SLIGO-LEITRIM YOUTH&SCHOOLBOYS 
LEAGUE

Date: Saturday, 21st April
Time: 11:00
Venue: Ballygawley
Opponents: Innisfree-Ballygawley Celtic

Having being a full two and a half months since their last game Ballymote did extremely well to maintain sharpness and fitness levels for their final match of the season which they had nothing to play for. Their opponents for looking to win the league on a high on their own pitch. 5 goals, a penalty and 2 red cards provided plenty of excitment although not the desired result.

Evan Brennan being the only absentee from the side today so Conor Ward switched out left and Brendan Mullen filled the void up front. It was clear from the start that this would not be another 7 or 8-1 game that we experienced down in Ballymote against the same opposition as Celtic fought for every ball and gave their opponents a real scare.

However, our usual weakness from corners proved our downfall and the home side found themselves one ahead. Despite a looping shot going wide, Paul Clarke palmed it away and out for a corner. The corner then seemed to dribble through and their striker struck home for 1-0. It was unfortunate on Ballymote who had played well up to now but created very little of note up front. Celtic soon fell further behind as Conor Meehan lost the ball in midfield and the gap at the back was inviting for Ballygawley's onrushing midfielder who calmly slotted home for 2-0.

It was looking like another simple loss for Ballymote until a few players began to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Conor Meehan spurred on by his earlier error breathed new life into the team allowing Jack Gethins to further his runs. Brendan Mullen was set through and as he ran on goals the home side's defender handled the ball. Meehan stepped up and scored from the penalty spot.

The last 15 minutes had been very significant from Ballymote's perspective and Innisfree were scared. Going into the second half the stronger team hope was there that we could win the match. However Daniel Dolphin's sending off turned the game as he stupidly got two yellows for kicking away the ball and dissent. Although the ten battled bravely the 3rd killed them as another corner went through our box and was converted for 3-1, game over. The fourth was the icing on the cake.

However, a very unsavoury incident happened in the last minute of the game with Conor Meehan being given a straight red for an alleged headbutt. Never going near his opponent who also denied the incident had happened the captain was very important and this manager will fight his case to the league administrator.

A decent season for Ballymote u12s, encouragment to be taken from it.

Team: P Clarke, A Nally, G Finn, C Ward, J Gethins (A Clarke), D Dolphin, D McGowan(R Kilcoyne), G Dwyer, C Meehan , C McCann, B Mullen (C Dunleavy)
Final Score: 1-4

Date: Saturday, 3rd February
Time: 11:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park, Ballymote
Opponents: Gurteen Celtic

When I arrived down to the pitch at 10 o clock this morning before the game I said that the match would not be played as the pitch was covered with a white layer of ice and frost. The goalmouth was hard as a rock and dangerous for the players. However, the surprise that the match was on and that the frost had all but disappeared within the space of half an hour was the least that the game produced.

As Gurteen has only ten men also, Ballymote started with ten with Colm McCann on his own up front. Darragh McGowan was out right midfield for the only change from the team who lost last week to Dromore Villa. In the whole half Paul Clarke had hardly a save to make and was virtually a spectator for most of the game. Conor Meehan began the rout when he produced a clever chip to lob over Gurteen's keeper. Colm McCann blasted home for ten yard when he was put through for 2-0 and Conor Meehan's header made it 3 before half time.

During half time there was nothing really to be said. The defence was solid, midfield creative and forwards lively and very few negatives could be picked. All that was asked was that Celtic continue what they were doing and more goals would follow. Conor Ward followed up from his goal last week with a rifle again, Conor Meehan floated in a free kick and Colm McCann met it with a volley which was parried out to Ward who whacked it into the top corner. 4-0 and game over.

Jack Gethins fine mazy run resulted in him being taken down for a penalty and Conor Ward stepped up hoping to build on his converted penalty from last week. However his effort skimmed by the post unluckily. Conor Meehan then did put it in the net when he ran through on goal and although he was tackled several times, manage to keep the ball and when it bounced in front of him he dispatched it at the keepers near post. This was his first hat trick in a Celtic shirt and a fine display from the captain.

It really was a bad day at the office for Gurteen who's only saving grace was a penalty they got. Paul Clarke was unlucky with the effort which was excellently placed leaving the scoreline at 5-1. Darragh McGowan also got on the score sheet with 3 more tap ins, showing a real goal poachers instinct. Although Gurteen were poor, Ballymote were ruthless and the referee summed it up when she asked me what happened to us in Dromore West the weekend before. Had we played this well all season then maybe we would be in the hunt for silverware.

Team: P Clarke, A Nally (R Kilcoyne), G Finn, C Ward, E Brennan, J Gethins (D Dolphin), D McGowan, , G Dwyer , C Meehan (A Clarke), C McCann, B Mullen (C Dunleavy)
Final Score: 8-2

Date: Saturday, 27th January
Time: 11:00
Venue: Templeboy, Dromore West
Opponents: Dromore Villa

After beating Dromore Villa in their previous encounter Celtic would be forgiven to be optimistic about taking 3 points from this match. However, a very poor performance by the visitors ensured that this would not happen and it was a tale of missed chances as Ballymote dominated for large periods but failed to convert their possession into goals.

Conor Meehan was brought into midfield to inject a bit of life into the midfield that looked un-imaginative against Yeats United. Colm McCann pushed up front alongside Daniel Dolphin to provide a bit of pace. Early on these changes provided dividends as they had a host of chances early on. Colm McCann and Jack Gethins combined many times for a couple of efforts and Colm was unlucky to see one of his sail over the bar when he was through on goal. They had about 4 shots on goal before Gary Dwyer broke the deadlock.

Conor Meehan floated in a corner and this went straight into the keepers hands. However he fumbled this and Gary Dwyer picked up the pieces slotting the ball into the empty net. 1-0 and well deserved. After this, Ballymote sat back and the game turned against them. For the equaliser what seemed a simple save for Ballymote goalkeeper Paul Clarke deceived him and squirmed through his arms and over the line. For the next goal it was another long range effort that Clarke palmed into the net, unable to handle the fizzling shot.

The start of the second half was a similar affair. The midfield continually lost the ball and proved unable to help the defence in making up for their mistakes. We lacked the killer punch up front and the third goal effectively ended the contest as Villa dominated. Their goalkeeper came out and scored with a scorching 20 yard volley to glamourise the score and flatter the home side. Conor Meehan was then taken down in the box for 4-2, Conor Ward deservingly converting the spot kick. Little positives to take from this match, Celtic can only learm from their mistakes, and there were many of them.

Team: P Clarke, A Nally, G Finn, C Ward, E Brennan, J Gethins, B Mullen (R Kilcoyne), G Dwyer (A Clarke), C Meehan, C McCann, D Dolphin (C Dunleavy)
Final Score: 2-4

Date: Saturday, 13th January
Time: 11:00
Venue: Oxfield Park, Drumcliffe
Opponents: Yeats United

If we were to have any chance of finishing well up in this league, a good result against Yeats United was imperitive. Both of the sides in action were mid-table so an entertaining, tight affair was expected and did not disappoint. It had been nearly two months since the u12s had a match so they were fired up for it on a cold, wet and blistery day in Drumcliffe.

Yeats didn't offer much in attack in the early moments of the game and Ballymote didn't threaten either with a lot of the battles being won and lost in the centre of the park where Jack Gethins as always excelled. Conor Ward was looking unbeatable at the back and beside him the mercurial Conor Meehan gave the supporters something to watch with shimmy's and his skill. Andrew Nally was proving as tenacious as ever and fought for every ball.

Ballymote took the lead through Conor Meehan after fifteen minutes. After Jack Gethins was taken down the captain stepped up to rifle home a free kick for 1-0. However, this lead did not last soon. Although the Yeats striker looked offside he raced onto a ball which split the centre defence and slotted home past the flat footed Paul Clarke. It was harsh on Clarke, as in the opening half and throughout the game he made several fine saves to keep Celtic in the game.

It was quickly 2-1 as Gary Dwyer was harshly adjudged to have bundled over the yeats player in the box. They made no mistake in dispatching the spot kick to Clarke's right. Colm McCann was then chopped down in the opposing penalty area but the referee somehow missed it and play went on. Coming into half time something needed to be changed and Darragh McGowan was brought on to replace Brendan Mullen. Jack Gethins came straight out of the block and his fine run and pass nearly let Daniel Dolphin in. 

It was all Ballymote in the second half as they pressed for the equaliser. Only for some heroic defending from Conor Ward and Andrew Nally, superb goalkeeping and poor finishing were Celtic still 2-1 down as the home side constantly threatened on the break. The relentless pressure paid off when Gethins shot was sliced by Yeats number 6 for 2-2. Colm McCann hit the side netting in the closing minutes and Yeats number 9 hit straight at Clarke to finish a nail-biting game. 

Team: P Clarke, A Nally, C Meehan, Conor Ward, E Brennan, C McCann, B Mullen (D McGowan), G Dwyer, J Gethins, R Kilcoyne, D Dolphin 
Final Score: 2-2

Date: Saturday, 18th November
Time: 2:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park, Ballymote
Opponents: Dromore Villa

Before we played our match against Innisfree Ballygawley we had an idea that we could be there or thereabouts at the top of the table come the end of the season. After that match, we were seriously brought down to earth. The referee told me that it was my job to pick them back up and he was right. Spirits were low and morale was even lower. A good performance, regardless of the result was needed to save the u12s season, despite only starting. Lucky enough we got both.

In the opening minutes of the game Ballymote were dominant but were restricted to long range efforts from outside the box. Gary Dwyer was leading by example showing great character after not playing up to his high standards last week and formed part of an unstoppable partnership with Jack Gethins in the centre of the park. The injured Conor Meehan played in goals and his presence was surprisingly not missed out field.

Against the run of play Dromore Villa took the lead after fifteen minutes. After seeing an attack break down and having commited too many players forward Celtic were caught out at the back. Conor Ward found himself 4 on 1 and their striker ran past him and he slotted home past the onrushing Conor Meehan. 1-0 down and it was very unfair on Ballymote.

Celtic however, responded quickly. Colm McCann was put through on goals and his fantastic effort smashed off the cross bar with the keeper beat. The keeper wasn't as lucky with Jack Gethins effort as the centre midfielder took the ball from outside the 18 yard box and powered his way through 3 defenders firing beyond Villa's net-minder to draw the sides level. Ballymote kept pressuring the opposition and before half time were in the lead. Colm McCann played a ball into the box and Daniel Dolphin squirmed between defenders before smashing a shot into the roof of the net from six yards, goalkeeper not a hope.

In the second half it was edgy stuff for Ballymote. Still by far the better side Villa nearly equalised when a corner bounced around the box, lucky for Ballymote the opposition were slow to react to the second ball and Conor Meehan collected. After this scare, it was all Ballymote. Jack Gethins made three great runs down the left hand side and some heroic goalkeeping kept him at bay, even tipping one onto the crossbar. Gethins finally got his second in a carbon copy of his other efforts but this time he slid it low into the side netting. Gethins could have had a hat trick but the third was the killer blow for Villa and an excellent game finished 3-1. Ballymote back on track.

Team: C Meehan, A Nally, Conor Ward, G Finn, E Brennan, C McCann, D McGowan (R Kilcoyne), G Dwyer, J Gethins, D Dolphin (C Dunleavy), P Clarke ( B Mullen)
Final Score: 3-1

Date: Saturday, 4th November
Time: 11:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park, Ballymote
Opponents: Innisfree-Ballygawley

At quarter to 11 we had only 8 men, and only for the good nature of the referee did he let us play the game as we were late coming out onto the pitch. It was a disastrous display as we were soundly hammered by Innisfree-Ballygawley. Leading 3-0 at half time they completed their rout with a dominant second half display. Conor Meehan's free kick was about the only highlight of a disgraceful performance.

Team: P Clarke, B Mullen (A Nally), Conor Ward, C Meehan, E Brennan, C McCann, G Dwyer, J Gethins, D Dolphin, C Dunleavy (G Finn), R Kilcoyne
Final Score: 1-6

Date: Saturday, 7th October
Time: 11:00
Venue: Gurteen
Opponents: Gurteen Celtic

Although our two previous results have been expunged as the league takes on a new format, I will leave the reports up here to get an idea of the difference and what it means to the club and myself to be playing in this new group. Gurteen had similar fortunes as ourselves in their matches so this was shaping out to be a fairly even encounter.

Jack Gethins took the initiative to first get his side into the game and hit the side netting with a fine run and shot within the first ten minutes. The game was very even in the first half but chances were few and far in between. It was Gurteen who took the lead against the run of play after twenty minutes. The home side's centre midfielder sent the ball through the middle and our defence was caught out. Paul Clarke was flat footed as the attacker ran at him and had a simple job to make it 1-0.

In the second half it was all Ballymote. Colm McCann and Conor Meehan began to get more into the game and both had a few shots. Colm's snap shot went just wide while Conor saw two long range efforts going wide or saved by the keeper. Celtic's best chance to equalise came from Darragh McGowan when he latched onto Colm McCann's cross, unfortunatley he could not control it and it bounched off his shins into the goalkeeper's path.

They were not to be denied though, as Gary Dwyer took a corner from the right hand side. The ball bounced around with many people taking a swipe at it until Daniel Dolphin stabbed home for 1-1. Ballymote pushed forward in search of a winner and it looked like they might get it when the home side were reduced to ten men. When Jack Gethins went in for a tackle he caught Gurteen's number two who lost the head and began laying thumps into him. His behaviour cost him a straight red but he nearly cost his team the game.

Conor Meehan stepped up to take the free kick and decided he would go himself. He fired a high and powerful shot but the home side's goalkeeper responded with a fabulous save parrying it over the bar. 1-1 was a fair result, considering both of these sides are used to losing 6 and 7 nil.

Team: P Clarke, B Mullen (A Henry), Conor Ward, C Meehan, E Brennan, C McCann, G Dwyer, J Gethins, D Dolphin, D McGowan, R Kilcoyne
Final Score: 1-1

Date: Saturday, 9th September
Time: 11:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park
Opponents: Arrow Harps

Another disastrous game for Ballymote's u-12s which resulted in an embarrassing 8-1 defeat at home to Arrow Harps. Once again Gary Dwyer and Jack Gethins were missing and their absenteeism was extremely noticable throughout the match.

Although many of Ballymote's players were trying hard they could not match Arrow Harps throughout the game for technical ability. By the end of the first half it was 5-0 and just absolutley horrible to watch. Paul Clarke's goals were bombarded and many of the goals resulted in Paul saving shots but the harps players scoring by being first to react.

Daniel Dolphin created the only goal for Ballymote when his fine run down the line created a huge hole in the harps defence and he slotted the ball through for Darragh McGowan to latch onto and score. It made little difference in a humiliating defeat for Celtic, unfortunatley one of many for this team who will struggle all year.

Team: P Clarke, A Henry (C Dunleavy), E Brennan, Conor Ward, C Meehan, B Mullen C McCann, G Murrin, D Dolphin, Charlie Ward, D McGowan

Final Score: 1-8

Date: Saturday, 2nd September
Time: 11:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park
Opponents: Strand Celtic

Ballymote's first league game of the season was a disastrous 5-1 defeat to Strand Celtic. Ballymote, missing key players Jack Gethins and Gary Dwyer struggled for large periods of the game and struggled to get to grips with the lightning quick pace of the Strand attack.

The home side were only two nil down by half time and were playing some good football. Gerry Finn and Conor Ward were repelling many attacks and Andrew Nally was performing well for his first game in a Ballymote celtic shirt. Paul Clarke made many fine saves in goals and for all purposes kept the scoreline down.

However any hopes of Ballymote getting back into the game were dashed in the second half with 2 quick goals that ended the match as a contest. Conor Meehan went on a great run beating 4 or 5 players but his shot was straight at the keeper. When Strand got their fifth goal the game was long out of Ballymote's reach but Conor Meehan's floated free kick which Kieran Tighe latched onto and scored was one point of optimism in a day that didn't bring many more.

Team: P Clarke, A Nally (A Henry), E Brennan, G Finn, Conor Ward, C Meehan, B Mullen (K Tighe), C McCann, G Murrin, D Dolphin (C Ward), Ryan Kilcoyne (C Dunleavy)

Final Score: 1-5

PRE-SEASON

Date: Saturday, 19th August
Time: 11:00
Venue: The Showfields
Opponents: Real Tubber F.C

It was always going to be a tough match. The majority of last years u-12s had stepped up to the u-14s and we had the bare bones of a team. 3 of the 15 who attended the match were ineligible because of age. On the other hand Real Tubber won the league last year and beat us in an end of season friendly 8-2. 

In the first 30 seconds, Tubber had their first of many chances for the evening. A mix up in the Ballymote defence allowed Real's forward to walk straight into the box. His only problem was that he had too much time on the ball and he hit the post when either side of the keeper would have started a rout for his team. Celtic were creating very little up front and although Jack Gethins, Conor Meehan and Conor Ward were working hard, we were missing that little bit of quality in the final third. 

Credit to Ballymote, as they managed to keep the score to 0-0 for the first fifteen minutes against a strong Tubber side. The first inevitable goal was soon coming though. Colm McCann was caught out of position on the left flank and the ball was put over his full back's head. The home side's right midfielder crossed the ball and miscommunication between the defence and goalkeeper meant that Charlie Ward put the ball into his own net.

Before half time Celtic were 3-0 down. The next two were Celtic's fault as well. They allowed the Tubber midfield to waltz around with the ball until their number 15 shot from 15 yards and the ball squirmed under goalkeeper Paul Clarke's hands. For the next goal Clarke could do little about it as he was faced with a one on one and caught flat-footed.

Despite a spirited opening 15 minutes, Ballymote had taken their foot off the pedal and had let Tubber walk all over them. In the second half, Conor Meehan began to get stuck in as did Colm McCann who probably had his best game in a Ballymote Celtic shirt. Graham Murrin was beginning to get more ball up front and only for a lack of support could have had a goal or two. However, the fourth came 5 minutes after the break as another ball over Conor Ward's head resulting in their right midfielder cutting inside and a delicate chip high into the side netting for 4-0.

Alan Clarke was then brought in and his sheer physical presence stifled the home defence. He wasted no time in putting himself about and when put through by Jack Gethins fired the ball low and hard for 4-1. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed by a Tubber fifth which annoyingly resulted from Ballymote's own corner. Eamon Tighe put a respectable look on the scoreline when his chip sailed over the home side's netminder.


All in all it was an excellent performance from Ballymote u-12s. They fought very hard against a league-chasing Tubber side and are destined for a better season than their predescessors last year. 

Team: P Clarke, Charlie Ward (K Tighe), C Meehan. G Finn, Conor Ward, G Dwyer (R Kilcoyne), C McCann, J Gethins, E Tighe, G Murrin (C Dunleavy), D Dolphin (A Clarke)

Final Score: 2-5