Junior Football League.
This competition has become very competitive. It attracts players who, for some reason or another, don’t want to play with the senior team. It is a great league, as it gives football to a wide range of players and turn out is always good.

vs Kill. 23rd April.
The original match wasn’t played as the referee turned up late. When the match #was re-fixed with home advantage forfeited, Kill were unable to field a team!!

vs. Rheban 30th April.
Ballymore worrthy winners 1-12 to 1-3.
Keith Conway 0-6, David Browne 1-2, Noel Winders 0-2, Chris Dowling & Shay Browne 0-1.

vs. Kilcullen 8th May.
This was a tough one. After a slow start Kieth Conway scoring 6 points, Chris Dowling 2 and Gerry Fennell one, the Ballymore side prevailed. Final Score Ballymore 0-9 Kilcullen 1-4.

vs. Maynooth 14th May.
This was our first defeat. With regular full-back, Colm Browne suffering a nasty head wound which resulting in him missing the next two matches, we also lost our centre- back after ten minutes.
Maynooth 2-13 Ballymore 3-5.
Keith Conway 2-0, Noel Winders 1-0Mark McCarville & Dan Fisher 0-1.

vs. Carbury. 21st May.
No referee turned up to the disgust of Carbury. A long distance to travel for nothing. Not good enough.

vs. Castledermot 23rd May.
With Castledermot going six points clear without reply this away match looked like ending in a heavy defeat. We got back into the game going in at 1-4 to 0-4. Castledermot restored the six point margin after the re-start. Ballymnore hit a purple patch and edged ahead with five minutes remaining. However we conceded a late free with was converted and this, combined with two wides saw honours even at the final whistle. Alan Rooney played great football at mid-field.
Shane Kavanagh 0-4, Keith Conway 0-5, Noel Winders 0-2, David Browne 0-1.

vs. Moorefield 6th June.
Our heaviest defeat as a lot of our younger players were sitting the Leaving Cert. Good performances from John Lawlor, Stephen Fisher, Kevin Murphy, Mark McCarville and Chris Dowling.
Final score Moorefield 1-12 Ballymore 0-6.

vs. Kildangan 11th June
Away match on a short and narrow pitch. Ballymore found it hard going at close quarters,going three points down without reply. But after a tough match we prevailed by 1-12 to 0-9.

vs. Eadestown 18th June
Near neighbours Eadestown were fastest out of the traps and were four points up early on. Four straight scores leveled matters before an Eadestown goal from Liam McLoughlin left it 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time. Ballymore had their chances, playing great football but the match ended tied at 0-12 to
1-9.




vs. Caragh 25th June.
An away match played in high winds. Half time saw Caragh ahead 0-10 to 0-3. Even with the advantage of the wind Ballymore fell further behind, agoal and eight points down. A virtuoso performance by Keith Conway, scoring 11 of Ballymore’s final total. Caragh 1-12 Ballymore 0-12.

vs. Ellistown 2nd July.
Ballymore trailed 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time. This has been the story all season, coming from behind in all our games. A great goal by Gerry Fennell gave us a boost. But Ellistown tagged on four more points. We didn’t lie down, upped our game and clawed our way back to earn a draw. Alan Rooney, Keith Conway, Shane Kavanagh, Stephen Dwyer and Kieran Conway all played well. Great to see Kieran Doyle playing in the second half and made a great impact.

Two more matches in the league, Suncroft and Monasterevan and re-fixture with Carbury. We are fairly well up in the League table. We will keep you well informed with regular updates.


Intermediate News.

The Ballymore Senior Team have put up a good fight in the last three games of the league.
We faced stiff opposition in Kilcullen. Both sides were hungry for a win. Ballymore proved more eager, starting well. Close at half-time with Ballymore turning in a stronger performance after the break and emerged victorious.
A full side Moorefiled team provided the next opposition. We started well, but being up against the current Leinster club champions, we did extremely well to be within three points at the break.
Despite battling hard after the re-start we were beaten by a class Moorefield side.
Best on the day; pat Browne, John Doyle, James Kavanagh and K eith Conway.

Ballymore had a deserved win over the Leinster Intermediate Champions, Confey in a game played at a blistering pace. At Half time the high score was 4-8 to 3-3 for the green and gold. Confey came out fighting and pushed forward for a goal. Ballymore showed great character and ran out winners by seven points.





Ballymore Eustace GAA Club Juvenile Football & Hurling

The News:
The Juvenile hurlers including the U12 and U11 footballers went to Croke Park on Sun. 1st July for the Leinster Hurling Final. On the day the hurling was a one sided affair, but with a ring side seat down at the Canal End a great day was had by all. Will any of these Gaels get to play in Croke Park in years to come, why not!
The Juveniles in Croke Park. (And the dad’s)

The annual BME GAA Summer Camp finished up on Fri. 6th July after a very enjoyable and fun packed week. One of the key indicators as to how well the girls and boys enjoyed the camp is how long the talk about it afterwards, well this year they are still talking about it. Aine O’Neill with the help of Jenny Sheridan, Berni Barrett, Michelle Waters and Marion Murphy saw that everything ran smoothly for the week. Cian O’Neill, Theresa Gorman and Sibhe Sheridan minded the ever popular shop. Tim Gorman and Paddy Nolan were responsible for making it all happen. Thanks to all the coaches and the ever popular Anthony Rainbow for fielding the hard questions and signing autographs. (Parents loads of clothes left after Camp, can be collected in the dressing room)
Results:
The U12 footballers have played five matches in the league, Allenwood, Ellistown and Moorefield at home, Suncroft and Grangenolvan away. All the home matches have been won easily due to some very good team work through-out the field and also good tactics. In the first away match against Suncroft a poor first half performance cost the team the match, while they dominated the second half, soft goals conceded in the first half left a bit too much to make up. An under strength team travelled to the away match against Grangenolvan and against tough odds came out on top by 2 points. (Up coming match away to Monasterevin)
The U12 hurlers have played two matches in their league, Athy at home and Eire Og away. BME were within a couple of points of the winners on each occasion and in hurling a couple of points is nothing. Great credit to the lads that turned up for the matches. BME is grouped with Castledermot, Nurney and Kilcullen and the final play-off will take place in Kilcullen on Sat. 14th July starting at 1:30. The best of luck to the team for the finals.
Coaching motto: Children first. Winning second
Ballymore Eustace GAA Club Juvenile Football & Hurling

The U8 & U10 hurlers took part in another well organised West Wicklow blitz on Saturday 23rd June. The U10’s played 3 matches against St Nicolas (Dunlavin), Blessington and Michael Dwyer’s (Kiltegan). The U8’s played their matches against St Kevin’s (Hollywood) Michael Dwyer’s and Stratford. Ballymore gave a good account of themselves on the day with a strong squad of players. In attendance were Shane Barrett, Tadhg Dooley, Enda Stewart Byrne, Darragh Kelleher, Tony Og Sheridan, Conor Nolan, Conor Lipsett, Niall O Neill, Mark Daly, Pascal Thompson, Ciaran Kelleher, Niall Murphy, Sean Murphy, Tom Carter, John Daly, Aaron Deegan, Kevin Kelleher and making their debut in the Ballymore shirt were the Gilroy boys Conor and Darragh. Many thanks to the Hollywood GAA Club for the great day.
The U10 footballers have been in action playing Grangenolvan, Ballykelly and Nurney with Suncroft and Milltown games postponed due to bad weather. A panel of 25 boys and girls make up this squad and have won all their games to date. The players are very determined and when the put on the BME jersey they all try really hard. (Up coming matches away to Suncroft, Allenwood & Milltown)
U12 Football Team in Ballymore Eustace Back Row: Karl Keogh, Stephen Piggot, Hugo McDermott, Oliver Gough, Shane Murphy, Robbie Boland, Mark Slevin, Jake Meehan, Shane Barrett, Dylan Waters. Front Row: Shane Fitzpatrick, Darragh Kelleher, Craig Byrne, Adam Keogh, Tom Murphy, Declan Davis, Niall O’Neill, Michael Stewart Byrne, Conor Davis
U10 Football team in Ballymore Eustace Back Row: Conor Nolan, Pascal Thompson, Shane Barrett, Adam Murphy, Joe Hayden, Tom McQuirk, Harry Murphy, Ciaran Kelleher, Tony Og Sheridan, Niall O’Neill, Tadgh Dooley, Mark Daly, Enda Stewart Byrne, Patrick Murphy, Zak Kinsella, Robbie Noone. Front Row: Jason Gorman, Kevin Mahon, Tom Carter, Sean Murphy, Evie Carter, Oonagh Deegan, Niall Murphy, Conor Lipsett, Caolan Halpin.
Duck Race will take place on Sun. 29th July; Juveniles return all cards to Stephen Deegan immediately.
Coaching motto: Children first. Winning second
Ballymore Eustace GAA Club Juvenile Football & Hurling

GAA Summer Camp in Ballymore Eustace

Coaching motto: Children first. Winning second

ABits ‘n Bobs with Rose in Spain
Support Carman
With eight weeks spent in Spain and only two remaining, I am accustomed to the heat here; the day begins with a “Will I go for a swim before breakfast or later?” “Should I go for a walk now before it gets too hot?”. “Will I stick with factor 30 sun protection or should I reduce to 20?”…..A far cry from “Should I bring the umbrella, the raincoat or wear a fleece” when I get home…. At least, the Irish weather is predicatably unpredictable, if you know what I mean!

I am so looking forward to the Carman Fair on my return – Morgan and Liam and the Carman Crew have put so much effort in, all they need now is blue skies and a little of our elusive Irish summer. Apart from the historical significance of the Fair, the experience of ‘history living exhibitions’ are invaluable to our children, they will learn more about ancient culture and civilisation here than in any standard history books.

As for music lovers, well, it doesn’t get any better than the line-up offered, does it??? I saw Kíla in Poulaphouca years ago – riveting; as it happens, I also saw Niall Toner at The Fall during his days as “Hank Halfhead and the Rambling Turkeys” and of course, the Whiskey River Boys who performed at the Puca Night Fundraiser. Added to that, there’s Paul Lamb and the King Snakes, The Sick and Indigent Song Club, Pat Martin and Kevin Davenport, the Mojo Rising Band plus a feast of traditional groups – I can’t recall any other festival which offers all day and night music, at such a low admittance fee.

Please get out and support Carman Fair – and, if you and your children get as much enjoyment out of the weekend as you did last year, stick your hand in your pocket and give the lads a few bob towards running costs because it is local children who will benefit most from this fair – when is the last time you took the kids ANYWHERE with such vast entertainment FREE OF CHARGE?
It’s only a tenner in for adults and that gets you the full days music (outside) as well as all the fun of the fair.
If you feel like giving the boys a hand, stewards would be most welcome.





Olé to Tim
With this edition of The Bugle, Tim Hempenstall Ryan has completed three full editions including editorial and advertisements, photographs and captions, layout, accounts, collation and delivery….he is some fella, never mind the fact that he prints The Bell and is news correspondent to the Kildare Voice outside of a full time job and family commitments! Well done, Tim – Bugle Readers, you should pass on your compliments too because he has done a hell of a good job.

Corpus Christi
In Torreveija recently, Julie Ann Byrne and I were walking towards the local church to say a prayer for my Dad, whose anniversary occurred around that date. We hit upon a religious celebration - very similar to our Corpus Christi processions. As Julie Ann correctly guessed, young boys and girls who had just made their First Holy Communion walked in front and threw palm and flowers in the path of the oncoming priest; the parish priest carried the chalice beneath a gold embroidered canopy held by eight men and behind them, came the men, followed bt the local band who marched and played hymns between the stops at appointed alters around the town.. The pride of families hosting the appointed alters was evident, almost like being one of the town hierarchy.

Behind the band, women and children walked and when the procession returned to the church and prayers were finalised, grandparents and family members posed proudly for those all important photographs. The scent of pine hung heavily in the air, creating a strange sweet aroma (before the street cleaners arrived) but it was the sense of pride, the importance of the occasion for family and community that made the event so memorable. I well remember our own Corpus Christi processions – the ribboned baskets that were safely stashed in Mrs Woulfe’s classroom, the Wolfe Tone Brass and Reed Band, up to Monsignor Browne’s and then back to the Church. Statues of the Child of Prague – glued and not - stood outside some houses whilst others hung Corpus Christi flags from upstairs windows.

Being chosen as one of the flower bearers was such an honour, even if it was the year after we made our Communion when the dresses were then too short and cutting the arms of us! There was a wonderful sense of occasion with the parade and a part of me felt sad as I watched the Spanish spectacle that this event has been lost to future generations here in Ballymore Eustace.


Accessible, my ass.......
Flanagan’s Pub in Cabo Roig is a popular spot and the last hostelry on the holiday ‘strip’.
In search of the ‘servicios’, I spotted the ladies and disabled symbols and entered. Two toilet cubicles on the left and a huge wide bathroom lead to the disabled unit at the end of the room where the door sported a notice: “If you need to use this facility, please ask for the key at the bar counter”.
So, having made it to the servicios, one is supposed to do a u-turn, queue at the bar and let the whole area know you need to use the loo……..Travel twice the distance, lose your sense of privacy – accessible, my ass. Methinks we still have a long way to go before we have equal facilities for our ‘disabled’ bodied friends who must, at times, despair at the lack of thought of the ‘able-bodied’ persons who manage said facilities.

Spice Girls unite for World Tour
The Spice Girls are re-uniting for a grand World Tour – whoopee, be still my beating heart. The group, the first ‘girl power’ band to enjoy huge commercial success, more from clever marketing and dressing as slappers than from musical talent, are planning a major tour for their many (?) fans. Graham Norton said it best: “Damn, its a world tour – there’s no escaping it!”


Tantrums in the Dail
After all the hype of the election, I switched on RTE’s ‘Oireachtas Report’ one night, expecting to view the normal (painfully yawnful) synopsis of the day’s discussions in the Dail. Instead, I watched Ceann Comhairle John O Donoghue from Kerry locking horns with Deputy Ring over the legality of appointing Brendan Howlin (Lab) as Leas Ceann Comhairle.

“Leave the house, Deputy Ring!” ordered John O’Donoghue who was having none of Ring’s unscheduled criticisms.
“I will not leave the house!” returned the incensed deputy.
And so it went on, and on, and on……and on. Twice, the Dail proceedings were abandoned for ten minute breaks; however, on resumption, Deputy Ring began voicing his criticisms again and was met, yet again by John O’Donoghue’s “Deputy Ring, I will not ask you again, leave the house!” (But he did keep telling him). “Leave the house, Deputy Ring”. “Deputy Ring, please leave the house…”

Deputy Ring finally left but under vehement protest and warned O’Donoghue “that he will find himself in hot water fairly soon with a vote of no confidence against him”.
Whilst I kept watching the programme for it entertainment value, it was not the most re-assuring performance of our elected representatives in action. One can only hope that when more important national issues are being discussed, the inhouse ‘bitching’ and tantrum-throwing can be set aside. Perhaps it the heat of the cameras that sets them off?