Division 3 v Ballinagore

Our All-County Football League Division 3 promotion hopes were dealt a blow at a sunny but chilly St James’ Park last Saturday evening when Ballinagore came from nine points down to claim the local bragging rights.

A second half comeback propelled last year’s junior champions to a dramatic 2-12 to 3-8 victory after we had led by 3-5 to 0-7 at half-time and by 3-8 to 0-8 10 minutes into the second half. But we conceded an unanswered 2-4 thereafter to lose by the minimum for the second game in-a-row, meaning we must win our remaining games against Ballymore and Shandonagh to have a chance of earning promotion.

Ballinagore kicked the first three points before a Micheál Coffey two-pointer settled us. The visitors regained a three-point advantage before Darragh Coffey steered home Conor Delaney’s shot for an equalising goal in the 16th minute.

A Nigel Scally two-pointer then gave us the lead for the first time, 1-4 to 0-5, before quickfire goals from Paul Fennell and Jack Molloy made it 3-4 to 0-7.

Scally converted frees either side of half-time before further points from Mark Wrafter and Niall Carey looked to have put us out of sight. But it all went horribly wrong after that as a never-say-die Ballinagore stormed back to take the spoils.

Team: Conor Mullins; Martin Ward, James Fox, Mark Wrafter; Joey O’Neill, Shaun Pidgeon, Micheál Coffey; Ray Kennedy, Niall Carey; Paul Fennell, Nigel Scally, Cillian Rochford; Darragh Coffey, Conor Delaney, Jack Molloy. Subs used: Arthur O’Rourke and Davin Egan.

Lotto

Last week’s lucky numbers were 13, 17, 20 and 27. There was no jackpot winner. The Match 3 winner was Becky Scally.

This week’s jackpot is €8,000. Make sure to buy your tickets online or at Centra, Mee's Costcutter and Whelan’s. Tickets are also on sale outside Centra every Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for your continued support.

Race Day

Our Race Day takes place this Friday, May 15 from 4pm.

The social outing at Kilbeggan Races will feature a marquee with live music from Jiggers of Éireann, raffles, best dressed lad and lady, and various other competitions. Last year, we honoured our 2000 men’s intermediate champions and this year it’s the turn of our 2004 and ’05 junior and intermediate ladies football winners. The same team went on to contest the senior final against St Loman’s in 2006.

Leinster final

Best of luck to Westmeath in next Sunday’s Leinster SFC final against Dublin at Croke Park.

We also extend our best wishes to Becky Scally and the Westmeath ladies in their Leinster intermediate final against Wexford in Newbridge on Saturday.