Friday Church Services in Ballina: After 10am Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed until 5pm. Prayer of the Church and Benediction at 1.05pm. Why not come along and pray awhile.
Archdiocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Joe Walsh Tours have launched the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2013. This pilgrimage will take place from June 16th to 21st with a full inclusive price of €699. Booking forms for the Pilgrim section are now available from Joe Walsh Tours on 01 2410811. Enquires to Fr. Tom Hearne on 0504 51230
Recently Baptised: We welcome into God’s family, Damien Kanik, Cnoc Ard, son of Marzena and Maciey: David William Kyle, Kincora Close, son of Suzanne and David: who were baptized recently.
First Holy Communion Day: 54 children attending Ballina Primary School will celebrate their First Holy Communion on Sunday next at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Please remember them in your prayers.
Minor football: Congratulations to the Minor footballers who are through to the North Final after a great win over Inane Rovers last Wednesday in Dolla. Ballina 2-13 to Inane Rovers 2-6 – they now play Newport Gaels in the final.
Intermediate Hurling Championship: The intermediate hurlers were out in the second round – group three of the county hurling championship, where they had a brilliant, comprehensive win over Drom & Inch in Dolla last Saturday. Ballina 3-15 to 0-15 on the final whistle of the game. Well done on a great team performance.
Tipperary Draw: The club is very grateful to all who promote and support the Tipperary County Draw. The draw has been a major contributor to our club funds for many years and hopefully will continue to be for many years to come. Having purchased our new field, we are now at the development stage. The completion of this necessitates considerable fund raising efforts. We are very much aware that in the present financial climate that fund raising puts extra pressure on everyone, however, with our ever increasing numbers, the need to complete our development as quickly as possible is of the upmost importance if we are to fulfill our ambitions for the club’s progress into the future. We would therefore very much appreciate your continued support for the Tipperary draw which we will be promoting alongside a number of innovative fund raising schemes including our ‘buy a sod’ scheme. Ballina had five winners last year. Funding for the Tipperary Draw facilitates sustained growth within our community. Long may it continue. Tickets may be bought from your club, or from tippdraw@tipperary.gaa.ie. Your local club Tipperary draw coordinator is Eugene Power. First draw will take place at the end of May.
U16s: Have qualified for the for the North Football Final last Monday evening in Portroe when they earned a hard fought victory over our near neighbours – Burgess. Playing against a strong wind in the first half Ballina got the upper hand and dominated possession for a fifteen minute period when they established a ten point lead with some well taken scores including goals from Conan O’Sullivan and Brian Connolly. Shortly before half time Burgess grabbed a goal to keep in touch and followed up early in the second half with a brace of points to cut Ballina’s lead to five points. Ballina responded with a point from Daniel Joslin but Burgess converted a penalty to put real pressure on Ballina going into the last few minutes. The teams exchanged a further two points but despite coming under intense pressure, the Ballina defense held out to record a three point victory.
U14s: Have enjoyed a great run in the football league, winning three of the four scheduled games, with final match against Templederry to be rescheduled. Semi-finals are expected to take place in the coming week with preparations continuing at regular training sessions Monday 6-45 pm and Saturdays at 1pm. An under 13 hurling challange match against Ahane was held last Sunday. It was a proverbial game of two halves, with great performances in the first half giving Ballina a substantial lead, Ahane staged a determined fightback and took the game with a final score, against a weakened second half Ballina team.
U12s: The u12 boys have been on a bit of an adventure in recent weeks. After two first round losses,things finally turned our way earning the boys a quater final spot in the North Tipp Premier Games. The lads duly overcame Moneygall in the quater final, before accounting comfortably for a fancied Borrisoleigh in the semi-final which earned them a shot at the North Football title. The boys played the final last Saturday in Toomevara with Lorrha providing the opposition. Although the boys finished on the losing side in the final,they bowed out at the very last stage and to an exceptional team.Full credit must go to Lorrha club for the preparation of their boys who were well worth their victory.CLG Beal an Atha congratulate Lorrha on a fine performance. Worthy winners.Although tears were shed at the final whistle, there are many who can be extremely proud of their individual performances over the three games. Joseph Mc Evoy and Corey Ryan literally terroised defences on a regular basis. If Micheal O’Muirchearthaigh had been commenting at these matche,he might ‘Conor Power to Mathew Power, no relation. These boys showed plenty of maturity as they combined over and over again.Tadgh Maguire and Josh Egan were a virtual wall at the back and Robbie Breen and Cian Neill anticipated every single move that was made. Cameron Macauley, Ben Wallace and Jack McEvoy each took the ball on with little regard for their own welfare and won plenty of frees.Luke Kennedy played in goals withgreat credit at times and was understudy to a superb keeper in Neil Webster. Neil was assured and composed always and his craft got his team out of a tight spot on occasions. Leon Kerin Galvin and Sam Loughran both offered that little bit of class around the back line more then once.
