IFC v Ballymore

We maintained our unbeaten run in Section B of the Shay Murtagh Intermediate Football Championship with a 1-9 to 0-12 draw with Ballymore in Round 3 at Tang last Saturday evening.

While disappointed to concede an equalising free with the last kick of the game and also frustrated with the amount of injury-time played, this was another hugely spirited performance which keeps us on course for a quarter-final spot with five points from a possible six. It also assures us of our intermediate status for 2025 which, let's not forget, was the main aim after coming up from junior last year.

Switched from Moate to form part of a double-header with the Milltown v Castledaly Section A clash, this game was keenly-contested throughout with no quarter asked or given throughout. Ballymore dominated the early exchanges to lead by 0-6 to 0-1 after 17 minutes before adding just a single point in 30 minutes as a Nigel Scally-inspired Kilbeggan took over. The full forward scored 1-6 in a man of the match performance, with 1-4 of that coming from play.

But despite Scally’s brilliance and other notable contributions from goalkeeper Niall Rabbitte – who has yet to concede a goal in this year’s championship – Josh Malone and Padraig Carton, we were unable to put Ballymore away and had to settle for a share of the spoils after they converted two close-in frees in injury-time.

After closing the gap to three points at half-time, 0-4 to 0-7, we took the lead for the first time in the third quarter when a brace of Scally points from play were followed by a goal from the same player after substitute Colm Heffernan had brilliantly fielded Shaun Pidgeon’s high ball into the danger area. 

Micheál Coffey followed up with a point to put us two clear before Niall Rabbitte kept us in front with a fantastic double save from Owen McCabe and Ivan Smyth. Sam Maxwell replied with a free for Ballymore before a huge Scally free from the 45-metre line restored our two-point lead at a time when we were down to 14 players.

But Ballymore fought back to level and the focus now switches to our next game against St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge on the weekend after next, which is effectively a preliminary quarter-final. Our final group match is against Multyfarnham who currently lead the way with three wins from three.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish James Hanlon a speedy recovery from the knee injury he sustained in the first half last Saturday and hope to see him back in action soon.

Team: Niall Rabbitte; Martin Ward, James Fox, Josh Malone; Conor Carroll, James Hanlon, Mark Wrafter; Darragh Coffey, Joey O’Neill; Shaun Pidgeon, Padraig Carton, Micheál Coffey (0-1); James Finnegan, Nigel Scally (1-6, 1f, 1 mark), Conor Delaney (0-2, 0-1f). Subs: Colin Draper for Hanlon (22 min, injured), Colm Heffernan for O’Neill (40 min), Cathal Finn for Finnegan (59 min).

U10 Blitz

We were delighted to host an U8 and U10 Boys Go Games Blitz last Saturday morning where there were some great skills on show.

Afterwards, players from the four competing clubs – Tubberclair, Multyfarnham, St Paul’s and Kilbeggan – were treated to ice-cream from Lavita Ice-Cream.

Lotto

Last week’s lucky numbers were 3, 5, 9 and 24. There was no jackpot winner; the Match 3 winners were Ruth Fitzpatrick, Joe Martin and TP O’Gorman. 

This week’s jackpot is €9,850. Don’t forget our new lotto box in Centra Kilbeggan which allows you to enter our weekly draw by filling in a lotto ticket and dropping it into the box. Draw takes place every Tuesday afternoon.
  

Last chance to win Coldplay tickets!
 
We have two corporate tickets to give away to see Coldplay in Croke Park on Sunday, September 1.  

Tickets for the raffle are available to purchase on our ClubZap App or from any club member at a cost of €5 for one or €10 for three. Closing date is next Monday, August 19, with the draw taking place on Friday, August 23. Thanks to Ronan McCarthy for allowing us to sell tickets outside Centra Kilbeggan which was a popular stopping off spot for many heading to the Tullamore Show last Sunday.

The Coldplay tickets are kindly sponsored by Martin and Sharon Dowdall, while printing is sponsored by Midland Cladding.

Sympathy

Deepest sympathy is extended to the Craig family, St Beccan’s Terrace on the passing of Jenny last Thursday, August 8.

We also send our condolences to the McMahon family, Tonaphort, on Mike’s recent passing. May Jenny and Mike rest in peace.