Ballymore Ladies GFC

Awards Night
The Awards night was held on Saturday 6th March in The Thatch. There was a great attendance by the Ladies team, committee, management and also many supporters. It was an enjoyable night with plenty of dancing despite some unfamiliar tunes! John Hubbard was MC for the night and I think all would agree, he did a great job introducing each award winner. (He may be recruited again for next year!). Congratulations to all the award winners. They were well deserved.

Player of the Year: Stacey Balfe
Throughout the year, Stacey proved to be one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic members of the team. Her sense of fun and fearless attitude were always on hand to lift the team’s spirits through long, cold training sessions (sometimes to the dismay of our management team!). Stacey’s commitment and attendance at training was an example to all. This continued to her performances on the pitch. She was unwavering in the full back line, marking some of the best players our team came up against. Stacey’s dedication and attitude has been further rewarded by being voted captain for 2010.

Young Player of the Year: Teresa Gorman
Despite Teresa’s young age, she is a founding member of the team. Her career began at the tender age of 11 but she has not looked back. She has a fearless attitude and is never fazed when she comes up against bigger, stronger and older opponents. Teresa has had much success with both Ballymore and Eadestown underage, already having a number of championship wins under her belt. The future is definitely bright for this young but experienced player.

Most Improved Player: Louise Burke
Louise Burke has always been a quiet but steady presence on the Ballymore team but this year. Her attitude, dedication and skill has seen her progress into a central, dependable and reliable player. During the last year Louise has played in numerous positions on the pitch. She has accepted these changes without complaint and has used the opportunity to prove her adaptability and talent. We look forward to seeing this continued improvement through 2010 and everyone would do well to remember that no matter where you play Louise is competition!

Club Person of the Year: Jackie Smith
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Jackie who has joined the management team as a selector. We’re sure you’ll keep both Simon and Joe on their toes throughout the year! Jackie has been a steadfast member of the club as player, county board delegate, PRO, and is now vice-chairperson as well as selector for the Ladies team and joint manager of the U/12 girl’s team with Lesley Tutty. She is always on hand to help out within the club through fundraising, representing the club at county board level and cheering on the team at matches.

Jackie has great enthusiasm and efficiency for her work within the club and we are confident that her involvement and relationship with the club will be a long-lasting one.

Special Awards
Special awards were also given to out-going committee members Bid Meade, Jacinta O’Rourke and Sharon O’Donoghue, for their invaluable contribution to the club. They have been involved since the Ladies club was started. A special award was then made to John Hubbard himself for his involvement in team management for the last 3 years, as well as supporting underage teams. He was also one of the founding members of the underage girls’ schools team, which provided many of our mature players with their first experience of football. He will be greatly missed by all team members but will continue to be an avid supporter.

Last Man Standing
Another great effort all round for the Last Man Standing Competition with 156 playing. We managed to get 145 people safely over the first hurdle heading for Week 2, which is a far cry from the usual massacre we experience in Week One. As usual, it is only fair to make a show of a select few who did not get their value for money and never managed to get past week one.

Poor Natasha Graham (Ballymore GAA PRO) bowed out after picking West Ham but fear not, there is still some hope with husband Dave still in with a chance to win the €500. Juvenile GAA players Oonagh Deegan and Amy Horan managed to out smart Paul Murphy who picked Wolves on Mick Horan’s sheet...........but that’s hardly surprising, Paul!!!! Aoife O’Toole managed to keep everyone on her sheet after the first week........a nice surprise for her considering she usually never has ANYONE left at that stage!!! Ballymore Ladies would like to thank everyone involved for your continued support. Best of Luck to those who manage to stay in the competition until the next edition of the Bugle, when we will have another update from Lesley.

Bag Packing
Thanks to all those who helped out and supported the bag-packing in Dunnes Stores in
Blessington on Friday and Saturday, February 26th and 27th.

Training
Training continues every Monday and Wednesday. The Ladies have just finished 6 weeks of aerobics on Mondays in Naas with a noticeable improvement in fitness. Monday and Wednesday training starts at 8pm at the pitch, everyone togged out, ready to train and on the pitch at 8 sharp! The Ladies are also doing a run in Punchestown on Saturday mornings at 10am. The club are looking for new players so if you’re 14 or more (we’ve no max age limit!), please call up to a training session or get in touch with a club member.

Deirdre & Michelle
Ballymore Ladies GFC PROs