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*Senior Hurling

Training each Monday, Wednesday


Ulster League Ballela v Shamrocks Strabane Saturday 27th March in Ballela at 4.30pm


The Senior team will play the first competitive match of the 2010 season this Sunday 7 March in the Ulster League Division 3. Ballela travel to Derry City to meet Na Magha, their opponents from the 2009 Ulster League Final, at 3pm in the Templemore Sports complex.

'''Sunday 7th March'''
Na Magha 3-12 Ballela 5-5
Ballela Senior Team travelled on Sunday down to Templemore Sports Complex in Derry City. Unfortunately, due to late withdrawals and injuries Ballela could only travel with 14 players with Danny McIlroy giving up Management duties to Martin McCann to make up the 15. The 2hr30min journey took its toll on the players and for the first 20 mins were second to every ball.  Na Magha with a strong wind in their backs pushed this advantage through by leading 2-8 to a goal at half time.  Ballela major coming from the impressive Johnny McCusker.  At half time major shifts were made with Gary McMullan going back into goals as the makeshift keeper couldnt get used to his new helmet(thats what happened Joe Cosgrave also!!). With the wind in their backs Ballela started to find their rythmn with impressive second half performances from everybody particularily Johnny McCusker Noel BurnsJun Kel Magee and Danny Doran finding his feet in midfield. Donal McCann back to his old position in Centre half started making crucial interceptions also. The embankment must be paying off. The other half back Mick Doyle made telling clearances which put the Na Magha backs under pressure. Points from Kel Niall Burns and Noel Jun kept Ballela in the hunt and in between these points Johnny McCusker scored a further 3 goals. Ryan haughey and my "name is Peter" Cosgrave made solid starts in their Ulster League Debuts. Old stager Noel Sen alongside the half fit Wire(capt) kept the rear guard going. Despite scoring an impressive 4-5 in the second half time ran out and Na Magha held hold by a single score to win. Ballela next match is away to Armoy next Saturday at 4.30. Training this week is tuesday and Thursday at 7pm. Final Score Na Magna 3-12 Ballela 5-5.

Ballela next match is at Armoy Glen Rovers on Saturday 13th March.  Players to report to the field at 2pm.

'''Saturday 13th March'''
Match Report
Armory Glen Rovers 7 - 15 Ballela Eire Og 3 - 6
Again due to injuries and work committments Ballela travelled to Armoy with only 14 players and again Danny had to play to make the 15.  Ballela never got going the whole match whereas Armoy had more fluency on the day.  A few soft goals knocked the heart out of the team.  However, it is still early days and with new players starting and old ones returning Ballela can look forward to better days ahead.

Scorers Johnny McCusker 1 - 3 Wire 1- 0 Danny McIlroy 1 -0 Noel Jun 0-2 Kel 0-1 

Next Match Saturday 20th March against Castleblayney.  This is our first home match and players to report to the field for 3.30pm.
Training Monday and Wednesday 7pm.

'''Saturday 20th March''' Unfortunately Castleblayney were unable to field and conceded the points to ourselves.
We would like to welcome Stephen Higgins, Gareth Burns and the Downey Brothers Dan and Mick to the Senior panel.
Our next home match is this Saturday at 4.30pm. Players please report to the field at 3.30pm.  Training continues Mon and Wed at 7.

'''SATURDAY 27TH MARCH'''
Match Report
Ballela Eire Og 4-13 Strabane Shamrocks 2-6
Ballela finally got their Ulster League campaign going and our first home match of the year proved very sucessful indeed.  From the very start Ballela were first to the ball and showed great maturity and discipline in their passing and movements of the ball.  The hard training started to pay off.  The whole team put it a great effort and this was shown on the score.  Impressive performances all round from Paddy at the back holding the forward line at bay.  Ryan,donal and Mick again strong in the half back giving great passes to the forwards.  Sandy Noel Og and especially Mal impressed in the forward line. Scorers Mal Magee 2-8 Sandy 1-0 Wire 1-0 Noel Og 0-3 Joe Cosgrave 0-1 Dan Doran0-1.
The Ulster League continues away to St Endas on April 10th.  We now must bring this form into the Down league which starts away to Warrenpoint on the 7th April at 18.45.
Training continues Mon night at 7 and Saturday at 4pm.

'''DOWN LEAGUE''
7th April
Warrenpoint 0-16 Ballela 2-15
Ballela got their league campaign off to a good start with an impressive away win against an ever improving warrenpoint team.  
Our next match is this saturday 10th April against St Ednas in Glengormley. Throw in 17.15.

'''SATURDAY 10TH APRIL'''
St Edna 3-4 Ballela 2-11
Ballela secured their status in Division 3 of the Ulster League with a hard earned win.  It was a very committed second half display that seen Ballela pull away. Training Monday night 12/04/2010 at 7pm continues.  Danny would like to thank the players for their efforts during the Ulster League Campaign.

'''DOWN LEAGUE
14TH APRIL 
Ballela 3-16 Newry Shamrocks 0-8
Ballela recent run of good results continued with an impressive home display against local rivals Newry.  Ballela played at a high tempo throughout the match and this was reflected in the high number of scores coming from direct play.  We must continue to build on this progress throughout our league campaign.  Training will continue Monday 19th at 7pm.
Ballela have joined the Antrim All County league Division 4b and we have our first competitive outing on Sunday 25th April.  We are away to Davitts of belfast with the throw in at 3pm.