopes for
each one of these players
as they continue their hurling
education by overcoming all
they had to throughout a very
tough season.
Club Lotto is now
a massive £4400
Saturday nights draw was
not made and was instead drawn
at the Clubhouse on Monday
night after the Committee
meeting. The numbers
were: 6, 13, 14 and 20. There
was no Jackpot winner or no
£10 winners. John Doyle
won the sellers draw. The
jackpot is now £4250.
Last week’s draw was
made in the clubhouse on Tuesday
night, the numbers were: 9,
11, 12, and 15. Cathy Mc Cullagh
and Jimmy Devlin matched 3
numbers and won £10.
Noel Burns won the sellers
draw. Last weeks draw was
in the Anglers rest and the
numbers were: 3, 5, 6, and
12. There were no jackpot
or £10 winners and Margaret
Mc Evoy won the sellers draw.
Saturday nights draw was in
Mc Cuskers pub with Noel Burns
and Dermy Mc Cusker drawing
the numbers. The numbers were
1, 7, 12 and 15.
There were 3 £10 winners
who matched 3 numbers, they
were: Noel Burns, Kathleen
Mc Gregor and Cathy Mc Cullagh.
John Doyle won the sellers
draw.
Club Merchandise
New Ballela club merchandise
is available to buy from the
club. All the Garments are
very reasonably priced and
we urge all players, members
and parents to show their
colours for the club and avail
of this excellent opportunity
to purchase club merchandise.
Please contact Noel Burns
for any further information.
Night at the Races
Ballela GAC are organising
a fund raising night in The
Depot Bar, Rathfriland on
Friday 26th October. This
is a family night and we urge
all members and parishioners
to support this event. Ballela
is a self-sufficient club
and needs to raise money to
keep the club active and to
develop the facilities we
have. Anyone wishing to contribute
or sponsor a race please contact
any committee member for further
information. Sponsorship forms
are available from the club.
Indoor Hurling Tournament
The club is going to be competing
in an indoor hurling tournament
in Banbridge sports centre.
More information will be available
next week or please contact
Brendan Mc Clure.
Dinner Dance
The Clubs annual dinner dance
will be held in the anglers
rest.
Please contact any committee
member, as tickets will soon
be available and will be sold
as strictly first come first
served.
Player Trophies
The club is requesting that
all trophies won last year
are handed
back into the club ASAP in
anticipation of the Club Dinner
Dance in
the Anglers rest on Saturday
24th November.
Down juniors training
squad
The following Ballela players
have been asked to report
for Training for the County
Junior squad in Downpatrick
on Tuesday 9th October.
Gary Mc Mullan, Paddy Mc Polin,
Donal Mc Cann, Daniel Mc Cusker,
Danny Doran and Johnny Mc
Cusker.
The club would like to wish
these players all the best
for the series of training
session and hope that they
attend to avail of this excellent
opportunity to represent their
County again.
The final squad will be picked
after a series of sessions
and the team will be competing
in Division 3 of the national
league.
Underage News
The Ballela Under 8’s
and Under 12’s will
be competing in a tournament
in Clonduff on Saturday 20th
October at 11am. Please contact
Brendan for more information.
Connor Branniff and Cathal
Mc Clure represented the club
at the official opening of
the Newry pitch on Sunday.
