*Ballylough Minors maintained their excellent 'post exam break' form with six wins from six games to consolidate a top three finish in the All County League in their maiden season at this level. A brilliant wind assisted first half showing laid the foundations for a superb win away to Kilcoo. The Loch also edged the second half by two points to claim the win. Match report elsewhere. Final league game is at home to Warrenpoint. 

 

*The minors won the Cameron McEvoy Memorial Shield on Saturday in Dromara. Due to numerous players unavailable through work and holidays the lads played the group stages with only six players but were bolstered by the arrival of Morgan And Damian who called in on way back from County duty.  The lads defeated Longstone in a high scoring final. Well done Jimmy and the lads. 

*The draw for the All County Minor Championship was made last Wednesday and Ballylough are in Group A along with Bryansford, Kilcoo and Warrenpoint. The first game is away to Bryansford on Tuesday 31st July followed by Warrenpoint at home on Tuesday 7th August and the final game is away to Kilcoo on Tuesday 14th August. This will be the Loch's second season involved in this competition.

 

*Our U10.5s made the short journey out to our near neighbours Kilcoo for their annual Owen McEvoy Memorial Tournament.

We were in Group A with Ballinderry Shamrocks from Derry, Killeavy from Armagh and Clonduff from South Down. 

 

In the first game we played out a very exciting game against Ballinderry in which both teams were evenly matched throughout. The Derry side edging the game 2-2(8) to 1-4(7). 

 

In the second game it was straight back on the field to play the eventual Cup winners Clonduff. With no subs to call on the yellows proved too strong and won comfortably 3-3 to 0-0. 

 

In the final game we play Killeavy and despite an even game the Killeavy side we're just that bit more clinical with their chances. The Armagh side won 1-04 to 0-2.

 

Little did we know that we had played both Cup finalists and the eventual shield winners.

 

We progressed to the Shield quarter finals where we met the hosts Kilcoo. The hard group games probably give us a higher tempo and we were able to take that into the game. The Fin lead 1-02 to 0-1 at half time and Kilcoo responded well in the second half to get a goal back but a wonder goal from Brogan Clarke helped secure a 2-3 to 1-1 win. 

 

In the semi finals the confidence levels were up and we easily accounted for Clan Eireann from Armagh 1-04 to 0-1 with a superb team performance. 

 

This set up a Shield final against Ballinderry who beat us by a point in the group stage. Ballinderry has accounted for Attical and RGU enroute to the final. The Derry side led 1-1 to no score at half time and went 1-2 ahead in the second half before the Fin scored 1-1 to make it a one point game. But a strong finish from Ballinderry saw them score two goals and a point to win 3-3 to 1-1 and lift the Shield. 

 

It was a brilliant experience for our lads and it will stand to them going forward to the Attical Tournament in three weeks time. 

 

Team: R Quinn, J Lenaghan, R Croskery, O Murray, C O'Hare, C Flanagan, D Brennan, D Steele, M Murphy, B Clarke, Shea Boden Hall.

 

*Aughlisnafin U16s were short in numbers but not in spirit for the trip to Downpatrick to face RGU. With nine players unavailable for varying reasons only 15 players travelled to fulfil the fixture. A superb first half performance saw the Fin lead by four points at half time before RGU rallied after the break to win the game. With no subs and the very warm conditions our lads found it heavy going but played to the whistle. Final score RGU 7-6 Aughlisnafin 2-13. Scorers were Aaran Flanagan 1-3, Odhran Maguire 1-1, Morgan Croskery 0-4, Damian McMullan 0-4, Peter O'Hare 0-1. Next game is at away to Castlewellan on Thursday 19th July.

 

*No fixtures this week due to the holidays. 

 

*The Kellogs Cúl Camp will be held at Pairc Baile Anna next Monday 16th to Friday 20th July. It will run from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm each day. 

 

*Lotto 8, 10, 11, 28. No Winners. Jackpot £3,525.

*Our seniors were heavily depleted for the match away to St Pauls and despite a superb second half fight back they lost 1-21 to 3-10.

 

*Our U12's defeated neighbours St Johns 2-7 to 0-4 in a tight contest which was end to end throughout.

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