Ballybay Notes

There was no winner of last weeks Ballybay Pearse Brothers Blotto.
Number drawn were as follows: 1, 7, 11 & 25.
The following people won €20:
Martin McCabe.

John Connolly, Corkeeran,

Ronan McDonnell, Ballybay,

Stephen Rutledge, Ballybay,

Jane Hand, Corfad, Ballybay,

Mrs Eileen Hanawin, St. Patrick St,

Kevin Mullen, Castleblayney,

Mae McDermott, Rockcorry,

Gabriel Kerr, Ballybay,

Ann Sullivan, Latton,

Niall Hughes, Emyvale.

Next weeks jackpot is €7,000

Results: On a miserable cold wet winters Sunday morning the reserves travelled to Castleblayney for the Division 1B league semi-final. This was the first time all year that management had a full complement to pick from with a number of places up for grabs. Ballybay played against the wind in the first half and used the experience of Colin Malone, Fergal Smyth and Evan Rutledge to pack the defence, reducing the amount of space for the hosts. Aided with the wind the Castleblayney started brightly but Ballybay got to grips with the game around the middle and were able to break out of defence with strong support running from Brian McCabe, Cillian McAviney, Evan and Arron Toner throughout. Pauric Kerr was providing a great link from defence to attack on the 40, while Paddy O’Neil’s pace and direct running was causing the Blayney backs all sorts of problems. The nature of both men’s play resulted in frees that Danny Gorman converted, important scores considering Ballybay where against the breeze. Blayney pressed forward in the search of scores but the defence stood strong with Conor Hand, Evan and Paul Stuart disposing their men and breaking up attacks. The one time they did break through the defensive lines Brain “Keeper” McCabe was on hand to pull off a great save and nullify their attack. At the other end Ballybay’s major score came near the end of the half when Paddy’s cross field ball was fisted to the nett. This left two between the sides at half time with Ballybay in the driving seat much to the satisfaction of the management team. With the wind at their backs the boys pushed hard to secure the victory in the second half. Arron Toner ran the game from the middle of the field showing his full array of skills from high fetching to strong running and accurate shooting throughout the second half in a roy of the rovers like display. Pauric & Cillian continued their fine displays playing the link between the defence and attack, while Colin and Paddy were constant dangers inside. Colin scored some wonderful points to keep the score board ticking over before Paul Stuart and Brian McCabe came up from defence to slot the ball over. Blayney to their credit never gave up and in the final five minutes hit the post with a shot and forced Fergal Smyth into a stop on the line, good job this man was once a keeper, which would have left the game a much tighter affair. But Ballybay remained strong, weathered the storm and deserved the victory on the day. The boys now take on Monaghan Harps in the final with a date to be confirmed. Final score Castleblayney 0-8 Ballybay 1-11. Ballybay team: Brian McCabe, Conor Hand, Evan Rutledge, Paul Stuart, James Kerr, Fergal Smyth, Brian McCabe, Cillian McAviney, Arron Toner, Eoin McKearney, Pauric Kerr, Danny Gorman, Niall Duffy, Colin Malone, Patrick O’Neil, Cormac Duffy and James Garraghan.

On Tuesday evening last the St Patricks minor team overcome a strong Clontibret team to book their spot in the semi-final of the competition. Having been six points down twice within the first half period the lads showed great heart and determination to come back and secure victory. They will now play the winners of Sean McDermotts and Donaghmoyne, on Tuesday the 11^th of August, who drew last week and must now replay the fixture.

Fixtures: The seniors will take on Traugh in a rearranged star game on Friday the 7^th of August in Ballybay Pearse Park. Additional info to follow. The reserves take on Monaghan Harps in the Division 1B league final, a date for this fixture has to be confirmed at the time of submitting the notes. On Tuesday the 28^th July the St Pats minor team take on Traugh in Drumhowan at 7.30pm. The St Patricks minor team are at home in the semi-final of the championship on Tuesday the 11^th of August. Throw in at Drumhowan @ 7.30pm, with opponents to be conformed this week. The St Pats U16’s team take on Donaghmoyne in Ballybay on Thursday the 30^th of July at 7.30pm and are then away to Inniskeen on Thursday the 6^th August at 7.30pm. The U14’s take on Killanny this Saturday afternoon at 12pm in Ballybay. Please come along and support the boys as it will be greatly welcomed.

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.

Committee Meeting: The next committee meeting will take place on Friday night the 31^st of July in the club rooms after training at 9.30pm.