A Sligo-Leitrim Blitz was held in the Showgrounds Astro-Turf on Sunday, 14th of July to find a Sligo/Leitrim Representative team to play in further rounds of the cup and eventually go on to play the finals in Lyon, France. Ballymote weren't thinking that far ahead but were looking to introduce some younger lads into playing football and allowing them to get a feeling of the match day experience. It was a brilliant and very enjoyable day out with some good football played along the way.

Ballymote's first outing was against a decent Merville United team. Jack Gethins, Conor Meehan, Conor Ward, Gary Dwyer and Colm McCann made up the experienced players while a lot of the boys were playing their first competitive match. This was a game that Celtic never looked like winning and were very poor throughout. However this was to be expected as it was their first match together.

Despite not playing high quality football Ballymote were working hard and stifling Merville at all opportunities. Joe Cobbe was terrorising the opposing defence while Gerry Finn was performing admirably at the back for Celtic. However the game saw it's first goal when the ball bounced up in the air and Brendan Mullen tried to control it with his hand. Penalty and it was 1-0. Ballymote tried to pick themselves up but found themselves 2-0 down in a matter of minutes. Conor Ward managed to save a shot with his feet but the Merville player blasted it across the box and the striker standing on the goalline tapped it in. 2-0 and not getting any better for Ballymote.

They had very little if any chances and didn't deserve anything from the game. However the finishing scoreline was a bit harsh as Merville proceeded to get 2 more penalties. Jack Gethins looked to have fairly won the ball in a tackle but was somehow adjudged to have fouled and gave away a penalty. Lucky for Celtic, Merville missed and it remained 2-0. Next, it was Conor Meehans turn to give away a penalty. When the ball seemed to hit his chest the referee harshly deemed it to have hit his hand. 3-0, and Ballymote heads were down. The fourth, an unstoppable volley was the end. A good learning curve for the players, and some food for thought for the next two matches.

Team: C Ward, G Finn, C Meehan, B Mullen (K Tighe), C McCann, D Dolphin, (R Kilcoyne) J Gethins, G Dwyer, J Cobbe (E McGuiness)
Subs not used: C Dunleavy, D Donnellan, D McGowan 

Time: 11:00
Opponents: Ballisodare United

The performance against Ballisodare was a much improved one from that against Merville. Joe Cobbe was put in goals instead of Conor Ward who had been uncomfortable there. Ward formed an unbreachable defence along with Gerry Finn and Conor Meehan and which didn't concede a goal after this.

From our friendly earlier on in the year we knew Ballisodare were a strong outfit. We created little up front but were very difficult to break down. The defence was like a rock and the midfield provided more cover. Jack Gethins came into the game slightly more and began to exert his influence. 

There wasn't too many talking points in this game and less Ballymote chances. Joe Cobbe proved an excellent goalkeeper and dealy admirably with anything that came his way. A shot from 15 yards squirmed through defender Conor Meehan's legs and Cobbe done well to get down and collect it considering he saw it late. Towards the end a fierce drive from the ballisodare left winger just scraped off the crossbar and Celtic were very fortunate to have ended the match 0-0. It was a very competent and assured performance from a team that matured throughout the tournament. Also we took pride in the fact that Ballisodare made it to the final and beat all the other teams in our group, including Merville.

Team: Joe Cobbe, C Ward, G Finn (C Dunleavy), C Meehan, C McCann, K Tighe (D Donnellan), J Gethins, G Dwyer, D Dolphin (D McGowan)
Unused Subsitutes: R Kilcoyne, E McGuinness, B Mullen

Time: 12:00
Opponents: Innisfree Celtic

Having defeated them in the cup we knew that Innisfree were a team we were well able to defeat and could end the tournament on a winning note. Gary Dwyer fell back into defence allowing Conor Meehan to take on a more natural position in centre midfield. He was the catalyst for every attack and generally ran the show in a superb performance.

Innisfree battled hard throughout the game but were outclassed by Gethins and Meehan who formed a lethal partnership. Gethins got the first of his hat-trick early on in the game when he drifted left after a great run and fired a long range effort into the back of the net. It was however to be a long time until Ballymote got another goal. There was little getting past Conor Ward and Gary Dwyer in defence but one third of the defence was cyncially taken out in what was a terrible tackle. Gerry Finn latched onto a loose ball from an Innisfree player and skipped past two players. However the third was not letting him past and he flew in with a tackle getting nothing of the ball. Finn had to come off after being severly winded.

The second came soon after this. Meehan danced around in the centre of the park and fed the ball to Gethins. He beat two defenders and struck the ball cleanly off his favoured left foot into the back of the net. It was a similar goal to his first but from a more central position. Next it was Colm McCann's turn to get in on in the action. When again fed by Meehan who had an excellent game, he ran down the wing and struck a low hard shot. The keeper was unlucky to see it slip through his legs and Ballymote were cruising at 3-0. 4-0 was a bit harsh on innisfree but it was a testimont to Celtic's complete dominance in centre midfield. Jack Gethins again went on a great run through the heart of the Innisfree team. He looked like he had taken too much out of the ball but just tapped the ball to the left hand side of the onrushing keeper. It was a brilliant and deserved hat-trick. Conor Meehan was unlucky not to have got on the score sheet, he had three shots, two flashing wide and then hit the crossbar.

Ballymote gradually improved as the tournament went on and were a force to be reckoned with by the end. A better game against Merville and we could have been in the final. A good experience for all involved and an enjoyable day out.

Team: Joe Cobbe, C Ward, G Finn (K Tighe [C Dunleavy]), G Dwyer, C Meehan, C McCann, B Mullen (D McGowan), J Gethins,  D Dolphin (E McGuinness)
Unused Subsitutes: R Kilcoyne, D Donnellan