Ballymore Notes

Ballymore Community Games: Gold for Siobhan silver for Kelly, Siobhan Ryan, representing Ballymore, won a gold medal on Sunday in Athlone at the National Community Games Final 2009.In the Girls U-14 Backstroke, Siobhan won her heat and then the semi-final, before going on to take the gold in the final. Having won bronze in 2007 and silver in 2008, Siobhan has now completed the set!Kelly Ennis, on her first time in the National Community Games Final 2009, swimming in Girls U/8 Freestyle won her heat and her semi-final and was pipped at the post to secure silver in the final. Oisin Ryan also in the National Community Games final swimming the Boys U/10 Backstroke. He reached the semi- final and was unlucky not to make the final.Jor-El McLoughlin competed in the Gymnastics National Community Games Final in Boys U/10.  Jor-El performed extremely well and was unlucky not to be in the medals.Well done to Siobhan, Kelly, Oisin and Jor-El - you are all a credit to your parents and to Ballymore.  We look forward to seeing you in the Olympics in the future.CongratulationsOur sincerest congratulations to Louie and Olivia Meares who welcomed the birth of their first child at 10pm on Saturday night. Little Katie weighed in at 6lb 12oz and is beautiful. Congratulations to all of you from family, friends and all at Ballymore GAA.Ballymore Community CentreBingo continues during the summer months.  Every Monday night starting at 8.30pm.The Community Centre is available for HIRE - parties, summer camp, meeting, handball, squash, and badminton at reasonable rates. Contact Esther Cuffe 087 2523662 for further details.Niall MellonThere are 3 representatives from the village taking part in this year's Niall Mellon project. David Rooney, Ollie Dooner and Bernard Maxwell please try to support them in their fundraising for this very worthwhile work.Millmore GaelsCongratulations to the players and selectors from the Under 6 and Under 8 teams who took part in a blitz superbly organised by Moate All Whites last Sunday morning. Both teams did extremely well and worked hard for their results. Well done to all of you.Training for all under 8 and under 10 players at 7pm in Milltown.Under 10 blitz this coming Sunday 23rd August in Rosemount at 10amFr Dalton's hurlingChampionshipThe next round of the championship takes place this coming Friday at 7pm in Shandonagh when the seniors take on Cullion in a must win match. A good result here could secure a semi final place for the lads so your support would be much appreciated.Under ageCongratulations to all the players and the selectors of the Under 8 team who played Castletown in a challenge match last Saturday afternoon in the Park. After a slow start the team got into their stride and came out on top in a good competitive match. Thank you to Castletown for making the short trip over to Ballymore and best wishes for the future.Under 8 and under 12 training as normal in the park this Saturday afternoon at 3pm all welcome.Under 10 challenge match against Southern Gaels at 4pm this coming Saturday 22nd August straight after training.Don't forget the club has a large number of Mycro Helmets for sale at only €40 a saving of €25 on shop prices please speak to Kevin or Denis for further details.Ballymore GAAThe final round of this year's Intermediate championship pitched Ballymore up against local rivals Rosemount in a winner takes it all battle.It was a simple as this: the losers would more than likely be in the relegation playoff, depending on other results, whilst the winners would keep their Intermediate status for another season.Going in to the game it would be fair to say that Rosemount were the slight favourites having just beaten Shandonagh in the last round. So all roads lead to Moate on Sunday last where a good size crowd tried to get behind their teams and where it was hoped the match would live up to the billing.From the first whistle you could feel the tension in the crowd but this didn't appear to be the same on the pitch for Ballymore who took the game to Rosemount and looked a far better organised team.As you would expect there was no holding back as both teams fought hard for the upper hand.It was left to Brian Finnerty to score the first point of the match and this seemed to settle the players who responded well and moved the score board on again with points from Ching and Paddy Martin. Rosemount where never going to be a push over and rattled up points of their own due in the main from a good display in midfield by John Keane which meant that Ballymore won very little breaking ball.At the end of the half Ballymore had a slender lead 0-6 to 0-4 and as the players left the field both sets of supporters looked uneasy and nervous. The second half continued in much the same way as Rosemount came out the stronger at the start. A superb point by John Gilligan settled Ballymore once again and in truth gave them the belief to push on which they did in some style.The team was playing well and points from Alan Slevin, Ching and a great score from Paddy Martin put the game beyond Rosemount who to their credit gave 100% to the final whistle. With a final score line of 0-11 to 0-8 Ballymore are safe and can look forward to Intermediate football next season and in a final twist Rosemount are also safe as results elsewhere went in their favour.