*Ballela seniors travelled
to St Agnes’s on Sunday
Afternoon to play a friendly
in anticipation of the next
round of the Betsey Gray Cup.
Ballela decided to play with
the strong wind in the first
half.
Gary Mc Mullan returned in
goals and his pucking into
the forward line created several
opportunities for the attackers
but the marking was tighter
and stronger than in the previous
game.
Noel Burns and Connor Rodgers
conceded little in the first
half and the half back line
of Niall Burns, Stevie Mc
Cusker and Daniel Mc Cusker,
who contributed with 3 points,
played well in poor hurling
conditions.
Donal Mc Cann and Danny Doran
formed a new partnership in
midfield and this showed as
it took the lads a while to
get going, but they persevered
and they dominated in the
end, Danny helped himself
to 3 points with 2 of them
coming from long range.
Niall Mc Aleenan (0-1), Ryan
Haughey (0-1) and Michael
Doyle (1-0) played in the
half forward line and caused
the St Agnes’s defence
many problems, which drew
a lot of fouls and enabled
Ballela to settle again and
stay on the attack.
Dan Downey and Mark Cosgrave
completed the team and they
helped themselves to a point
apiece. Malachy Magee (Sen)
came on for the last 15 minutes
and claimed a dubious goal
at the end despite being 15
yards from the ball, but Mal
claimed it as no St Agnes’s
players wanted to!!!
This was a lesson in harder
hurling for Ballela but despite
the poor conditions Ballela
came away with a 2-point victory.
Final score – Ballela
2-10 St Agnes’s 2-08.
*Senior Hurling Training continues
on Wednesdays (7pm) at Pairc
Na Naomh. Please contact Marty
Mc Cusker for further information.
Any new players are welcome.
It is important that all players
attend these training sessions.
Would all under 16 and minor
players please attend the
senior training sessions as
the leagues are all due to
start soon.
*Camogie Training. Camogie
training continues every Sunday
morning at Pairc Na Naomh
at 9 am. New players are welcome;
please contact Bernard Mc
Cusker for more information.
*Club Committee. Meetings
continue on a weekly basis
and the club would like to
emphasise that we are still
3-4 people short on the committee
and any help would be greatly
appreciated.
*Forthcoming Events. The club
committee is currently planning
events for the year ahead.
If anyone would like to help
or any suggestions for events
please do not hesitate to
come along to the meetings
or contact any committee member.
* Club membership is now due.
All membership must be paid
to club registrar Noel Burns
ASAP. The prices for membership
are the same as last season
so there has been no increase
again.
*Club Lotto. The jackpot is
now £5000. If you wish
to contribute toward the club
lotto please contact any committee
member. A yearly subscription
can be arranged so you never
miss out on a week!
Saturday night’s jackpot
remained at £5000 and
the draw was in Doyle’s
Pub. Due to unforeseen circumstances
the draw was not made so there
will be two weeks lotto in
next weeks news.
Saturday nights draw will
be in The Anglers rest.
* Ballela GAC Golf day has
been organised for Friday
5th September at Banbridge
Golf Club. Please contact
any committee member for further
information.
*Ballela GAC has once again
been chosen to host the Summer
Cul Camp, which was very successful
last year. More information
will be available in the coming
weeks.
*If anyone wishes to avail
of Pitch side advertising
at Pairc Na Naomh, please
contact a committee member
for further information.
*Ballela are running a Night
to Dundalk Racing stadium
in June. Places are limited
so if you wish to get your
name down for a good nights
craic please contact any committee
member. There will be more
information on this event
in next week’s notes.
* Down juniors are playing
Cavan on Sunday 9th March
in Ballela at Pairc Na Naomh.
As there are 5 Ballela players
in the squad the club would
anticipate quite a large turnout
of locals at the game. So
why not come along and support
the Ballela players and your
county. Throw in is at 2pm.
