The Presentation Award Event took place last Thursday at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel in Ballynahinch. Around 250 players,parents and guests enjoyed a super evening consisting of a buffet, presentation of awards, viewing of the penalty kick competition, update on coach and player development at the club and finishing with a free ballot for all the players and children who attended with around twenty five great prizes. Special thanks to guests Sara Booth,IFA Womens Domestic Manager, and Seamus Heath, IFA Grassroots Officer who presented awards. A lot of work was put into the Event by Hannah Majury who prepared the slide show presentation and Gerry Kinnear who recorded the penalty kick competition for each of the squads. Photos from the night are on the club website www.ballynahinchyouthfc.co.uk
The Under 13 and Under 15 Girls teams began their League campaign on Saturday when they travelled to Mallusk. The Under 13 team took on Glentoran and were unlucky being defeated by three goals to two. In the opening minutes surging runs by midfielder Cara Murray saw her test the Glentoran keeper with some fierce drives and Ballynahinch were definitely on top. However Glentoran came into the game and went ahead. Five minutes later it was all square when Olivia McDonagh hammered a shot into the net. The second half saw Glentoran put pressure on Ballynahinch with Lauren Perry in goals pulling of some super saves. Midway through the half Glentoran went ahead but with five minutes remaining a short corner found Danielle Connolly who hit her shot into the net. With a draw looking a fair result Glentoran broke and scored the winning goal with two minutes to go. Ballynahinch’s player of the game was Cara Murray. The Under 15 team got off to an excellent start with a five nil victory over Celtic Girls. They were in control of the game from the first whistle to the last whistle playing some great passing football. They went ahead after ten minutes when a shot from Abigail Reid found the top corner. The lead was extended five minutes later when Aine Smyth beat two defenders before shooting low into the corner. The second half saw Ballynahinch apply more pressure on the Celtic Girls defence with Sarah Crompton’s long throws causing all sorts of problems. From one of these throws Abigail Reid scored her second goal. A good passing move involving the busy Stacy Bryce and Aine Smyth saw the ball volleyed into the net by Emma Maxwell. A good all round performance by the team saw Abigail Reid complete her hat-trick with five minutes remaining. Ballynahinch’s player of the game was Stacey Bryce
The Under 12 team played Ridgeway Rovers at the Millbridge last Saturday in a friendly and had a super result winning by four goals to three. The team were quickly out of the blocks and went ahead when Eoin Teggart crossed to the back post and Harry Bell tapped home. Ten minutes later they went two ahead when a super ball over the top by Curtis Ross saw the lively Luke Martin outpace the defence and score. Ballynahinch were playing some delightful football but were caught when Ridgeway broke through the midfield to pull a goal back. Ridgeway went for the equaliser but found Daniel Douglas in goals hard to beat as he pulled off several good saves. A bit of magic from Daniel Hewitt saw him beat two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Back came Ridgeway and they scored again when the Ballynahinch defence failed to clear the ball. As the game entered the final fifteen minutes Eoin Teggart broke through and calmly slotted the ball beyond the Ridgeway keeper. There was still time for one further goal which saw Ridgeway narrow the gap but ballynahinch held on for the win. A super game by both teams played in a good sporting manner. Ballynahinch’s man of the match was Daniel Douglas.
A big thanks to Dawn Murray, parent of Mark Under 14 player, who abseiled down the Europa Hotel, with ease, on Sunday in aid of club funds. Parachute jump next!!!! Photos on the club website.
