2005 Senior Ladies League - Division 1

BALLYKELLY 2-12 SARSFIELDS 2-5

A BARNSTORMING first half performance assured Ballykelly victory in this entertaining game. An under-strength Sarsfields showed excellent character to make a better fist of the second half but some brilliant blocks by Ger Stafford and Sharon Melia, and solid goalkeeping by Mags McCormack ensured that they could never get closer than six points to the winners.

It was the midfielders and attack who played some sublime football in the opening period, despite the efforts of Orleen O’Brien and Pauline O’Callaghan.

The winners led 2-9 to 0-3 at the break although Sarsfields were the first to get off the mark with an Aoife Courtney point. Gemma Bannon, Róisín O’Connell and the rampaging Anne-Marie Fitzgerald raised white flags for the maroons.

O’Callaghan ended the Sarsfields drought with a point but Gemma Hurley finished well for a goal, after winning the ball well from Sinéad Melia’s delivery. Bannon, Amy Lawler (two) and the commanding Sharon Melia made it 1-7 to 0-2. Laura Lynch offered the Sash a brief respite with an excellent point but an O’Connell goal after good work by Lawler and Mary Wade, and points from Wade and Lawler put 12 points between them, although Jessica Whelehan was very unlucky to hit the butt of the upright for Sarsfields.

The Newbridge girls were fired up after the interval, with Maeve-Ann Loftus and Laura Burke showing well. Sinéad Melia and Lawler actually increased Ballykelly’s advantage to 14 points but a marvellously curled point by Laura Burke proved the signal for a comeback.

Loftus capitalised on a defensive error to find the net as the winners seemed to sit back on their laurels. Loftus had another stinging effort blocked by Stafford as Sarsfields fought tooth and nail to get back into the game. In the end, the youngster did manage to raise another green flag, finishing brilliantly after a good move. But it was Sinéad Melia who had the last say with what was only Ballkelly’s third point of the half.

Scorers - Ballykelly: Róisín O’Connell 1-1, Amy Lawler, Sinéad Melia 0-3 each, Gemma Hurley 1-0, Gemma Bannon 0-2, Anne-Marie Fitzgerald, Mary Wade, Sharon Melia 0-1 each.
Sarsfields: Maeve-Ann Loftus 2-0, Laura Burke 0-2, Pauline O’Callaghan, Aoife Courtney, Laura Lynch 0-1 each.

Ballykelly v Athgarvan (6th March)

A MORE rounded team performance gave Ballykelly a surprise but fully deserved victory in Athgarvan on Sunday morning.

The hosts, in the absence of Aisling Lambe and the Eadestown-bound Edel Delaney, were overly reliant on Tracy Noone, who produced a phenomenal personal tally of 2-9. Meanwhile, the youthful winners had their own shooting star in Sinéad Melia, who got 4-2, as well as a quality supporting cast of scorers and providers.

Athgarvan found it difficult to cope with the pace of Ballykelly s attacking octet in what was a fast, open, entertaining game and were rocked back on their heels by a goal after two minutes. It was a brilliant finish by Sinéad Melia, into the left corner from the right edge of the area, bringing to mind Marco van Basten s screamer in Euro 88. Molly Ryan, who was to make a breathtaking save later in the half, had no chance Noone (free) and Melia exchanged points before the hosts hit a purple patch with five points in six minutes. Four of these came from Noone (one free) and the hard-working Aileen Whelehan popped up with the other. Melia stopped the rot with a point from a free but when Noone shot powerfully to the roof of the net, seven minutes before the change of ends, it was looking good for Athgarvan.

By half time, however, Ballykelly had turned a four-point deficit into a two-goal advantage. Points from Bannon (two) and Róisín O Connell left just a point between the sides before Melia struck with a brace of goals. Conway raised a white flag and it was 3-6 to 1-6 at the interval. The light blues upped it a level over the second period, with the winners only managing to score 1-2, while having to defend for long periods, as Noone and Lorraine Whyte got on top in the middle.

Margaret McCormack - who made a couple of excellent saves - Geraldine Stafford, Evelyn Moore, Amy Burtenshaw and Sharon Melia were seen to good effect for the winners in these circumstances, however. The excellent Noone shot to the net soon after the resumption and followed with two points (one free) to leave just the minimum between the sides. The maroons never ceded the advantage, however, although they had to rely on luck for the game s critical score.

It came from a 48th minute Melia free kick out on the left wing which deceived the entire Athgarvan defensive unit, and made it all the way to the net, via Noone s fingertips. Bannon s point put five between them but a gallant Athgarvan put in a last, desperate drive. Two Noone frees were responded to by a Lawlor point - one of a number of Ballykelly scores that could have been goals - but sub Ellen Ryan finished a flowing move to the net to leave just a point between them and five minutes remaining.

Try as they might, however, Athgarvan couldn t break down the Ballykelly rearguard and the visitors held on for a successful debut in Division 1.

2004 Senior Ladies League

Ballykelly v Prosperous (7th Nov)

Ballykelly collected their first Senior title on Sunday when a brilliant first half display wiped out a brave Prosperous and left the second half merely a matter of counting down the clock to when the celebrations could begin. A fit and well drilled Ballykelly team started like an express train and had their first score, a Caoimhe Harrison point after only ten seconds with Sharon Melia and Amy Lawler stringing the passes together. An Eileen McCormack foul on Aine McCormack gave Gillian Behan the chance to level the game inside two minutes and this she did cracking over a long range free but from then on Ballykelly piled on the scores with Sinead Melia getting on the score sheet soon after, pointing a free she herself had earned. Little did we know at that stage the massive influence the fourteen year old was to have on the game?

From then to half time her scored eight more points in as good a display of marksmanship as seen in many a day and yes she did kick a wide just before the break. Well even that Sinead is not perfect but Prosperous must have been wondering. Roisin O’Connell, the mobile hard grafting centre forward, midfielders Annemarie Fitzgerald, two with one from a free and Sharon Melia also added points, and go getting full forward Amy Lawler smashed in a eighteenth minute goal, all without reply to leave Ballykelly in an unassailable 1 – 16 to 0 – 1 half time lead.

The score getters were being backed up by a solid half back line which totally dominated with Amy Burtenshaw blotting out the ever dangerous Gillian Behan while Sandra Prendergast and Eileen McCormack were supreme.

On the changeover Prosperous did improve. Whether it was the benefit of the hill, the improved performances of half backs Mary Murphy and Evelyn or Louise Conlon winning a foothold around the middle they cut the supply to the Ballykelly forwards but after a thirty-third minute Gillian Behan pointed free they had to wait another twelve minutes to get their next point In the meantime Ballykelly had given up scoring with too many hand passes going astray as well as a couple of good chances, the best smacked against a Prosperous post by Annemarie Fitzgerald. After Aine McCormack got the third point a bit of off the ball obstruction won Prosperous a penalty but “Mags” Mc Cormack stood up to Gillian Behan’s shot and pushed it over for a point. By now Ballykelly were missing chances, too often trying to walk the ball in but there was no pressure to add to their tally and amazingly they did not add a single score in the second half. Eventually with a couple of minutes left Aine McCormack got some reward for her hard grafting when her shot which looked to be covered was deflected past a not too impressed Margaret McCormack but the game was long since won and “Mags” was soon the recipient of the Kate McGee Shield as the victorious Captain. She had a couple of saves to make in the second half and tidied up very well. Sister Geraldine at full back was in control without being overly stretched and can now look forward to her wedding, in a couple of weeks very satisfied with the progress the Club has made, progress both sisters have been hugely involved in on and off the pitch. Both corner backs, Jenny Forde and Evelyn Moore excelled and Evelyn’s substitution late on was only to allow Mary Kate Callaghan to show her paces which she did as did Emma Sharpe who was also introduced for the last quarter. The half back trio, Amy Burtenshaw Eileen McCormack and Sandra Prendergast were always in charge while the midfield of Annemarie Fitzgerald and Sharon Melia who totally dominated the first half were only slightly less effective thereafter.

In attack Caoimhe Harrison and Roisin O’Connell spelled trouble anytime they had possession which was quite a lot, Martina Foster used the ball well and inside Stephanie Maher and Amy Lawler concentrated on setting up the chances which Sinead Melia took with such aplomb. Nine points, eight of them from play by an Under 14 in a Senior final is some tally and only for some wayward shooting late in the first half and in the second half Sinead Melia’s tally could have been more. Watch this space over the next couple of years as this young lady will be a torn in many a Division 1 teams side.

For Prosperous goalkeeper Antoinette Jago was the star, with a series of brilliant stops saving her side from an even heavier defeat. Gwen Molloy Mary Murphy and Evelyn Lambe worked hard in the overstretched defence, Louise Conlon worked like a Trojan at midfield but only Gillian Behan and Aine McCormack made any impression in attack while the introduction at the interval of County panellist Ciara Malone promised much but vigilant Ballykelly defending and that long standing knee injury meant the return was limited.

Rathangan v Ballykelly (31st Oct) - Div 2A

This clash of near neighbours started in very competitive mode. Rathangan dominated the early minutes and were in front by the third minute when Aine McGivern did the spade work and Deirdre Kearney kicked an excellent lead point. Both teams then missed a couple of chances with Aine McGivern’s goal attempt stretching Mags McCormack. A point from way out by Laura Dunne doubled the Rathangan advantage and the prospect of reversing a fairly recent defeat by the Maroons started to look likely but Ballykelly were only starting and Rathangan were not to score again in the first half and by half time their world had really collapsed. Sinead Melia got the first Ballykelly point after eight minutes and added two from frees in the twelfth and seventeenth minutes, as the exchanges became rather testy with one of the frees awarded against the Rathangan goalkeeper for barging. Just on twenty minutes an off the ball clash resulted in a player from each side, Rathangan full back Caroline Flood and Ballykelly midfielder Gemma Bannon, getting red cards and seconds later Sinead Melia drifted a free into the Rathangan square and when it broke, big sister Sharon arrived to poke home from about six inches. Then disaster for Rathangan. Goalkeeper Linda Ennis fielded well under the cross-bar but when she found her way out blocked her reaction drew a red card. Rathangan now had to put Noelle Noones into goal and withdraw Deirdre Kearney to full back and well as the two re-sited players played the side never recovered from the disruption. and added four quick points, Sinead Melia from a free, Amy Lawler two from play and Annemarie Fitzgerald widened the gap. Then on the stroke of half-time Stephanie Maher was on hand to blast to the net at the end of an excellent move. At 2 – 7 to 0-2Ballykelly looked in complete control at the break and things got even better a minute into the second half when Amy Lawler tore through, and even though Noelle Noones did brilliantly to block her shot Sinead Melia was on hand to gather and fire home the rebound. A couple of Rathangan points followed, from Jenny Noones and a Dawn Power penalty which she skied over. The miss was expensive as Martina Foster started a move, carried on by Sinead Melia and Amy Lawler burst onto Sinead’s flicked pass to shoot her sided fourth goal. Ballykelly added three further points, from Annemarie Fitzgerald, Amy Lawler at the end of the games best move involving Goalkeeper Mags McCormack Sandra Prendergast, Eileen McCormack, and Sinead Melia, and Sub Emma Sharpe. The last ten minutes saw the game peter out as limbs tired. Mary Kate Callaghan had a late cameo as a brief “Blood Sub” for Sharon Melia whose injury was minor and accidental but Mary Kate impressed in her five minute run. The final score came in the last minute and it came from one of Rathangan’s best on the day, Aine McGivern but the battle had long been lost by then.

Mags McCormack has a superb game in the Ballykelly goals bossing her area superbly but a late loss of concentration saw her spill the ball twice and the second time she picked up a knock in the scramble for the loose ball, but she retrieved and held on the deck. In front sister Geraldine was in command with Jenny Forde ably assisting. The half back trio of Sandra Prendergast, Eileen McCormack and Amy Burtenshaw excelled as did Anne Marie Fitzgerald, in the company of Emma Bannon and then Sharon Melia. Up front Sinead Melia and Amy Lawler were the main dangers with Stephanie Maher a clever poacher but Caoimhe Harrison was unusually quiet. For Rathangan Noelle Noones excelled in her spell as goalkeeper, Caroline Flood started well, Claire Kelly and Deirdre Kearney defended well, Aine McGivern and Dawn Power battled all the way at midfield but after Deirdre Kearney had to move to defence Valerie McGivern Jenny Noones and Laura Dunne were just not able to break down the Ballykelly defence hard though they tried.

Scorers
Ballykelly: Sinead Melia 1-4(0-3Frs), Amy Lawlor 1-3, Sharon Melia 1-0, Stephanie Maher 1-0, Ann Marie Fitzgerald 0-2, Emma Sharpe 0-1
Rathangan:Deirdre Kearney 0-1, Laura Dunne 0-1, Jenny Noones 0-1, Dawn Power 0-1(Pen), Valerie McGivern 0-1

Teams
Ballykelly 1 Margaret McCormack, 2 Jenny Forde, 3 Geraldine McCormack, 4 Evelyn Moore, 5 Sandra Prendergast, 6 Eileen McCormack 7 Amy Burtenshaw, 8 Gemma Bannon, 9 Annemarie Fitzgerald 0-2, 10 Caoimhe Harrison 1-2, 11 Amy Lawlor 0-2, 12 Martina Foster, 13 Stephanie Maher 0-1, 14 Sharon Melia, 15 Sinead Melia,
Subs Played: Emma Sharpe for M Foster (45 min), Mary Kate Callaghan for Sharon Melia (48-53Min)
Rathangan 1 Linda Ennis, 2 Laura Kenna, 3 Caroline Flood, 4 Noelle Noones, 5 Grainne O’Connell, 6 Claire Kelly, 7 Ann Murphy, 8 Aine McGivern, 9 Dawn Power, 10 Valerie McGivern 0-4, 11 Donna Gorry 0-1, 12 Laura Dunne, 13 Jenny Noones, 14 Deirdre Kearney 0-1, 15 Lorraine Bagnall
Subs Played: Ruth Conlon for A McGivern (Inj 43Min), Evelyn Lynch for L Bagnall (43 min)

Suncroft v Ballykelly (7th August) - Division 2B

The Croft with Elaine Dillon hitting 2-04 moved into the championship final after a great tussle with Ballykelly. In what was always a tight affair Suncroft were never behind however and always looked to have a little in hand with Trish Tobin, Tanya Brown, Patrice Behan and Paula Brown in great form in defence and Gwen Deering and Helen Sexton excellent in midfield. while Lorraine Foy, Emma Hanlon and veteran Orla Dillon impresses in a quick moving forward line. Ballykelly who trailed 0-04 to 1-05 at the break with Amy Lawler hitting their 4 points also had Mags McCormack, Ger McCormack, Sharon Melia, Gemma Bannon, Caoimhe Harrison, Sinead Melia and Eileen McCormack in terrific form throughout but the overall strength of the Suncroft attack eventually wore them down with Elaine Dillon the outstanding player on view and her two well taken goals proved the main difference between the sides.

Suncroft v Ballykelly (3rd July) - Division 2B

With Ballykelly yet to be beaten in the 2B league they would be forgiven for being confident, however they knew Suncroft to be a worthy opponent especially on their own ground and this game would be a meeting of equals. The game itself was therefore a good one to watch with displays of talent and style from both sides. Suncroft opened the scoring with a point in the first few minutes of the game but Ballykelly quickly replied. Suncroft kept right on the heels of the Ballyk side keeping the supporters on both sides biting their nails! A goal from Suncroft in the first half gave an added boost to their side and fuelled them on for more scores, however Ballykelly’s focus and single mindedness meant they never lost control and were soon back in the game. By half time Ballykelly were ahead but only by a point.

The second half was again similar to the first half with both sides putting everything they had into the game. Right to the very end Suncroft were only trailing by only 2 points but with some well taken scores by Sinead Melia and Ann-Marie Fitzgerald Ballyk pulled away from Suncroft in the dying minutes of the game. Mags McCormack made a brilliant save in the final minutes of the game to keep Suncroft from clawing their way back to within contention of the game. The final score of 3-10 1-09 is not a fair reflection of this closely contested game. In the end Ballykelly did deserved the win, with the difference being some extra special displays by it’s players, both in defence and on the forward line. With this gelled approach to the game, Ballykelly are slowly becoming a footballing engine with everyone working together as one.

Ballykelly vs Rathangan (20th June) - Division 2B

It was more than just a battle for league points as Ballykelly lined out against Rathangan on Sunday, Ballykelly having lost some players to the newly formed Rathangan club last year, had something to prove. In the first few minutes of the game, with most of the possession by Ballyk, they looked set to do just that. A shot on goal came in the first 2 minutes from Ballykelly and although it went wide this was the scene for much of the match with Ballykelly winning ball all over the field and always pushing forward. Rathangan also gave away a penalty early on, and kicked on target by Martina Foster left BallyK comfortably ahead. By half time, BallyK lead on 1-06 with Rathangan having only scored a single point, that being from a free.

After half time Rathangan came out like women on a mission and did their damndest not to have BallyK get the better of them. They seemed to get more possession than in the first half and the Ballykelly side seemed to have lost some steam. The difference was, when BallyK had possession they almost invariably scored whereas Rathangan wasted a lot of ball with carelessly kicked wides. Sinead Melia played a stormer and managed to acrue 5 points herself and set up a few more in the second half. By full time Rathangan had only scored 1 of their 3 points from play. It would be a difficult job to pick out the best players from the Ballykelly team. It was evident from the game that Ballykelly is teeming with talent, and this combined makes them a formidable opponent and a side to watch in the future. The full time score was Ballykelly 1-15 Rathangan 0-03

Score Ballykelly 1-15 Rathangan 0-03
Ballykelly scorers: Martina Foster 1-2, Sinead Melia 0-7, Roisin O'Connell 0-2, Stephanie Maher 0 -1, AnnMarie Fitzgerald 0-1, Amy Lalor 0-1

Ballykelly vs Kilcock (28th March) - Division 2A

Ballykelly ladies continued there winning streak by defeating Kilcock on Sunday on a score line of 2-10 to 2-6 at Kilcock pitch. This was an “A” group match. It was a perfect day for football, there was a light breeze that hindered no one, while on the cold side. It was a feast of hard tough football by both sides. Ballykelly opened there account with a point in the opening minutes of the game. It was a slow scoring but entertaining first half with some brilliant displays of football. A tough catch by Margaret McCormack and a courageous block by Roisin O’Connell just an example of the spectacular football on show in the first half. Ballykelly were winning at half time with a score of 4 points to 3 points. The second half continued as the first half had, slow and steady, until a goal from Kilcock upped the anti and forced Ballykelly to think and work fast. Ballykelly came back to score a goal (Gemma Bannon). The second half saw injury to Karen Conway from a hard tackle resulting in her having to go off and be replaced by Gemma Hurley. Kilcock came back with another goal, but Ballykelly the underdogs, responded with 1 goal (Roisin O’Connell) and 3 points in the space of 4 minutes playing time to turn the match around. It was an intense display of passing and fast ball work, showing Ballykellys hunger for the win. Ballykelly came out on top in the end to win the match by 4 points.

Scores of the match:
Gemma Bannon 1-1
Roisin O’Connell 1-1
Sinead Melia 0 - 2
Anne- Marie Fitzgerald 0-2
Eileen McCormack 0-2
Karen Conway 0- 1
Stephanie Maher 0- 1

2003 Senior Ladies League (Division 2)

Prosperous v Ballykelly (27th april)

The second half brought a different story with Prosperous coming out with a new lease of life. Some well taken scores from Prosperous brought them right back into contention for the game. Ballykelly remained ahead, although were mindful that Prosperous were creeping up on the score board and were within a chance of winning the game. That chance came in the closing minutes of the game with a goal from Prosperous followed by a point.
Final score Prosperous 3-4 Ballykelly 2-4

Ballykelly v Carbury (22 April)

Suncroft v Ballykelly (21 April)

The second half saw Ballykelly play down the hill with the wind at their backs, and they had two more points on the board within 10 minutes, both scores comming from the excellent Caoimhe Harrison. Now it was Suncrofts turn and they realy pilled on the pressure with points from Orla Dillon 1, Emma Hanlon 1, and the impressive Elaine Dillon 2 leaving just 2 pionts between the sides and with about 5 minutes to go. Suncrofts Emma Hanlon broke through on goal but her shot was expertly saved by the Ballykelly Keeper Linda Ennis. This seemed to inspire her team mates and the visitors broke down field and corner forward Martina Foster tapped over to leave 3 between the teams. On the resultant kick out, Ballykelly gained possesion and the ball found its way to Caoimhe Harrison who finished to the net with the last kick of the game.

Ballykelly v Prosperous (2nd March)

The second half commenced in determined fashion for the visitors and for the first 15 minutes the sides were evenly matched with Prosprous getting the first 2 points of the half. Now it was the turn of the home team's defence to show what they were made of and they did not disappoint. Led by the McCormack sisters they snuffed out the treat from the visitors and gradually reaffirmed the home teams domance on the game which saw them run out comfortable winners.
Full time score: Ballykelly 5-10 Prosprous 1-4
Scorers
Ballykelly: Donna Gorry 0-3, Amy Lawler 0-1
Prosperous: Caroline Walsh 0-1 Jennifer Ward 0-1

Best for Ballykelly In defence Ger and Mags McCormack, Evelyn Moore Amy Burtenshaw at midfield Gemma Bannon and Sharon Melia while up front Donna Gorry, Amy Lawler, Caoimhe Harrison and Elieen Harrison were best.

For Prosprous in defence Tracy Brown, Caroline o Connor and Mary Murphy tried hard while up front Allison Palmer, Gillian Behan, Caroline Walsh and Jennifer Ward tried hardest.

2002 Senior Ladies Match Reports

Na Fianna v Ballykelly (20th Oct)

Yet again BK ladies came out in fighting form, not only battling against the opposition, but against the wind and the rain on a cold miserable October morning. Na Fianna saw little of the ball in the first half, with BK having most possesion of the ball. Caoimhe Harrison true to form, powered in 2 goals and a point in the first half with the score at half time 2-3 to 0-1. Ballykelly didn't let up in the second half, despite their strong lead. Two more goals went passed the Na Fianna goally, one from Orla Dunne and the other from Donna Gorry. The final score was 4-7 to 0-3, testement to Ballykelly's marked improvement over the past year, and an indication of what is to come in the next. Ballykelly ladies are now a team to be reckoned with.
Final Score: Ballykelly 4-7 Na Fianna 0-3

Ballykelly v Eadstown (13th Oct)

Unfortunately the points had to be conceded for this match, a high percentage of the team having been casualties in one way or another, to the 48 hour debs! Never ones to back away from a challnge however, the 11 man BK team lined out for a challenge game against the visitors. Ballykelly gave a good show, displaying a distinct improvement in comparison to the last clash against Eadstown (which we will hereafter not mention!), and considering BK were playing with only a skeleton team it is a taste of the potential that exists within the team itself. Thanks for the game Eadstown.

Raheens v Ballykelly (6th Oct)

It was definately a game of 2 halves. Although they kept ahead until the end of the first half, Ballykelly did not play to their usual high standard. The second half however saw a turnaround. Although Raheens made a mighty effort to claw their way back, with a late goal, it was quickly responded to with an almost immediate goal the opposite end, brilliantly executed by Caoimhe Harrison.
Final Score: Ballykelly 2-10 Raheens 1-7

Kilcock v Ballykelly (21 July)

Moorefield v Ballykelly (18th July)

Raheens v Ballykelly (11th July)

Ballykelly v Suncroft (June 2nd)

Ballykelly v Na Fianna (April 30th)

The girls again let this one slip by after an indifferent first half performance, which saw Na Fianna lead at half time on a score line of 3-6 to0-3. the second half saw a complete turn around with the Bk girls dominating all over the field, but alas they had given the visitors to good of a start and could not reel them in. Best for Bk were: Ger Mc Cormack Gemma Bannon Comihe Harrison Eileen Mc Cormack and Amy Lawler.
Final score: Na Fianna 4-8 Ballykelly 3-5

Ballykelly v Raheen (April 23rd)

Ballykelly 0-7 Raheens 1-9
The girls turned in a great second half and were unlucky not to win this one. In the first half they were very flat footed and could not seem to get going and trailed by 8 points at half time. The second half was a complete turn around with the girls dominating all over the field and were unlucky not to get at least 1 goal, having forced a couple of great saves out of the Raheens keeper and striking the post once. This was a good performance but special mention must go to Amy Burtenshaw, and Linda Ennis who were outstanding throughout.

Ballykelly v Na Fianna (April 14th 2002)

Sunday last (Apr 14th) Ballykelly came up against the might of Na Fianna. Na Fianna being a well established team, it was always going to be a tough battle. It was a high scoring game, played with great determination on both sides. At the end of the day however it was Na Fianna who were the better team, winning by a comfortable margin. Ballykelly should however be proud that they held their own against such a strong side. A great performance by all. Well done to the girls of Na Fianna!