Ballymore Ladies GFC

League – 3 wins out of 3 for the Ladies
Vs Nurney\Kildangan
Nurney couldn’t provide a football pitch for this Sunday morning game and Ballymore Ladies were delighted with the unexpected home advantage for their first league game. They are a newly formed club and this was their first competitive match. Ballymore’s experience meant it was all one-way traffic and our backs had a well deserved rest!
Nurney 0-1 Ballymore 8-19

Vs Castledermot
Castledermot also had problems getting the game on their pitch so Ballymore Ladies travelled to Grangefort GFC in Carlow for their 2nd league fixture. The two teams have always had close games with Ballymore winning two out of the previous three. Although Castledermot had some good players, the Ballymore girls linked well as a team and should have had a few more scores on the board.
Castledermot 1-2 Ballymore 5-4

Vs Milltown
Ballymore Ladies knew that Milltown would be a real challenge. Ballymore dominated the first half with some good passing right through from the backline but Milltown came back in the 2nd half scoring 3 goals in quick succession. Ballymore made some positional changes and substitutions and got a hold back on the game, adding a third league victory to their season.
Ballymore 6-8 Milltown 5-2

Remaining games
Ballymore have two league games remaining which will have been played by the time the Bugle is printed. Balyna II come to Ballymore on Sunday 15th April and the girls then travel to Rheban on Tuesday 17th April. Both teams have had good runs so far and these will be two challenging games for the ladies.
Grange II have decided not to compete and with three wins under their belt, Ballymore are looking good for a place in the play-offs for promotion to Division 3.

Challenge Matches
Vs Eadestown II
Eadestown II had a very successful league and championship run last year and had hammered the girls in previous games. The ladies were beaten again but certainly provided more of a challenge on this occasion with new player Amanda Conway getting the first point of the game.
Ballymore 2-2 Eadestown II 4-10

Vs Donard/Glen
This was perhaps the closest and most physical game that Ballymore Ladies have ever played. The game took place on Easter Saturday in the old pitch in Dunlavin and it was end-to-end stuff. Both sides showed great enthusiasm throughout, with Ballymore using all of the players on their panel. In the end a draw was probably the fairest result. Well done to Susan Foley who played in goals for the first time.
Ballymore 3-15 Donard 4-12

New Jerseys
Ballymore Ladies were not just looking forward to their first league game for the football, it was also the first outing of their new kit! The girls would like to thank Pat Murphy for his sponsorship.

New Hats
The weather may have improved in the last few weeks but the ladies have had a couple of months training in cold weather. Thanks to Clark’s Garage for the woolly hats that kept our ears warm!

Big Win
The Kildare Ladies County Board held a members draw at their monthly meeting at the end of March. Ballymore Ladies had bought a number of tickets for the draw and won the first prize of €1000.

Calling the Young Ladies of Ballymore
Ballymore Ladies are helping the Juvenile club with their training on Friday evenings from 6.30 to 7.30 up at the pitch. We would encourage all girls between the ages of 6 and 12 to attend.

Ballymore Ladies’ Rose
Well done to Orla Bradshaw who competed in the Kildare Rose. On the big night, Orla performed a song accompanied by Aoife Doyle on the fiddle. Although she didn’t win, Orla thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the team are hugely proud of her. Ballymore Ladies look forward to having her back at training!

- S O’Donoghue