Ballybay Notes

All Ireland Launch: The Ballybay senior panel would like to thank all who attended their fund raising event in the Kilmore Hotel on Friday night last. It was a fantastic night where the celebrity panel of Declan O’Sullivan, Anthony Moyles, Michael Meehan, Stephen McGinnity& Ronan Carolan gave their expertise on their 2015 football championship. The panel would like to thank each individual immensely but a special mention to our near neighbour Stephen who stepped in for the ill Kevin Cassidy at the last minute. The panel gave a wonderful insight not only into their own footballing preparation, the opponents they met over their decorated careers and dealing with retirement. Our MC Declan Bouge was fantastic on the night and the players would like to thanks him for his commitments to the night given the existing times he and wife are currently going through. It was Declan’s thoughts and ideas that made the night the success it was. There is a special mention of thanks to the Drumhowan’s Scor group who brought a touch of culture to the night, to Kate, Ross & the staff at the Kilmore Hotel who could not have been more helpful throughout the organising of the event. To our main sponsor Gerry McElory his contribution is forever ongoing & again he didn’t let us players down. But finally the players would like to thank our supporters who again dug deep and contributed to our cause, without your contributed support the club would not be in the strong on field position it is currently in. Thanks you all.

Blotto: April has seen a lot of club member’s annual subscription to the Bally Blotto come to their end. As a result the tickets will not be entered to the weekly draw. Each member should have received notification of this and with the Blotto jackpot currently at €5,600 if members would like to be renew their subscription they can contact either Paddy or any committee member to do so.  

Results: On Wednesday night last the reserves travelled to Emyvale. Down a number of regulars and with many men making the long journey from Dublin this was a potential banana skin but the boys produced a first half display that must’ve pleased all members of the management time. The middle eight took complete control around the middle and built on this dominance up secure a buffer of scores that would ensure victory on the night. The older generation where shown the young guns how its done with Colin Malone getting the majority of the scores while Paul Stuart & Pauric Kerr chipped in with two apiece. Ballybay found the second half more competitive as Emyvale made a number of positional switches around the middle but the damage had been done in the first half. The night also seen the return of Darren Smyth & Barry McSkean in the maroon & white, a fearful sight for all opponents. Full time score: Emyvale 0-9 Ballybay 0-15. Team Brian McCabe, Conor Hand, James Allister, James Garraghan, Mark McArdle, Paul Stuart, James Kerr, Cillian McAviney, Aaron Toner, Simon Duffy, Pauric Kerr, Danny Gorman, Niall Duffy, Colin Malone, Barry Macklin, Darren Smyth & Barry McSkean.

On Sunday afternoon with conditions that you would associate with winter football the reserves took on near neighbours Latton in the O’Duffy Cup. With the wind at their backs Latton started the brighter and won the ugly ball in the early exchanges. They used this dominance to full effect scoring two goals while on top. Ballybay slowly got to grips with the conditions and two points from Danny settled the cause. In fact Danny was very effective on the 40 as he played the link man to great effect. Ballybay got the break they were looking for when Colin Malone got on the end of a long ball and toe poked the ball under the oncoming keeper. This left four between the teams at the half time whistle. Ballybay came out and upper their game with the wind at their backs and had the majority of the ball in the second period with Aaron, Brent and James Kerr driving forward with Danny the main danger up front. However with the boys pushing forward looking for scores Latton hit them with a sucker punch, their third goal which Ballybay will consider soft & effectively killed the comeback. All in all the game was a good workout against a Division 1 team and but for the slow start and missed free opportunities the outcome may have been different. Full time score Ballybay 1-8 Latton 3-8. Team Brian McCabe, Conorr Hand, Paul Stuart, James garraghan, Mark McArdle, James Allister, James Kerr, Cillian McAviney, Aaron Toner, Simon Duffy, Danny Gorman, Mantas Paninakos, Niall Duffy, Colin Malone, Barry Macklin, Pauric Kerr, Brent Wylie, Cathal Mooney & Barry McSkean.

Fixtures: The seniors were away to Traugh in the first star of the league this Sunday afternoon a 2pm. The St. Pats minor team are at home to Clontibrut on Tuesday evening last while the St Pats U16 team are at home to Inniskeen on Monday evening & away to Donaghmoyne at 7.30pm on Thursday the 21st of May. 

Best of luck: The club would like to wish all the club members sitting third level exams in the next number of weeks all the very best of luck.

Website: The club are currently working on developing a website to celebrate its colourful past & bright future while using it as an additional means of communication for PearseBrothers both living in the area and those spread out over all corners of the world. If any club members of indeed members of the public have any info on the history of the club and would like to share it could they please contact Niall on pro.ballybaypearsebrothers.monaghan@gaa.ie or call him on 0871131268.

Blood Transfusion: The Irish Blood Transfusion Service Mobile Unit will be located in

Pearse Brothers G.A.A. Centre, Castleblayney Road, Ballybay on Thursday 14th May, 2015from 4.30pm to 8.00pm. Please come along and lend your much needed support.

Bingo: Bingo will continue every Tuesday night at the later time of 9pm for the summer months in the club rooms. If there’s any member of the public, particularly elderly ladies & gentlemen, who would like to attend the night but struggle for transportation there is a free bus run within the local area to bring people to & from the club rooms. If you like to avail of this service please contact any committee member.

Sympathy Ballybay Pearse Brothers would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of John Mills Dooragh, Laragh who passed in the last week. Also to the Murnanefamily on the death of St. Gabriella in recent weeks. May they rest in peace.