Ballygar/Newbridge under sixteen had a great win last Saturday 26/09/09 in Rahoon /Newcastle pitch angst Michael Breathnachs. It was a very exciting game that was played at a fast pace. The lads from Ballygar/Newbrige started well and fought for every ball in defence. With a solid performance by Damien Gordan in goal keeping us in the game with some great saves. Down the centre Andrew Naughtion and Andrew Smith held the centre position very well sweeping any ball that broke. The lads in the full and half position Padraigh Noone, Owen Shaughnessy, Nathan Downey and Liam O Brien who were the core strength in the first half breaking every ball and clearing up the wings. The hurling was hard, fair, and resilient.
In the middle of the park Anto Healy and Enda Naughtion held there own and won some great possession to feed a fast and furious forward line in the. With some great scores taking by the youngsters playing very stylish hurling. Scores in the first half came from Colin O Brian, Connor Langan, Carian Toughness Shane Delaney. Steven Crehan had an outstand game in the forwards and set up a good deal of scores in the game. Gerry Kenny broke some great ball for the lads in the middle to come on to. We went in at half time leading by seven points playing on a score line of 3-3 to 5 point's playing angst a strongest breezy.
However the second half was a different story. Talk about a game of two half. MICHAEL BREATHNACHS came at us with everything they could and in the first ten minuets of the second half scored two goals with another two to follow towards the end of the game to make for a thrilling finish to a great game.
We tip over a few points to slightly keep us ahead of MICHAEL BREATHNACHS. Our depth and strength was tested and the lads from Ballygar /Newbrige stood up to be accepted as a great young group of players from the parish as the final puck of the game went over the bar to put us in the county final of the under sixteen competition. This was a team effort with all involved playing their part Shane Gavin, Andrew Slyman Padraigh Gilmore were there to support when called on duty. Jack Daly has be a major part of the team could not play on Saturday as we was playing with the county in the under fourteen Connolly/Cunniffe tournament "well done Jack". It was very hard to choose the man of the match as there was sturdy competition for the prize it went to Steven Crehan on merit as he has fought his way back on the team.
The final is on next weekend we are playing our good friendly rivals Padraigh Pearses which we are preparing for and hope to see as much support as possible on the day.
Damien Finneran
It's not about the win but the journey for Ballygar/Newbridge hurlers who are in the U16 County Semi Final.
Ballygar/Newbridge hurlers had a great win on Sunday the 13th of September in Sylan. The lads from Ballygar/Newbrige were the stronger side on the day and won a tough battle against Carnmore who were the hot favourites to win the competition. What counted most was the manner in which the lads fought in the second half after been seven points down at half time. We are now in a semi final to play Michael Breathnachs, expect this one to be a tight battle as they have already claimed some of our scalp this year.
During the year so far, from the suck valley league in February to the semi final in mid September there was a number of ups and downs for the team. However the main success we had this year was an improvement in every young player's confidence, skills, and belief in their own ability.
Damien Gordon is playing a pivotal role as the gate keeper in goal and stood strong to the position when the team needed him this showed his strength of character. In defence Enda Naughton and Andrew Smith are two of the finest players who are growing from strength to strength and had a great approach towards learning new skills. Andrew Naughton is having a great finish to the season and is a stalwart in defender or midfield. Liam O'Brien and Nathan Downey are two of the younger players whose game has improved 100% over the season. Padraic Noone, Owen shocks, and Stephen Crehan are having a great season and showed their ability to catch a ball under pressure in the tight. There hurling is hard and fair all year and have got a great approach to the game
Anthony Healy and Colin O'Brien are great readers of the game and have the potential to become masters in midfield as they play well of each other.
Carian Shaughnessy and Shane Delaney are two of the older lads. Carian a deadly hand and proved this many times during the year he is the most improved player in the club and has brought an impressive running style of hurling to the team and could become one of the best centre forward's in the club. Shane Delaney is one of the key players in the team he has never let the side down all year and has consistently been one of the best players. He has also proved his free taking ability and is the top scorer Shane has been the playmaker for the team.
Shane Gavin has improve his game all season as is one of the young players that is showing good potential as he fights for every ball. Padraig Gilmore has improved his skills all year and will grow to be a good hurler he has battled hard all season and scored a few great goals. Andrew Slyman has shown some great skill during the year and has a good first touch he has a lot of skill playing in forwards during the year and is a key to the success of the team and future of the club. Up front Jack Daly, Conor Langan and Geard Kenny are the younger lads who are playing out of their skins and having an explosive finish to the season as they are finding their position in the forward line.
Damien Finneran
Ballygar/Newbrige on Galway hurling map.
This year has been successful for Ballygar/Newbridge hurlers, we started the year with a win in the Suck Valley shield at under fourteen level. Our minor and under sixteen's are in the quarter final stages of both competition's.
The highlight of the year for the club so far has been Conor Langan's achievement in making the under fourteen Galway team at corner back. Conor has given a great boost to hurling in Ballygar/Newbridge area by playing for the under 14 Galway team. He proved that he has the ability and skill to become one of the best hurlers in the county as he held his position in defence for all competitive games in the maroon and white. Conor has always had great attributes at underage in the club to make a top sports person for club and county. He is very honest, hard working and like his father Pat he is a tough and fair hurler.
This is a huge achievement for the Ballygar/Newbridge area as Conor has set a standard for young hurlers in the local parish to work towards. This achievement has also put Ballygar/Newbrige under the radar for prospects for future county selection as we have some great prospects on the way up. The underage structure in the club is making great progress to provide opportunity for our young players. The club is in the process in of introducing a hurling wall and run an indoor hurling league. The management of the underage hurling teams in the Ballygar/Newbridge area would like to thank all involved in the underage structure at county level for their support during the year.
Damien Finneran
