Ballybay Notes

There was no winner of last weeks Ballybay Pearse Brothers Blotto.
Number drawn were as follows: 8, 13, 24 & 28.
The following people won €20:
Pauric Kerr, Ballybay.

Maggie Caraher, Ballybay,

Nan Rudden, Modeece,

Mauris McSkean, 0872589371,

Regina Mclory, 18 Culbrennan, Ballybay,

Maura Carson, Killycard, Castleblayney,

Mrs Kate Ann Keenan, Ballybay

Jane Hand, Ballybay

Celine Laverty, Castleblayney,

Rose Finnegan, Wicklow

Next weeks jackpot is €6,800

Results: On Sunday afternoon the senior team took to Ballybay Pearse Park to face Magheracloone. Ballybay where without the services of their five county representatives and where also missing a number of men for various reasons, meaning numbers were again limited. However saying that, Ballybay still fielded a strong starting team which had plenty of championship experience. Aided with the wind in the opening period and after the early opening exchanges Magheracloone took a strong grip and almost complete control of the match, despite the best efforts of Brent and Tommy around the middle. In the twenty minutes before half time Magheracloon opened an substantial lead that more or less finished the game as a contest, the Magheracloone goal been the major score of the half as the Ballybay defence were tore apart following a free flowing move. The visitor’s dominance was evident in that Ballybay only managed their first score as the half time whistle approached. After strong words at half time, a number of positional switches and changes in personal, Ballybay stood up to Magheracloone in the second half and at least made a contest of the game. Tommy and Brent continued to lead by example, while Paddy and Eoin brought pace to the half back line, Eoin making his first appearance for Ballybay at senior level and showed a maturity beyond his years while in possession. Aaron brought an extra dimension to the attack Ballybay and Colin Malone, who was impressive throughout and a constant outlet for the defence finished the day as Ballybay highest scorer, as the home side settled into the task. But as Ballybay pushed on looking for scores the defence was left exposed and Magheracloone attacked on the counter to find the nett for a second time and kill off any hopes of a comeback. The final ten minutes played out without major attacking dangers from a Ballybay point of view but Magheracloone missed a penalty following a tangle of bodies in the small square. All in all Ballybay didn’t deserve a result based on the performance and the best team won on the day. With championship preparations starting management have a lot of work to do but motivation to improve shouldn’t be an issue for the players following perhaps the poorest team performance from a Ballybay senior outfit in recent memory. But there was a few positives from the day, Fergal McArdle return following a lengthy injury is a great boost and the performance of the minors in the second half will encourage management. Final score Ballybay 0-9 Magheracloone 2-14. Ballybay Team: Sean Gorman, Paul Stuart, Fergal Smyth, Evan Rutledge, Brent Wylie, Ciaran Gallighan, Aaron Toner, Tommy O’Neil, Cillian McAviney, James Kerr, Pauric Kerr, Brian McCabe, Shane McGuiness, Danny Gorman, Colin Malone, Patrick O’Neil, Eoin McKearney and Fergal McArdle.

Fixtures: The reserves take on Emyvale at 5pm on Saturday afternoon in Ballybay Pearse Park in the final league game of the season. With a semi-final position already secured it is an opportunity for men to stake a claim for a starting spot on the team. The St Pats U16’s team take on Monaghan Harps in Ballybay this evening at 7.30pm. The U14’s have a bye this weekend so will not be in action. Please come along and support greatly welcomed.

Minor Championship: The St Pat’s Minors are at home to Clontibret in the Quarter final of this year’s championship next Tuesday evening. Throw in is at 7.30pm in Drumhowan. Best of luck to all involved and please try to come out and support the lads.

Best of Luck: Best of luck to Paul, Drew, Christopher, Ryan & Thomas along with the rest of the county panel, management and back room staff involved with county men’s team that prepare to take on Donegal in their third consecutive Ulster final appearance. A wonderful achievement for all. With such a strong Ballybay representative involved in the Monaghan setup the club would encourage as many of its members to get their flags & bunting out in support of the lads and to wish them all the best on the day as they try to claim back the Anglo Celt cup.

Best wishes: Best wishes and a speedy recovery to Shane McGuiness who appeared badly injured during the senior outing against Magheracloone on Sunday. Everyone associated with the club wishes Shane a speedy recovery and that he’ll be back out terrorising defences in no time at all.

Summer Clean Up: A major summer clean-up is to take place at Ballybay Pearse Park within the next number of weeks. The committee would like to ask any club member who is in a position to help for a number of hours to please make themselves available as we try to brighten up the club house and the surrounding carpark. Additional info will follow over the next number of weeks but please contact any committee member if you can spare any time.

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 Pearse Brothers 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.

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.