The weather gods aligned to bring a glorious sunny day for our inaugural Donal Walsh Livelife Memorial tournament held today in Healy Park and Strand Road.
Participation and enjoyment were the key elements of Donal’s message to the youth of this country and to live your life to the full – we had it all today as seven teams took part in a 9 a side, super touch style competition which all got under way this morning at 10.00 am.
By early afternoon, the action was reduced to four teams as Ballymac and St Pats battled it out initially in the shield competition with the physically stronger boys from Ballymac taking the honours against a gallant St Pats side.
The main competition featured ourselves and old rivals Austin Stacks and it was perhaps befitting that after a great tussle we emerged victorious on a final score line of 0-08 to 0-05. There was little to choose between the sides in the first half but having an interval lead of 0-03 to 0-01 having faced the slight breeze made us favourites for the cup – the Rock had other ideas and after 5 minutes of the 2nd half we were all square at 0-04 apiece; it was then that we upped the ante and scored four unanswered points to see out the game.
Fionbarr Walsh presented wining captain TJ Heaphy with the magnificent cup with Jack Savage taking the Man of the Match award and Danny Hennessy being awarded the Player of the Tournament.
The annals will recall in time that we were the first winners of this tournament but the real winners were those lucky enough to participate in this event which remembers a favourite son of Strand Road.
Academy:
U14 B: vs Legion on Weds last 2nd May.
It was a great game and great performances by all. There was great excitement right to the final whistle with KoR coming away winners in the end by one-point, final score KoR 4-6 , Legion 1-14.
U14 B’s away to Ballymac on Wednesday the 9th May @ 19.00
U12 A&B’s: Played at home to Moyvane Tuesday evening at 6.30pm the 1st May….. The 1st day of summer, well it didn’t feel like summer as it poured rain for the entire two games.
U12 A Team played their hearts out against a strong opposition – conditions were difficult with a slippery ball and some tough, physical tackling – Moyvane coming out winners in the end on a final score line of 4-12 to 4-05.
B Team: They played well, great performances. This team seems to be improving with every game. Conditions were poor yet they gave it their all till the bitter end. Moyvane were a strong physical side yet the boys were unlucky in the end, losing out by 4 points, 4-03 to 2-05.
A special mention to all the U12’s who played in matches both Sunday and Tuesday evenings as well as playing another competitive match Wednesday evening. A big thank you to all the parents for allowing their children to play again.
The U 12’s A&B teams have a bye this week in the County league.
U8 Go Games
They Kicked off in style on Thursday the 3rd May 2018 in Ballyrickard at 6.30pm.
There were huge numbers with everyone having great fun as they played in the sunshine. Overall, a great success.
No Go Games this week … A rest this week for the children (and parents)!
The Academy:
A large crowd gathered in Ballyrickard this morningat 11am for the Academy training.
It was warm glorious sunshine and it truly felt like summer!!!
The parents watched on in the sunshine as the children learned the next skill to work on this week which is the Hand Pass.
The coaches work so hard each week with all the children to teach them and help them improve the skills of the game.
Well done to all!
The parents enjoyed a Cuppa and as always, some home baking and even ice-cream was needed for the cool down!
A big congratulation to the players of the week:
U6 Boy Tadhg Lawlor
Girl Hannah O’Sullivan
U8 Boys Eoghan Behan
Roman Fako
U10 Boy Cayden Roche
U8/U10 Girls Caragh Houlihan
Caitlin Savage
See you all at the Academy next Sunday 13th May at 11am … Let’s hope the sunshine continues too!!!
U-14 County League:
Following on from our recent win over Ballymac last week we next take on Ardfert this coming Weds night ( May 9th) in a game scheduled for Strand Road with a 7 pm throw in; we are on 6 points from a possible 8 and look well set to have a home venue in the semi finals of this competition. The lads have been playing some great football since the first round loss to Fossa and another great tussle is guaranteed next week.
Central Region u-16:
Having lost to Churchill in last week’s rearranged fixture, we are scheduled to contest the semi finals of this year’s competition when taking on table toppers Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane this Monday night ( May 7th) in Glenbeigh where throw in is @ 19.00
