Ballymore keen to bounce back

28 February 2007

It’s just two years since Ballymore have been competing in the higher echelons of Westmeath football and they’re keen to return there. Failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the intermediate football championship in 2006 has made them re-focus and, backed by a thriving underage structure, Ballymore plan to be major players in the season ahead, as Maroon and White found out from club Secretary, Seamus McDermott.

Following their exit from senior football in 2005 after a narrow defeat to Tubberclair in a relegation play-off, Ballymore were intent on making an immediate return to the top flight last year. However, they were drawn in a highly competitive division and managed just three championship wins against Tang, Rosemount and Milltownpass.

Another win would have guaranteed a knockout spot and, in such a highly competitive championship, Ballymore would surely have been a dangerous proposition for any of the leading contenders. Determined to extend their championship run for a while longer in ’07, Ballymore have appointed former Westmeath and Rosemount footballer, Tom Darcy, as manager for the year ahead.
Darcy, with his vast levels of experience as a player and manager is sure to make a big impression and his presence will inspire a huge effort. On top of that, Ballymore are confident that the success of the Millmore Gaels (Ballymore and Milltown) amalgamation setup will strengthen their challenge.

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Millmore Gaels won the minor football championship (Division 3) in ’06, ironically against Darcy’s Rosemount, while they also played a pivotal role in the success of the St. Patrick’s amalgamation side in the premier championship. Millmore Gaels teamed up with Ballynacargy and Shandonagh to deny Inny Gaels in the county final.
"We have a lot of minors coming through and they are all fighting for their place on the team, which is sure to increase competition," remarked Seamus McDermott. "It’s very close and competitive in the intermediate grade and our season hinged on one game really - the match against Maryland, which we lost," he added.

Ballymore’s ’06 intermediate campaign actually began full of promise. With former footballer, Willie Finnerty, at the helm, they recorded a vital win over neighbours, Tang in the first round. Although a point adrift at half time (0-3 to 0-2), Ballymore battled back and late points from Paddy Molloy and Liam Gilligan ensured a narrow 0-8 to 0-7 victory.
Round two pitted Ballymore against Rosemount and the fixture attracted a large crowd to Tang. It was a tight, tough, robust encounter, with the sides level (0-3 apiece) at the interval. However, a fortuitous goal by Liam Gilligan in the second half put Ballymore in control and despite conceding a penalty, they held on for a 1-6 to 1-4 win - Gilligan sealing victory with a brilliant injury time point.

Ballymore headed for Castletown-Geoghegan to face ’Finea in round three. On a dreadfully wet evening, with thunder and lightning thrown in for good measure, Finnerty’s men came unstuck, losing by five points (1-9 to 0-7). However, it was very close throughout and ’Finea’s goal came late in the game, when Ballymore failed to clear the danger after Ciaran McCormack had made a vital save.

If that was disappointing, Ballymore’s eight-point loss to Kilbeggan Shamrocks in round four was a serious blow. Trailing by just two points at half time, 1-5 to 0-6, Ballymore faded in the second half, losing 0-9 to 2-11 in the end.
Finnerty’s charges headed for Hogan Park, Moate to tackle Milltownpass in the next round and they managed to put their poor form behind them to record a crucial victory. Leading by 0-6 to 0-3 at half time, Ballymore got the better of a turgid second half to win by 0-9 to 0-6 in the end. They then faced a must win game against in- form neighbours, Maryland.

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With so much at stake, Ballymore’s performance in this crunch encounter can only be described as disappointing. They failed to score in the first half and trailed by five points at the interval, before the concession of a late goal ensured Maryland of a 1-7 to 0-5 victory.
"It was a very tight group," mused Seamus McDermott. "Failing to make the play-offs was disappointing, but we had good victories over Rosemount, Tang and Milltownpass. Obviously we had set a target of making the knockout stages, so we will be looking for improvement this year.

"It was always going to be difficult in our first year back in the intermediate grade, though. I don’t know if motivation is the correct word, but it was difficult to get the players going. They were bitterly disappointed to have been relegated, but training went very well under Willie Finnerty, who was in charge for the first time.
"The games were very tight and keenly contested, even in the league. The championship was very competitive and it’s amazing the difference winning and losing one game can make; another defeat and we could have been battling to survive, whereas another win could have put us through.

"Tom Darcy is now training us and we are expecting big things. Training started in January and Tom’s experience can make all the difference this year. He has a great playing career behind him and also trained teams at both club and inter-county level," he added.
A major boost for Ballymore in the last year has been the success of the Millmore Gaels amalgamation club. Not only did they win the minor championship, they also reached semi-finals at both U14 and U16 levels.
Secretary, Denis O’Rourke, and John McNeill, who was part of the minor management team, acknowledge that the amalgamation club, which has been in existence for about 10 years now, has served Ballymore very well.

"It was a very successful year for us at minor level, winning our own championship and being part of the St. Patrick’s side which captured the premier title," said McNeill. "Without amalgamation neither Ballymore or Milltown would be able to field, so it’s great that the players are getting the opportunity."
Millmore Gaels captured the Minor Football Championship (Division 3) with a plucky one-point win over Rosemount in Milltown GAA grounds on Sunday, December 17. They led by 0-6 to 0-2 at half time and held on despite a defiant second half come back by a strong, determined Rosemount side.

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"Millmore Gaels showed great character in the second half of that minor final, particularly since we had a man sent off," declared McNeill. "Rosemount scored a second half goal and, in the difficult playing conditions, we had to dig deep. So from that point of view it was very satisfying," he added.
Development is continuing at Fr. Dalton Park, the home of Ballymore GAA club, and they’re hoping to have it completed this year is lotto funding comes their way. However, getting back to senior level remains the top priority.

"Our aim is to win the championship and we feel we have as good a chance as any other team," concludes Seamus McDermott.
The Ballymore team which lost to Maryland in the intermediate championship was: Ciaran McCormack; Barry McDermott, Damien Scally, Anthony McKnight; Vinny Cox, Denis Eivers, Darragh Rooney; Paddy Martin, Declan Rooney; Anthony Kearney, Derek Molloy, Liam Gilligan; Daley McCormack, Paddy Lynch, Dermot Farrell. Subs used: Louis Meares, John Gilligan, Pat Connaughton.

The Millmore Gaels side which captured the Minor Football (Division 3) Championship title was: Mark Geraghty; Michael Kiernan, Anthony McKnight; Paddy Harrington, Andrew Slevin, Peter Murray; Eoghan Kenny, Declan Rooney; Joe Kenny, Anthony Martin, John Gilligan; Daley McCormack, Conor McNeill. Sub used: Louis Fagan.

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