Ballycastle Gaels girls win 2nd North Cork title

Following on from the recent U12 C3 North Cork win, the Ballycastle Gaels U16 girls took on Castlemagner in the U16 C3 North Cork final on Sunday, September 19 in Ballyhooly.

After a spring of Zoom calls and couch to 5km, the U16 panel have had a lengthy league campaign played out over the summer months. Commencing training in Ballyhooly at the end of April, the girls followed as soon as restrictions permitted with a challenge match v Kilavullen on Thursday, June 10.

Several league matches followed against opposition drawn from Abhainn Dalla, Mitchelstown, Castlemagner, Dromtarriffe, Glanworth, Killavullen and Knocknagree. While this proved to be a tough league campaign, this panel’s commitment to training never wavered and the experience gained in each match proved invaluable as the league proceeded, with the league concluding with an excellent win over Knocknagree in Ballyhooly.

The U15 girls enjoyed a great day of matches at the North Cork Féile which all added to the groups match experience in preparation for the final.

On a sunny Sunday evening, the Ballycastle team played well throughout and were leading by 3 points at half-time. The 2nd half saw the home team increase their lead and eventually win on a scoreline of 2-11 to 2-2.

Niamh Twomey, the Ballycastle team captain accepted the trophy on behalf of her team-mates thanking them for their commitment to training and matches, the parents for their support and the coaching team for their dedication to training.

The U16 girls and full U14/16 training panel enjoyed some postmatch refreshments at the pitch in Ballyhooly, followed by some general noisier celebrations around Ballyhooly and Castletownroche as is customary.

Thank you to all the people who contributed to supporting the girls preparation for this North Cork final, including coaches, the pitch committee, scoreboard operator, the postmatch refreshments and the flags and banners which added greatly to the occasion. Thank you to everyone who supported the U16 girls in the final and throughout the year.

The U14s will follow with their U14 D North Cork final away to Mitchelstown which is due to be fixed for the coming weekend. The U14s will also join the U12s in representing North Cork in the County Championship coming up in early October. Best of luck U14s.

U6 GIRLS

The girls played 2 great games against Kildorrery last Wednesday evening. Their hard work at training sessions is really starting to show. Well done girls, great playing.

U8 GIRLS

The U8 girls played 2 great games against Kildorrery last Wednesday evening. They displayed great teamwork, soloing and hand passing. They showed great determination and played brilliantly up to the last whistle. They should be super proud of themselves because we all are. The girls tog off against Killavullen on Saturday morning at 11.30am in Killavullen. Best of luck.

U10 GIRLS

This weekend the girls travel to Killavullen on Saturday at 11.30. The girls are continuing to train hard and are continuing to improve their skills every week.

U12 GIRLS

The girls took on Ballinora in the first round of the county championship. The game was in the balance all the way as far as the final quarter, when Ballinora took the lead to eventually win out win but our players kept fighting till the final whistle. Well done everybody.

U14 GIRLS

Our U14s played their final league match away versus Killavullen on Wednesday, September 8. On a dark wet night, this played out to be a very evenly matched contest.

Ballycastle scored more goals while Killavullen picked up a range of well taken points. Ballycastle ran out narrow winners in the end and will progress to a North Cork final at this grade.

Well done to all the girls for your commitment and dedication through the year and the best of luck in the final stages.

Ballycastle U14 team v Killavullen: Aoibheann Hess, Katie O’Connell, Eileen

Sheehan, Kate O’Riordan, Caoimhe O’Shaughnessy, Danielle Sheehan, Ellie Whelan, Louise Sugrue, Joanne Cogan, Aisling Kennedy, Leah Godwin, Kate Sheahan, Sophie McCarthy, Anna Dineen, Ciara Sheahan, Aoibhe Holland, Eabha O’Leary, Daire Power.

U17 BOYS

The U17 panel had a hectic weekend, with games in both codes. They travelled to Shanballymore to play St Dominics in hurling on Saturday.

In a fine game of hurling, St Dominics proved the stronger, winning on a scoreline of 2-20 to 1-12. They followed this with football, where they travelled to play Kildorrery in their local pitch on Monday night. This was a tight affair, with both teams having periods of dominance. In the end, Kildorrery edged it on a scoreline of 5-08 to 4-09.

Well done to the players, who gave their all in both encounters and with a bit of luck, could have had at least one win. They had been due to play Brian Dillons this weekend but the opposition are unable to field, so Ballycastle have been given a walkover.

REBEL ÓG FIXTURES

Just the one fixture at this point in time as the season winds down. Sunday, September 26 U12 Football League Plate final Ballycastle Gaels v Kildorrery - venue and time TBC.

CONDOLENCES

The U12 game had been due to take place last weekend but was re-fixed due to the death of Mick Magner, Castletownroche. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his family on his sad passing. May he rest in peace.