Ballybay Notes

There was no winner of last weeks Ballybay Pearse Brothers Blotto. Number drawn were as follows: 14, 18, 22 & 30. The following people won €20:

Charlie McShean, Corrybrennan

Laura Sherry

Mick O’Reilly, Corrybrennan Ballybay

Seamus Smith, Kells, Co. Meath

Evan Larmer, Ballybay

Next weeks jackpot is €1,500

Results: On Saturday evening last the senior team recorded their first home victory of the season by the narrowest of margins against Clontibret. Played on a very heavy field, Ballybay where in front for the majority of the affair with Thomas Kerr & Thomas O’Neil dominating the middle third of the park. Ballybay started the brighter and opened the scoring with a Paul Finlay free. Clontibret settled into the game and had plenty of possession of the football but the strong defending from the Ballybay backs left it difficult for them to break through the lines. Thomas Kerr controlled the middle third and his strong running with the ball straight at the heart of the visitor’s defence caused all sort of trouble while Thomas O’Neil was winning the battle in the air. Christopher McGuiness, who looked dangerous throughout, got the second point for the team while Paul converted another two efforts before Kerr slotted a monster free, from the ground, well outside the 45 and a second point from Chris left Ballybay one up at half time. Ballybay would continue their good work in the second period with great defensive work from Brent Wylie, Mark McArdle & Michael Hannon who was making his first senior team appearance held the Clontibret attack at bay while the forwards opened a three point gap through Finlay, McGuiness and Aaron Toner. Brent and Drew where constantly breaking out with possession and setting up attacks while stopping certain scores at the other end, Brent diving at full length to block down a shot on goal. Entering into injury time with three between the teams the visitors attacked down the left before floating a high dangerous ball into the square. The ball was met by an array of fists and eventually ended in the nett drawing the side level with just minutes remaining. Clontibret had two great opportunities to secure the win but failed to convert, then with the final attack of the game, Drew broke out of defence getting the ball to Paul who slipped it to Toner who slopped it over just before the ref blow it up. The management can be happy with the performance and the two points but will know that the team will have to improve in all sectors come May when both sides will meet in the championship. Ballybay team: Sean Gorman, Evan Rutledge, Brent Wylie, Ryan Wylie, Mark McArdle, Drew Wylie, Michael Hannon, Thomas O’Neil, Thomas Kerr, Fergal McArdle, Aaron Toner, Ciaran Gallighan, Shane McGuiness, Paul Finlay, Christopher McGuiness, Eoin McKearney, Shane McQuillan and Patrick O’Neil.

Fixtures: Last night’s senior game was postponed due to the county’s involvement in the U21 All Ireland Semi Final in Tullamore on Saturday evening. The game will now take place this Wednesday the 4th of May. The U14’s rearranged fixture against Corduff takes place this evening in Corduff at 6.30pm. On Saturday the U12’s are at home to Oram, throw up at 11pm.

The senior game against Castleblayney goes ahead this Sunday afternoon in Pearse Park Ballybay, throw in at 2.30pm. On Tuesday the 19th of April the St Patrick Minor team travel to Magheracloone for the next round of the league, throw up fixed for 7pm. On Wednesday

night the reserves travel to Castleblayney for the latest round in the reserve league. On Thursday the 21st of April the St Patrick U16 team are home to Magheracloone for a 7pm throw in.

Best of luck & well wishes to Dessie Ward to represented the county U21’s last night when they take on Cork in the All Ireland Semi Final in Tullamore. Throw up is at 4.30pm. Best of luck to all involved from the Ballybay Pearse Brothers.

Golf Classic: All roads lead to Clones Golf course for the Ballybay Pearse Brother Golf Classic on May 21st. Tee times are available for the entire day costing €140 for a fourball. This is a major fund raiser for the club so all support will be greatly appreciated, while the event itself is kindly sponsored by Kepak Ballybay. For more information, please contact either Niall Duffy or Barry Lennon.

Ballybay Pearse Brothers Club membership for the 2016 season is now available. There are three options available this year.

Gold Membership – which consists of free entry into all senior & reserve home league fixtures, entry into the clubs Blotto each week, entry into the draw for tickets to this year All Ireland Final & general club membership for a fee of €240. (Payment via direct debit is available over a 12-month period)

Silver Membership – which consists of free entry into all senior & reserve home league fixtures, entry into the draw for tickets to this year All Ireland Final & general club membership for a fee of €100.

Bronze membership – which consists of free entry into the draw for tickets to this year All Ireland Final & general club membership for a fee of €30.

Current members will be approached in the hope of resigning as many as possible while continuing to build on previous numbers. So anyone who would like to become a club member please contact any committee member for additional information.

Cul Camps – The Monaghan Kelloggs Summer Cul Camps will be run throughout the month of July & the Monaghan County Board are looking for coaches and assistant coaches for each venue. Anyone that interested must be available to complete a practical assessment and attend a two day in-service training programme. If you are interested and would like to submit an application form, please contact Niall on pro.ballybaypearsebrothers.monaghan@gaa.ie

Bingo: Just a quick note to remind everyone that the club’s weekly Bingo takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm in the clubhouse. The bingo is a great opportunity for the community to come together midweek and have a good night while maybe even winning a few bob. This is a fundamental part of the club’s fund raising for day-to-day costs and we would all really appreciate if you, your friends or your family could support this if you can at all. And, don’t forget, there is transport available to the centre. Every week, our volunteers go to great efforts to keep this going so that all of the other voluntary members of the club have a good starting platform. Hope to see some new faces tomorrow night and over the coming weeks!

On-Line Blotto: The club’s blotto can now be purchased on-line. Please see the Ballybay Pearse Brothers facebook page for the link that’ll allow you to access the website for more details. Play now so that you don’t miss out on the chance to win the weekly jackpot.