It was a year that promised much for Ballynacargy, but, in the end, they were forced to settle for promotion to Division 1 of the All County League as their championship campaign flopped dramatically. Here, Damien Maher reviews their year. With impressive league form under their belts, Ballynacargy entered the 2007 Intermediate Football Championship as one of the leading contenders. However, their season seemed to implode as they lost a seven points lead against Maryland and made a losing start, one from which they simply never recovered. Trying to explain where it all went so horribly wrong for them in a championship that saw them record just one victory (against Milltownpass in their final group game) is nigh impossible. However, while their championship campaign failed to take off, their league form remained consistently good and, in the end, they secured promotion to Division 1 for the first time. Making sense of it all is not easy. Trying to work out how they won all but one of their nine league games, but lost all bar one of their five championship outings will frustrate even their most ardent supporters. However, a new year brings renewed drive and Bal' are sure to be back as determined as ever come this summer. Aside from the efforts of their intermediate footballers, the Ballynacargy club was busy planning major development at Moynihan Park and a hugely successful Lord Mayor Campaign will help fund that ambitious project. For Frank Mescall, who doubled as club chairman and co-trainer with Frank Lynam, it was a busy 2007. But it's the intermediate championship that still irks Ballynacargy folk. It began at Hogan Park, Moate, against Maryland in May. The old rivals of the intermediate grade produced one of the games of the summer and Ballynacargy looked poised for victory when leading by seven points early in the second half. However, they were dealt a blow when wing back, Declan McGuinness was sent off and Maryland swooped for two goals to record a 3-12 to 2-12 victory. The psychological scars were evident when Ballynacargy took on Ballymore in round two, again at Hogan Park. It was a closely fought, intense battle and, in the end, Ballymore called on all their experience to grind out a one-point win (0-13 to 0-12). The match ended in extraordinary circumstances as Ballymore's long serving midfielder, Paddy Martin, was sent off. Round three saw Ballynacargy return to Hogan Park for a meeting with Ballinagore. It was a game Frank Mescall's charges simply had to win. For long spells they were well in the running and, heading into the last 10 minutes, it was anyone's game. However, Ballinagore showed the greater mettle and were two points ahead when the final whistle sounded (0-12 to 0-10). Ballynacargy had their only game of the year in Cusack Park in round four, where they took on Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall. It was a game Bal' fully expected to win, but they reserved their poorest half hour of the year for the occasion. At half time they trailed badly and a much improved second half display failed to rescue them as Finea won by two points, 1-9 to 1-7. Ballynacargy's fifth and final championship outing was against Milltownpass in Castletown-Geoghegan and, in a must win scenario, they produced a solid display to emerge seven-point victors (1-14 to 0-10). Victory was sufficient to ensure Ballynacargy survived a relegation play-off and instead it was Milltownpass who finished bottom of the Division and faced neighbours, St. Mary's Rochfortbridge in a battle for survival. While their championship results were bitterly disappointing, Ballynacargy's league run was in stark contrast. They lost just once (against Maryland in Drumraney) in their best run ever and, entering the final three games, had every opportunity of gaining promotion. They faced Ballymore in a crucial game at Moynihan Park, Ballynacargy, and, after a gritty display, emerged with a three-point victory on a 2-13 to 2-10 scoreline. They recorded another impressive victory over a depleted St. Mary's Rochfortbridge side and then made the short trip to Bunbrosna for a crucial encounter. After a fine performance, Ballynacargy emerged winners on a 3-13 to 1-10 scoreline. Ballynacargy will be hoping that the experience garnered in Division one will stand them in good stead for this year's championship and help them iron out last year's errors. Aside from their on-field exploits, 2007 will be remembered as a great year on the fund-raising front for Ballynacargy GAA Club. They held a Lord Mayor Campaign, the first in the area since 1980, and, after a huge effort by the three candidates, Tom Price, Frank Lynam and Anthony Maher, it was Tom Price who was elected. The three candidates had one simple objective: raise as much money as possible and the winner would be declared the new Lord Mayor. The club benefited to the tune of over 60,000 euro, which will go towards the planned developments at Moynihan Park. Included in the project at the club's grounds are the construction of new dressing rooms, a small gym and general purposes hall, and the development of a new pitch. The club has secured Lotto funding and the year ahead promises to be hectic indeed. Elsewhere, at underage level, Ballynacargy has continued to make real progress. The highlight of the year for them was undoubtedly the performance of the minor footballers in the Division 2 championship final against Athlone, where they lost by just four points on a 3-15 to 4-8 scoreline. However, Ballynacargy were a pivotal part of the St. Patrick's amalgamation team, which won the minor premier championship final for the second successive year, defeating Clann Broanain in the final. Frank Lynam trained the team and players like David Doran, Daniel Keena, Timmy Mescall and Niall Eivers played key roles. Their under 16 footballers managed to reach the championship (Division 2) semi-final, but Castledaly proved too strong. At under 14 and under 12 levels the club made further strides also. And at under eight and 10 levels, Ballynacargy's progress has been eye-catching for the last few years. Aside from their talents on the field, Ballynacargy have shown their skill on stage in recent years with their emergence as a real force in Scor Na nOg. In 2007 they had seven acts in the county semi-final, with one (Eoin Lynam in Recitation) making the final. Victory proved elusive, but there's sure to be another day. This year sees Frank Mescall take charge of the intermediate side once more, with Frank Lynam having stood aside. Mescall led Ballynacargy to junior and intermediate titles back in 2005 and 2006 and will be aiming to repeat that, in what looks a very competitive championship once more. Tubberclair have been relegated to the intermediate ranks and last year's beaten finalists, Shandonagh, could also prove a tough nut to crack. The year ahead is a big one for the Ballynacargy club. They're planning to have their new pitch developed and their building in place by the end of 2008 and would dearly love to be celebrating another intermediate success. Serious improvement is required on last year's championship form, but the potential is there to achieve that. The Ballynacargy team which defeated Milltownpass in their final game of the 2007 intermediate football championship was: Michael Penrose; Bernard Nally, Timmy Mescall, Aidan Scally; Griffen Kearney, Mark Wallace, Declan McGuinness; Liam O'Reilly, Niall Eivers; Gary Wallace, Willie Murtagh, Mark Murphy; Danny Scally, Dwayne Maher, David Doran. Subs used: Jason Wallace, Darragh Keena, Paul McDonnell, Enda Scally. Tweet

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