Ferbane GAA Club Notes
Senior Football
The Senior footballers made it two wins from two in the league when they had a hard fought 2-8 to 0-8 win over Ballyfore in Ballyfore on Sunday last. Both sides came into this game with the intention of playing hard but fair football and that competitiveness shone through in what was a very enjoyable fixture. An early goal for Ciarán Kenny gave Ferbane the lead, and this lead was to prove crucial as Ballyfore enjoyed a strong fifteen minutes after that. A 1-2 to 0-3 half time lead was just about maintained throughout the second half with no side really gaining the upper hand before a late goal from Daniel Cooney and point from Jonathan Dunican sealed the two points for Ferbane. The full team and scorers was:
Paul Wynne; Joe Butler, Paddy Moore, Liam Browne; John Mollen, Colm Gavin, Gerry Grehan; George Digan, Paddy Connolly (0-2, 0-1f); Paddy Dooley (0-1), Aidan Keenaghan (0-1), Shane Nally (0-1f); Jonathan Dunican (0-1), Declan Killian (0-1), Ciarán Kenny (1-0).
Subs used: Mel Keenaghan (0-1), Declan Cooney (1-0).
Junior Football
Sadly the junior footballers failed to secure their second win in division three of the league when they went down to Killeigh in Ferbane on a 2-5 to 2-14 scoreline on Saturday afternoon. The game coming immediately after the under-21 championship certainly didn’t help, however Ferbane were always second best in this fixture and most players involved will know that they are capable of much better.
The team and scorers was:
Paul Wynne; Alan Kelly, Joe Kenny, John Kenny; Shane Nally, Paddy Dooley, Ronan Cassidy; Gerry O’Malley, Dermot Kenny; Jonathan Dunican, Aidan Keenaghan (1-1), Cormac Flynn; Mel Keenaghan (0-1), Brian Keenaghan, Dermot Daly (1-3).
Subs used: Brian Lowry, Colm Gavin, Ger Murray.
Under 21 Football Championship
The Wheery under 21 footballers had a very disappointing day in Ballycommon on Saturday afternoon when they succumbed to home side St Colemans by twelve points to eight. The Daingean parish side had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half and used it well to burst out of the blocks into an early lead. Wheery did compete well during the second quarter but the damage had been done at that stage and at half time they trailed by 0-9 to 0-4. Wheery failed to get control of the game early in the second half and though they were very much on top by the end, a missed penalty and a couple of other chances denied ensured that time ran out before they had a real chance of snatching a win.
The team that line out was:
Ronan Cassidy; Stephen Wrenn, Conor Lowry, Shane Costello; Leon Fox, Donie Ryan, Brian Grehan; Ciarán McManus, Ciarán Cahill; Kevin Brummell, Barry Harding, Shane Nally; Joe Maher, Jonathan Dunican, Aaron McDonagh.
Subs used: James Nally, George Digan, Damien Egan and Declan Cooney.
Thank You
Everyone at Ferbane GAA would like to give a warm and heartfelt thank you to Joe Carroll, Curraghamore, Kilcormac, wholast week retired from the Rural Social Scheme. In co-ordination with Offaly Local Development, Joe’s work on the scheme involved maintain Ferbane GAA grounds and his hard work and attention was clear to see at all times. Ferbane GAA pitch has a well deserved reputation as one of the best playing surfaces in the county and a lot of this was down to Joe’s effort and commitment. His retirement will be a huge loss to the club, however every single club member would like to say thank you to Joe, and wish him all the best for the future.
Heartfelt thanks also must go out to Belmont hurling club and to Gallen United soccer club, both of which extended the hand of friendship to Ferbane in a very meaningful way this week. Belmont GAA provided replacement jerseys to Ferbane for their trip to Ballyfore where there would otherwise have been a clash, while Gallen United made sure to move their youths fixture so as not to clash with the Wheery under 21 game. Both gestures were very much appreciated by everyone at Ferbane GAA.
Ferbane GAA Defibrillator
The club is in the process of installing a defibrillator box at the GAA grounds in the town, which would normally cost approximately €600. However there is a deal whereby if Ferbane can collect up to 100 old mobile phones, then they can be exchanged for the defibrillator. So now would be a great time to dig into the old drawers at home, root out those prehistoric Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung devices and make them work for the community. Every household has several old phones lurking around the place and if we can get up to 100, the club will be provided with a valuable amenity which may someday make a huge difference to some player. Please do your best to make some contribution to this cause.
Congratulations
Well done to Colin Egan of Belmont on his competitive debut for the Offaly senior hurlers at the weekend, and who marked the occasion with a well taken goal against Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Hopefully this wwill be the start of a long and successful career for Colin in a county jersey.
Membership
Please note that club membership fees are now due for all members. Please make an effort to get your membership paid up as soon as possible.
Fixtures
Weekend fixtures have yet to be finalised, but at the moment it looks as if the senior footballers will be playing on Saturday while the junior footballers may not be on duty until the following midweek. Both management teams will be in touch to confirm.
Lotto
The winning numbers in last Tuesday night’s Lotto draw were 16, 18, 20, and 21, and the bonus number was 1. Shirley McIntyre matched 3 numbers, and the jackpot now rests at 13,600.
