SLIGO-LEITRIM YOUTH&SCHOOLBOYS 
U-14 LEAGUE

Date: Saturday, 13th May
Time: 5:00
Venue: Bee Park
Opponents: Manor Rangers

Going into this game against Manor Rangers it really was make or break. A win would put us level on points with Boyle Celtic, whom we would have to play mid-week for a spot in the play-offs. However we knew Manor would be no push overs having beaten us twice in this campaign. Also missing two key players, Ciaran McGrath and Niall Brennan due to injury and illness respectively didnt spell good for Celtic.

At half time Ballymote found themselves 4 down and it was one of the worst displays by this team all year. With John Tighe and Thomas Perry at the back things should have been solid but the whole team under-performed. Conor Meehan was unlucky to put the first into his own net as it was going in anyways. Sean Kilcoyne's poor goal kick gave Manor the second and a simple ball from the right across the box made it 3-0. At 4 Ballymote looked dead and buried.

The second half was a slightly better affair for Celtic even though they still conceded four. Conor Meehan again put the ball in his own net when Manor's deflected effort hit off him and smacked against the crossbar, still going in. Manor were taking shots for fun and Sean Kilcoyne could do little about the goals that went in. He was beaten by another low effort to the far post and a chip made it 7-0. Joseph Rogers introduction made Ballymote a bit more lively up front and he grabbed one back when he rounded the keeper and finished. Joseph McGuinness kicked wide when it looked easier to score and Brendan Ward had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be blown for offside. A fantastic effort flew over Kilcoyne's head for 8-1 and game over.

Another disastrous performance from Ballymote rightfully ended their season. It would have been injust if we were to come away from this match with something, as based on our performances after christmas, did not merit anything. A poor end to a poor season, look for a season review soon.

Team: S kilcoyne, C Meehan, S Booth (S Wynne), J Tighe, T Perry, C Doherty, M McGrath, J McGuinness (S Lavelle), B Ward, S Healy, E Tighe (J Rogers),
Final Score: 1-8

Date: Wednesday, 27th April
Time: 7:00
Venue: Drumcliffe
Opponents: Yeats United

Apologies for the lack of a proper report, I was unable to attend the match, Ballymote Celtic u14s needed 6 points from their remaining two games to grab a spot in the final four but were unable to achieve that points total after a poor display against Yeats United. Ciaran McGrath was the victim of an injury and unable to start the game so Sean Wynne played as a make shift centre back. McGrath's absence as Celtic found themselves 3 down within 20 minutes and looked dead and buried. However, they gave themselves a fighting chance when Conor Doherty scored a free kick and Niall Brennan grabbed a brace to level the game. However, the damage had been done and 3-3 was not good enough. A sad end to a dissapointing campaign.

Team: S kilcoyne, C Meehan, S Booth, C Doherty, S Wynne, M McGrath, J McGuinness, B Ward, S Healy, E Tighe ( C McGrath), N Brennan
Final Score: 3-3

Date: Thursday, 13th April
Time: 7:00
Venue: Showfields, Tubbercurry
Opponents: Real Tubber

A win over Real Tubber tonight would have put Ballymote Celtic on top and would have went a long way to virtually qualifying for the knock out stages. However we knew the task we were up against knowing Tubber's shock win over Strand Celtic. The scale of the loss was something we had not anticipated as our players sharpness, fitness, interest and quality levels were found extremely wanting.

Celtic never got going and conceded the first in the second minute for a disastrous start. Tubber's quick number 9 ran onto a through ball and slotted home for 1-0. The home side ran the show and the question was how many would they get before half time. It wasn't long before they added a second as no Ballymote player bothered to defend a corner leaving a free header in our box which bounced off Steven Booth on the post and into the net. The third was a spectacular effort by their centre midfielder a full twenty yards out from goals.

Only after this did Ballymote begin to play and Matthew McGrath looked threatening down the left. He fed Niall Brennan whose snap shot went well wide but at least it was a shot on goal. Brendan Ward also had an effort saved but never troubled the keeper.

Although Celtic picked up before the half, they still never looked like getting back into this game. The second half was much of the same although the visitors heads went down and the effort levels disappeared after the goals kept coming in. It became a farce as Tubber notched up 5 more goals and also missed a penalty. We even contributed to this as Conor Doherty scored an own goal. Matthew McGrath very nearly grabbed one back as his shot was pawed off the line by the home side's net minder while Ciaran McGrath's free kick some how didnt go in as Celtic really disappointed.

The game couldn't be over soon enough for Ballymote. A truly shocking performance in which no positives came out of it. Devoid of all effort, commitment, quality and heart players should hang their heads in shame. A top four place looks extremely unlikely.

Team: J Mullen, S Booth, C Meehan, C McGrath, C Doherty, M McGrath, S Healy. N Brennan, B Ward, S Lavelle (S Kilcoyne), Eamon Tighe
Final Score: 0-8

Date: Saturday, 10th March
Time: 2:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park. Ballymote
Opponents: Coolaney United

Ballymote ground out a win against a gritty and determined Coolaney United side who gave the hosts a real scare. A late-arranged fixture saw Ballymote only having 11 men including u-12 Gary Dwyer. Niall Brennan came late but in truth with the team Ballymote had out it should never have been as close as it was.

There was little in it in the first half and although the game was played mostly in the centre of the park Coolaney United's goalkeeper was definitley the busiest. Matthew McGrath had four fantastic efforts and in truth was lucky not to have another hat-trick today. For his third he was put through by striker James Mullen and his snap shot cracked against the post. For the fourth Brendan Ward's perfectly weighted ball found him open on the left and his angled shot to the far post was tipped wide by the visiting net minder. Ciaran McGrath's shot was well dealt with by the keeper but the signs were good although the general play was poor.

Having won two corners in succession it was only luck that Celtic had not scored yet. Finally James Mullen would break down the stubborn United resistance. Conor Doherty flung in a corner and as it bounced around Mullen stabbed home for his first goal of the season. This goal was met with a sense of relief as the visitors had proved dangerous on the break. However Ballymote went into the break with an air of comfort as Brendan Ward, who excelled all game, notched his fourth of the season. Conor Doherty broke out of defence and played a small 5 yard pass to Ward. Ward took it inside and with the top of his boot powerfully struck home for 2-0.

Ballymote's second half display was nothing short of dreadful. Too many players believed more goals would follow and were caught going forward. Conor Meehan's left hand side was exposed and United's right winger cut inside laid off a neat ball and a striker slotted home at the near post for 2-1. With a new found belief Coolaney fought hard, finally gaining a deserved equaliser 15 minutes from time. Conor Doherty had a big clearance blocked down by Coolaney's Raymond Connolly who ran through on goal and finished to goalkeeper Kilcoyne's right hand side. 

The ball was now in Coolaney's court and Ballymote had to raise their game. Fortunatley they did and Conor Meehan's through ball found Matthew McGrath who clincally finished to settle the game at 3-2. Close and lots to think about for Ballymote.

Team: S Kilcoyne, S Booth (S Wynne), C Meehan, C McGrath, C Doherty, M McGrath, S Healy G Dwyer (N Brennan), B Ward, , J Mullen, S Lavelle
Final Score: 3-2

Date: Saturday, 10th February
Time: 2:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park. Ballymote
Opponents: Strand Celtic

It was 3 months since Ballymote last played a competitive match and the visitors today to Brother Walfrid Park were Strand Celtic. Strand had 3 players on the Emerging Talent Connacht side and we knew of the challenge we were about to face. However, we underestimated how good they were and they blew us away with a fantastic performance that Ballymote never got to grips with.

Stephen Healy returned to the Ballymote line up and Matthew McGrath returned to his more familiar left midfield spot where he captained the side. Things didn't start well for Celtic though and after 5 minutes they found themselves one nil down. The back line failed to move out together and the Strand striker found himself cleverly onside running onto a ball and slotting home from close range. 2-0 was not long coming as goalkeeper Sean Kilcoyne was deceived by a good shot that he only managed to get a hand to. Doherty was then harshly deemed to have pushed an opposing striker in the box and they converted the penalty to add to Celtic's woes.

Ballymote learned harsh lessons from the first twenty minutes of this game. During this time they struggled big time to deal with the great pace of the Strand attack and their pinpoint accuracy in distributing the ball to their strikers. However as the game wore on Ballymote came more into it and Ciaran McGrath and Conor Meehan took control at the back and both registered fine performances. In midfield Matthew McGrath and Brendan Ward fought hard to bring the game back to Celtic. Joseph McGuinness should have got a goal back for Ballymote when Matthew McGrath crossed far to the back post. The goalkeeper failed to collect it and McGuinness retrieved it from a tight angle and tried to walk it into the net. He was unlucky but the reality was that Ballymote had not been good enough and Strand were ruthless in front of goal.

The second half was a more tighter affair even though Strand still got another 3 goals. At 5-0 Ballymote showed great resilience to finally get a goal that their performance had merited. Matthew McGrath made a superb run down the left flank and crossed perfectly for Joseph McGuinness to smash home for a consolation goal. Brendan Ward could have made it 5-2 when his effort hit off the goalkeeper's legs.

Ballymote had been comprehensively beaten but no negatives could be taken from the performance. Strand were simply a class above us and Celtic had played to the best of their ability. In fact it was the best performance by Celtic this year and notable games from the captain, Matthew McGrath, Joseph McGuinness, Conor Meehan, Brendan Ward, Niall Brennan and especially Ciaran McGrath were encouraging.

Team: S Kilcoyne, S Booth (S Wynne), C Meehan, C McGrath, C Doherty, M McGrath, S Healy (J Gethins) J McGuinness, B Ward, N Brennan, E Tighe (P Leamy)
Final Score: 1-6

Date: Saturday, 3rd February
Time: 3:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park. Ballymote
Opponents: Arrow Harps

Although this was only a friendly, there is nothing friendly about a match between Ballymote Celtic and Arrow Harps. Most of the lads went to school together and were dying to get one over on each other, especially after Harps drawing first blood in a friendly before the season began. John Tighe and Stephen Healy were the absentees today, Healy being injured and John Tighe away at boxing.

The first half was all Ballymote. Although they went into the break at 1-0 it should have been much more. Niall Brennan was looking extremely dangerous as always up front and Eamon Tighe was lively. Steven Booth combined well with the forwards and between himself and Jack Gethins Celtic were getting a lot of joy down the flanks. Gethins had a great half having already played in the 8-2 u12 victory in the morning and was taken off only due to fatigue.

Brennan had several shots and could have been guilty early on of trying to walk the ball into the net but he did just that 5 minutes before the end of the half. Brendan Ward played the ball out right and Booth knocked it on to Brennan. Niall with his back to goal kicked it around the defender and ran at the goalkeeper, slotting home for 1-0. That was his 18th of the season, a ridiuclous amount of goals at any level. He also could have got up to his 20th with a virtuoso and disciplined performance but was just unlucky.

Harps offered little going forward and Sean Kilcoyne had little saves to make. His new goalkeeper jersey hardly got dirty. Matthew McGrath grabbed his second with a fine volley to continue his fine goal scoring run. Harps, being a quality side managed to grab themselves a life line where a long ball was played over the top and confusion between Ciaran McGrath and Sean Kilcoyne resulted in both hesitating and the opposing striker firing past the keeper for 2-1.

Riverstown scarcely deserved this goal and although the final scoreline flattered Ballymote, anything less would have flattered Harps as they struggled against a physical, pacey and determined Ballymote side. Matthew, sporting his new captains armband, had gotten a new lease of life. He was going past the right back for fun and delivered many teasing and dangerous crosses. His cheeky lob made it 3-1 and game over. His third, the icing on the cake was a carbon copy of his second. From twenty yards he floated it over Harps keeper to complete his hat trick and reward his fabulous performance for what it deserved.

Celtic finally began to show the potential and Riverstown's manager spoke of his complete awe at Ballymote's performance. Finally the belief is there that we will top this group and we are not afriad of anyone. The sky's the limit to what this group can achieve.

Team: S Kilcoyne, S Wynne (P Leamy), C Meehan, C McGrath, M McGrath, J Gethins (J McGuinness), S Booth (S Lavelle), B Ward, C Doherty,  N Brennan, E Tighe
Final Score: 4-1

Date: Saturday, 11th November
Time: 2:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park. Ballymote
Opponents: Glenview Stars

After the terrible performance against Boyle three weeks ago, a match against a Glenview Stars side who were flying low in the league was a welcome confidence booster. However, credit to Stars, despite being well beat they kept their spirits up and enjoyed the game of football, something very difficult to do when the goals fly in, as we knew all about last year.

Niall Brennan grabbed the first of the day when he latched onto Ciaran McGrath's shot and flicked it goalward bound, squirming past the keeper. Brennan scored a fine second with a shot that smacked off the bar and went in after being put through by Eamon Tighe. Matthew McGrath's corner went straight in for the third which was the icing on the cake of a decent first twenty minutes for Celtic and it was clear the match was going to be a non-contest.

Ciaran McGrath grabbed the  fourth before half time as he ran half the pitch, beating 3 or 4 men and when he found himself on the left wing he fired an unstoppable effort high into the far corner of the net. Despite the scoreline Ballymote were still being made to fight hard for the win as they came into the second half complaining of bruises and late tackles.

It was much the same in the second period with Ballymote largely dominant and Glenview adding little in the final third. James Mullen came off his line well a few times to collect the ball but was rarely troubled with a shot. Captain Matthew McGrath added his second after some fine work by left back Conor Meehan who went on a mazy dribble and picked out McGrath with a through ball; the captain no stranger to the back of the net made little mistake dispatching it in the far corner. Brennan soon completed his hat trick to nab a very impressive 16 goals for the season for the Sligo-Leitrim player but Ballymote weren't finished yet.

It was just rewards for Brendan Ward who worked tirlessly all game and fought to the bitter end chasing down lost causes despite the match being long over; to get the final goal. It was probably the pick of the afternoon as when the ball ricocheted off Stephen Lavelle and when it fell to Ward he pulled off a delightfully delicate chip which sailed over the keeper and into the net. 

A good performance from Celtic, but nothing that was unexpected. That win now puts them up to second, a position they must maintain if they are to have any ambitions of winning the league.

Team: S Kilcoyne (J Mullen), B Ward, C Meehan (S Booth), C McGrath, J Tighe, C Doherty (S Lavelle), S Healy, J McGuinness (P Leamy), M McGrath, N Brennan, E Tighe (S Wynne)
Final Score: 7-0

Date: Saturday, 21st October
Time: 2:00
Venue: College pitch, Boyle
Opponents: Boyle Celtic

There was little doubt last week that Manor Rangers were a very strong side and although they deserved their 3 points, they were made to fight very hard and at the end of the 70 minutes they were well aware they had been in a war, and would not look forward to playing Ballymote again. Bouncing back from that defeat against Boyle Celtic, sitting near the bottom of the table was imperitive.

However, events conspired against us. Ciaran McGrath and Joseph McGuinness came late from a gaelic blitz while we started with ten men due to John Tighe's late arrival from work. Struggling to find the pitch, we had no proper time for a warm up and all these incidents led to Ballymote never came out of the blocks.

The ten men that did play from the start worked very hard and with Matthew McGrath a stand-in centre back they were struggling to break us down. A few corners were all they had to show for playing against ten men. John Tighe's appearance shuffled the team back to what it was meant to be but it only seemed to unsettle Celtic. Before the end of the first half Boyle grabbed their first of the afternoon. Ciaran McGrath had ventured forward to support his left winger and got caught out with a long ball down his flank. Their right midfielder cut inside and struck well into the corner, James Mullen not even bothering to dive.

At half time, 1-0 down Ballymote were still in it, but sloppy at the back, un-imaginative in midfield and lifeless up front we deserved it. Going 2-0 up was an inevitability as Boyle scored while being rampant over a poor Ballymote side. The next twenty minutes was a shockingly poor display of football as the visitors could have gotten back into the game had they wanted to and worked hard enough to but they didn't.

Joseph McGuinness's free kick was about the first shot we had on target and this went straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Niall Brennan squirmed through the Boyle defence but was taken too wide and shot straight at the home net-minder and Matthew McGrath's fine effort sailed unluckily over the crossbar for a frustrating evening.

The result was poor, but the manner of the defeat was the more worrying. While the pitch was very cut up not allowing us to play our style of football we can have no excuses for a terrible, lifeless display of football devoid of any inspiration, effort, heart, pride or energy. Every week seems to diminish Ballymote's chances of a top 4 finish and they will need very badly to look themselves in the mirror and consider their priorities.

Team: J Mullen, C Doherty, C McGrath, T Perry, J Tighe, B Ward, S Healy (C Meehan), J McGuinness (S Kilcoyne), M McGrath, N Brennan, E Tighe
Sub Not Used: S Lavelle, S Wynne, S Booth
Final Score: 0-2

Date: Saturday, 14th October
Time: 11:00
Venue: Bee Park, Manorhamilton
Opponents: Manor Rangers

A win against Manor Rangers would have put Ballymote in top spot in the u-14 league but it wasn't as simple as that. Manor had already beaten us 5-3 at home and we knew we were in for a war. However, with Conor Doherty, Conor Meehan, James Mullen and Sean Kilcoyne all absent it meant Ballymote could not field their strongest 11 and who knows how the match would have went if they had been able to.

It was a very lively and close encounter from the referee's whistle and was one that promised many goals as both side's attackers were on top. It was a case of who would score the most goals and Manor drew first blood. With centre backs John Tighe and Ciaran McGrath sucked over to the right hand side a cross came in which Steven Booth, playing in an unfamiliar left back position was caught behind his man and their striker slotted past the static Patrick Leamy for 1-0.

However, Ballymote had looked like scoring goals and some fabulous interplay between Matthew McGrath and Niall Brennan resulted in the equaliser. Brendan Ward played the ball up to Brennan who held it up and waited for the run from McGrath. He slotted the ball just behind their right back and McGrath ran onto it and slotted past the keeper for 1-1. The home side fought back and made it 2-1 with a well taken shot from ten yards which squirmed under Patrick Leamy's hands. This was unfair on Ballymote as they dominated the game and looked dangerous, but Manor's clinical finishing was evident.

The great character of the Celtic side paid off and before half time they turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2. It was to be Brennan, who excelled all game who made it 2-2. It was a simple long ball from John Tighe which evaded both side's midfield and flew over the top to our number 11 who latched onto it and fired past the keeper. McGrath snap-shot nearly made it 3-2 but he fired well over. His next shot was was a rocket which smacked against the post and Eamon Tighe done excellently to guide it home, all be-it with his knee. Tighe nearly added a fourth with a superb shot that just went wide of the post.

Even at half time, we knew the job was not done and we had to defend resolutley to win the game. We didn't do that and just after the start of the second half Rangers equalised. Their superb number 9 made a fool of Steven Booth taking it from the left wing to right inside the box where he skipped past John Tighe and calmly slotted home. Matthew McGrath replied two minutes later in a carbon copy of his first goal with some great 1-2 play with Brennan. The keeper advanced but McGrath's shot left him no chance. Still leading, we were just hanging on. The last fifteen minutes was all Manor. They pushed forward and got 2 great goals, the last a brilliant long range looping effort to nab the points at the death. Brendan Ward's booking told the tale of a frustrating morning for the visitors.

A great game for the neutral, Manor were probably the better side but Ballymote were unlucky not to take a point home. Key absentees may have made the difference as Celtic missed the chance to grab top spot.

Team: P Leamy, S Booth, S Wynne, C McGrath, J Tighe, B Ward, S Healy, J McGuinness, M McGrath, N Brennan, E Tighe
Sub Not Used: Stephen Lavelle
Final Score: 4-5

MID-SEASON FRIENDLY

Date: Saturday, 7th October
Time: 2:00
Venue: Coolaney Community Park
Opponents: Coolaney United

Neither side had a match this weekend so a friendly was organised to give  a couple of lads a chance to show what they could do. In the absence of captain Matthew McGrath Ciaran McGrath stepped in and scored a wonderful goal, while Niall Brennan and Joseph McGuinness grabbed the others in a dramatic 5-4 win over Coolaney United.

It was McGrath who set the tone for the match within the first few minutes as from all of 30 yards his sublime rocket shot cannoned off the crossbar. It was a very dogged game for the first few minutes and there was very little quality on show. Coolaney grabbed the first of 9 goals when their left midfielder passed the ball across the box, Conor Meehan stretched and missed allowing their striker a free shot on goal for 1-0.

Niall Brennan, doing what he does best got his side back into the game with a nice individual goal. He took the ball from the half way line and ran with it along the left wing evading several tackles until finally shooting past the onrushing goalkeeper with his weaker left foot to level the scores.

In the second half it was box to box stuff. When goalkeeper Stephen Lavelle failed to clear the ball from a corner Coolaney made it 2-1 with a simple effort. Brennan pulled Ballymote out of the rut they created for themselves with his second goal. He once again took the ball out on the left wing and cut inside shooting past the bewildered Coolaney net-minder. Joseph McGuinnes gave Celtic their first taste of victory when his cross-cum shot found it's way in the back of the net, an exact replicate of his earlier goal against Boyle.

All credit to Coolaney as their heads did not go down and within 5 eventful minutes they found themselves in the lead. There equaliser arrived when a long ball was played to the far post and United's player put it into the back of the net even though it looked like he palmed it in. They made it 4-3 when Stephen Lavelle was lobbed with a fine free kick.

Ballymote didn't give up though and Eamon Tighe's fine header sent Ciaran McGrath through on goal where he slammed a shot home for 4-4. Brennan's hat trick was the final nail in Coolaney's coffin and a poor but exciting match finished 5-4 to Ballymote.

Team: S Lavelle, C Meehan (J Mullen), S Booth C McGrath, B Ward, S Kilcoyne (P Leamy), J McGuinness, S Healy, C Doherty, N Brennan, E Tighe 
Final Score: 5-4

SLIGO-LEITRIM YOUTH&SCHOOLBOYS 
U-14 LEAGUE

Date: Saturday, 23rd September
Time: 2:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park, Ballymote
Opponents: Cliffoney-Grange United

Knowing a win would put Ballymote in the top two, the visit of Cliffoney Grange was met with great anticipation. Having won their previous two games, three on the trot would give Celtic a great position in the table.

From very early on in the half it was clear that the home side were to dominate the game. However, after missed opportunities from Niall Brennan and Eamon Tighe it looked like Ballymote might need a bit of luck to set them on their way. They got that when Niall Brennan got the benefit of a poor goalkeepers kick out predicting like any good predator it would fall short. He poked it one side of the goalie for 1-0. As a mistake up one end cost a goal so two did one down the other end. The Cliffoney striker ran onto a long ball and although John Tighe had the beating of him he heard goalkeeper James Mullen's call too late and the pair collided allowing the visiting striker a simple tap in.

Heads did not go down and ten minutes from the end of the first half Brendan Ward put the home side 2-1 up. He overlapped Joseph McGuinness and ran onto his pass to stroke it into the far corner for his second goal of the current campaign. Going into half time it was an out of sorts performance from Ballymote but the fact that they were grinding out a win was a good sign.

Niall Brennan capped another fine performance when he grabbed his second of the day and 9th of the season to put the game without doubt. After some good interplay with Matthew McGrath Brennan cut in from an acute angle and shot between the goalkeeper and the near post. Matthew McGrath added a fourth when Ciaran McGrath's free kick found Conor Doherty who squared it to McGrath and slotted home with his weaker right foot.

To complete the rout Joseph McGuinness's fine run down the right wing and shot capped a superb performance by him and a good day at the office for Ballymote Celtic. Niall Brennan had one last chance for his hat trick but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Cliffoney/Grange rarely threatened and the home side's ruthlessness in front of goals was inspiring.

Team: J Mullen, C Meehan (S Kilcoyne), S Wynne (S Booth), C McGrath, J Tighe,  J McGuinness (S Lavelle), M McGrath, B Ward, S Healy (C Doherty), N Brennan, E Tighe (P Leamy)
Final Score: 5-1

Date: Saturday, 16th September
Time: 2:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park, Ballymote
Opponents: Dromore Villa

As said earlier, if Ballymote u-14s were to have a successful season, then this weekend would be a real test. They had already done half the job by beating Ballisodare 2-1 on Thursday and had to complete it by beating Dromore Villa on Saturday. Celtic were boosted by the return to the squad of captain Matthew McGrath and Sean Wynne returned from injury.

There was very little in the game in the first ten minutes. Although Ciaran McGrath pumped the ball forward at every opportunity the Villa back line had bags of pace and gave Niall Brennan little room or space. Matthew McGrath had the first chance of the game when he latched onto a ball from Joseph McGuinness but narrowily shot wide. There was nothing separating the two sides but it was McGrath who put the home side in front. His name sake Ciaran McGrath sent the ball forward across the heads of the Dromore back line and Matthew cut inside and struck first time between the goalkeepers legs. 1-0.

Before half time the prolific Niall Brennan got his sixth goal of the current campaign. It was Ciaran McGrath, who had an exceptional game in all areas of the pitch, who provided the assist. His free kick floated over the top and Niall latched onto it for his first of the afternoon. He took it round the keeper to make it 2-0. Five minutes before the whistle blew Villa's right winger cut inside and fired into the side netting for their best chance of the game.

By half time Ballymote had the match as good as won. Dromore Villa although trying hard created very little and Sean Kilcoyne had hardly a save to make. Their front two were subdued by the superb partnership of Ciaran McGrath and John Tighe who as well as last week against Ballisodare looked unstoppable. The game got a bit dead for twenty minutes in the start of the second half but Niall Brennan put the game beyond any doubt with the third. Brendan Ward played through a perfect through ball which he controlled and shot home.

Conor Meehan's late effort didn't trouble the keeper but showed Celtic's dominance when the full backs were venturing forward taking shots. 6 points from 9 is not bad and Ballymote u-14s look set for a very promising season.

Team: S Kilcoyne, C Meehan, S Booth (S Wynne), C McGrath, J Tighe,  J McGuinness, M McGrath (J Gethins), B Ward (S Lavelle), S Healy, N Brennan (J Mullen), E Tighe
Final Score: 3-0

Date: Thursday, 14th September
Time: 6:30
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park, Ballymote
Opponents: Ballisodare United

After a poor home defeat last Tuesday against Manor Rangers it was to be a crucial 3 days for Ballymote u-14s as Ballisodare visited us ahead of Dromore Villa on Saturday. It was a very tense game and we were missing some key players but got an excellent result.

The game was very dogged from the start. Although the quality of the game was still high, most of the battles were fought in the centre of the park. Lucky for Celtic they had Stephen Healy in the middle who had one of his best games in a green and white shirt and stood head and shoulders above the rest. Chances were few and far in between but Niall Brennan as always looked very lively up front. John Tighe and Ciaran McGrath were mopping up at the back and their partnership looked unstoppable. It was to be Brennan who would grab the first goal as a long ball by goalkeeper James Mullen was flicked on by Joseph Mcguinness. Celtic’s number 11 ran onto this and took it round the keeper for 1-0.

Ballymote definitely deserved this lead and despite only having eleven men were by far the better side. Brennan could have put his side two up in an almost carbon copy chance of his goal when he took it around the keeper but leant back and hit the ball over the bar. Ballisodare had one or two efforts, their left midfielder looked offside but as the referee remained static he took advantage and was unlucky to see his shot hit the side netting. Stephen Healy’s excellent snap shot deserved a goal but went agonizingly wide. Celtic would rue their missed opportunities when Ballisodare grabbed an equaliser just minutes before the end of the first half.

Steven Booth was caught out of position and a long ball was pegged over his head. John Tighe attempted to come across him but their striker evaded the tackle and his shot squirmed through Mullen’s hands. This was unfortunate on both Ballymote and Mullen, who had made several good saves and looked an imposing figure. Another defensive lapse nearly made it 2-1 to Ballisodare when the ball fell to Mullen and in attempting to clear it he hit his own defender and it went out for a corner.

The second half was a similar tight affair with plenty of goalmouth action. Eamon Tighe had several shots and Conor Meehan had a 20 yard effort but were all too close to the keeper. About ten minutes into the second period Brennan grabbed his and Ballymote’s second. After playing a neat two with stand in captain Joseph McGuinness he cut inside and fired a rocket with his weaker left foot for 2-1. Ballymote now had to hang on for 25 minutes. It was a tense half and Sean Kilcoyne could have put the match to bed when he put the ball in the net only to see it ruled off for offside. Some heroic defending from John Tighe who had a brilliant game kept the game safe and it finished 2-1. An entertaining game and a great result.

Team: J Mullen, C Meehan, S Booth, C McGrath, J Tighe, S Kilcoyne, J McGuinness, B Ward, S Healy, N Brennan, E Tighe
Final Score: 2-1

Date: Tuesday, 5th September
Time: 6:30
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park, Ballymote
Opponents: Manor Rangers

Apologies for the lack of a match report I was absent due to working commitments. Joseph Mcguinness scored in the first 30 seconds while Matthew McGrath and Ciaran Mcgrath both scored in a 5-3 defeat.

Team: J Mullen, S Kilcoyne (C Meehan), C McGrath, C Doherty, J Tighe, M McGrath, J McGuinness, B Ward, S Healy (T Perry), N Brennan, E Tighe (S Booth)
Final Score: 3-5

PRE-SEASON

Date: Saturday, 2nd September
Time: 11:00
Venue: Brother Walfrid Park, Ballymote
Opponents: Arrow Harps

Despite having played very well in the last few pre-season friendlies Ballymote u-14s could have done with a win today, especially since it was at home and against our neighbours Arrow Harps. James Mullen started in goals and Joseph McGuinness took a more familiar right midfield position.

The first half was a dour affair really and Ballymote had very few chances to note. The defenders were blindly clearing the ball and the strikers were not seeing much of the ball. Niall Brennan's left footed shot which went tamely wide was the highlight of the first ten minutes. It wasn't too long after this when Arrow Harps took a deserved lead. 

James Mullen took a goal kick which Celtic failed to win and Harps were on the break. With a few nice touches they passed the ball out right taking Sean Wynne out of the game and their left midfielder turned inside and fired past Mullen for 1-0. Stephen Healy had two chances down the far end when he cut inside but shot straight into the side netting. Brendan Ward nearly made it 1-1 when his shot smacked off the cross bar. But Harps were the better side and made it 2-0 when they switched wings and their right winger shot low and hard to Mullen's left.

At half time some harsh words were needed as Ballymote weren't playing anywhere near their ability. Credit to them, as the home side came out a different team. Niall Brennan had 3 or 4 shots and can count himself very unlucky not to have his name on the score sheet. Matthew McGrath was becoming more influential in the game and he saw a great effort sail just over the crossbar. It was a testimont to Celtic's dominance when Ciaran McGrath was venturing forward and taking shots, firing narrowling wide when well placed. It was McGrath again who should have started Ballymote going when a corner broke to him and his powerful shot skimmed the crossbar.

The goal was soon coming. A cross from the right from Joseph McGuinness resulted in a big scramble in the box and Eamon Tighe stabbed home from close range for his first goal of the campaign. However the game was as good as over when a long ball deceived Celtic's defence and the onrushing attacker slotted home past the hesitant Stephen Lavelle, who had just replaced Mullen in goals. Ballymote weren't lying down and another cross from McGuinness resulted in Brendan Ward stroking the ball home for 3-2.

The game was pretty much over at this stage and it was the goals in the first half that done the damage. However, Celtic can take heart from their complete dominance in the second half that with better finishing they could have scored 10.

Team: J Mullen (S Lavelle), C Meehan, (S Kilcoyne) S Wynne (S Booth), D Tonry (J Tighe), C McGrath, S Healy, B Ward, J McGuinness, M McGrath, N Brennan, E Tighe 
Final Score: 2-3

Date: Sunday, 27th August
Time: 11:00
Venue: Merville Community Park
Opponents: Merville United

Although it looked like Ballymote had once again been hammered by Merville United this was hardly the case. A depleted and tired squad once again after yesterday's exploits in Boyle took their course on the players. Niall Brennan got two excellent goals and had two or three other shots which make him look like an exciting player to watch for this year. Eamon Tighe also put in an encouraging display and nearly scored with a few efforts. However, these chances missed were vital as Merville exploited the two u-12 full backs who were shattered after playing the tournament in Grange yesterday. Conor Meehan also played the u14 match the day before and the two lads couldn't be faulted for their efforts. It was a decent display but Ballymote know they have to do better to compete in this league.

Team: S Kilcoyne, C Meehan, C Ward, C Doherty, S Meehan, C McGrath,  J McGuinness, S Healy, B Ward, N Brennan, E Tighe
Final Score: 2-5

Date: Saturday, 26th August
Time: 6:00
Venue: Boyle
Opponents: Boyle Celtic

In a very entertaining pre-season friendly Ballymote put in an excellent performance but managed to come out on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline. Key absentees Matthew Mcgrath, Eamon Tighe, James Mullen and others meant that Celtic had only 11 players which included a tired Conor Meehan and Jack Gethins who played 5 15 minute a side matches in Grange that day.

The first half ended scoreless but had plenty of chances from both ends. Niall Brennan looked very dangerous up front and Brendan Ward was giving him good support. After some excellent link up play with Joseph Mcguinnes, Stephen Healy and Brendan Ward it was Brennan who had the first chance of the day. His left foot drive flashed past the far post agonisingly wide. He was to come closer soon after as his right foot shot was parried by the keeper and cleared by the defender. It was not all Ballymote though as Boyle had their fair share of chances. Constantly the home side kicked balls into the corner, especially over Sean Wynne's head causing all sorts of problems. Their left midfielder nearly opened the scoring when he cut inside and shot put hit the side netting. Sean Kilcoyne did well to save a free kick and Conor Meehan kept the scores level with a superb block off the line when the ball seemed to come off his face.

There was more drama in the second half as the game exploded into life. Two quick goals in succession gave Boyle a hardly deserved lead and Ballymote a mountain to climb. Niall Brennan wasn't lying down and made it 2-1 with ten minutes to spare. Healy played an excellent through ball to Brennan who raced onto it and slotted home past the keeper. Brendan Ward also could have had a goal as he looked to have been taken down for a penalty by the onrushing goalkeeper but had his claims waved away.

At 3-1 the game looked over as their forward who looked to be in an offside position collected the ball from the left hand side and cooly finished past a flat-footed Sean Kilcoyne. Captain for the day Joseph McGuinness was not to give out without a fight though as his cross-cum-shot flew in from the right hand side into the far side of the goals for 3-2. However this was mere consolation as the game finished at that scoreline.

It was another good performance from Ballymote, much improved from two weeks ago against Ballygawley. However, they have still not won a game in pre-season and will hope to get that under  their belts in the next friendly v Merville.

Team: S Kilcoyne, C Meehan, S Wynne, C Doherty, C McGrath, J Gethins S Booth, B Ward, J McGuinness, N Brennan, S Healy
Final Score: 2-3

Date: Saturday, 12th August
Time: 4:00
Venue: Ballygawley Community Pitch
Opponents: Ballygawley/Innisfree

The match against Ballygawley was the first time that this team played soccer together. There was no u-12 team two years ago so a lot of these players have been in their bad year for the last 3 years and expectations weren't too high. We arrived with a big squad, 18 players although a lot were u12 and a very enthusiastic bunch. We were the quickest out of the blocks though.

The back 4 of Brendan Ward, Jack Gethins, Ciaran McGrath and Sean Wynne was looking solid while the wing partnership of Matthew McGrath and Joseph McGuinness was troubling the Ballygawley rearguard. McGrath promised a hat trick before the game and although he failed in this respect, it only took him ten minutes to register a goal. After defending a Celtic attack the home side could only manage to put the ball out for corner. Joseph McGuinness, whose crossing was excellent all day, swung the ball in where it was met by the captain who headed it into the open net. 1-0. 

That goal seemed to settle Ballymote down and they began to play better football. Stephen Healy and Conor Doherty were beginning to work well together in the centre of the park and McGuinness's crosses were causing mayhem in the home defence. Eamon Tighe very nearly made it 2-0 with a superb header from an inviting ball from the right wing. Towards the end of the second half Tighe had another opportunity, despite looking offside he raced onto a through ball and unleashed an unstoppable shot, only to see it go agonisingly wide. Going into half time it was impossible to believe Ballymote were only one up.

James Mullen was brought on at half time to replace Steven Booth, who struggled against the very physical home sides centre defence. This was the first of 7 subsitutions made in the second half which disrupted the rhytem of Celtic's play. Matthew McGrath was looking increasingly threatening down the left hand side and came very close with another header and a shot. It was to be Conor Doherty who would increase the score-line. After a neat exchange of passes with a Joseph McGuinness, he slipped inside the penalty box, evaded two tackles and fired into the far corner for 2-0. Ironically, this was Doherty's first ever soccer match. 

Things went downhill from here though. In goals Conor Meehan had done well all evening saving anything that was asked of him. However he could do nothing about the home sides first goal. Ballygawley's right winger, began to expose Celtic's left hand side and fired a rocket into the top of the net above Meehan's head. Now 2-1, the visitors were struggling for fitness and the subsitutes were struggling to get to grips with the pace of the game. Joseph McGuinness almost got a third with a rasping shot which stung the goalkeepers hands but that was to be Celtic's last opportunity. Some last-gasp tackles from Ciaran McGrath were all that was stopping Ballygawley equalising but even he could only watch as their centre forward tore through the box and fired home for 2-2. 

As the final whistle blew Ballymote were the happier side, surprisingly as they looked good for 4 or 5 in the opening twenty minutes. However it will took a bit of time for these players to gel as a team and for some to get used to positions they have not played in before. A good work out for all concerned.

Team: C Meehan, S Wynne (G Dwyer), J Gethins (C Ward), C McGrath, B Ward (P Leamy), J McGuinness (S Kilcoyne), M McGrath, S Healy (C McCann), C Doherty (D Tonry), E Tighe (D Dolphin), S Booth (J Mullen) 

Final Score: 2-2