No winner of Club Lotto on Sunday last. Numbers drawn were 7, 10, 20 & 21. 7 Match 3 were Kate Donnelly, Liam Mitchell, Laura Finnan, Peter Maguire, Amanda Newman, Timmy Murphy & Finn Newman. Sellers Prize went to Martin Tormey.

We are very grateful for the ongoing support we receive towards our Lotto from Club members and supporters, far and wide, without which we would not be able to run our Club.

Junior Championship Round 4

We travelled to Ballynacaragy on Saturday last to take on St. Joseph’s in Round 4 of the Championship. As a result of been beaten in the previous round, this game was crucial if we were to secure a quarter final place. With only a point separating these sides on the table coming into the game, both sides knew a victory would leave them on top with a game left to play in the group stages.

Given the heavy rain in recent days, Ballynacaragy are to be commended for the condition of their surface and to be able to facilitate two Championship games and this was after a very successful Matt Slevin Memorial tournament held earlier in the day at the same venue.

With so much at stake the first half was understandly a cagey affair. St. Joseph’s made a good start and scored the first point from play. Barry O Mara responded with a excellent score from the right after some great build up play by Ken Conroy to find O Mara in space. St. Joseph’s responded immediately and went ahead after a fine team move.

Matthew Hope replied for Bun when he collected a pass from Mark Donnelly to fire over from distance with a great curling effort. St. Joseph’s upped the ante and hit the next two points to help them assert some control of the game. Bun, as has been evident throughout the year, we’re not going to be rattled and they picked off the next score, Aidan Finnan kicking an excellent free from 40 metres out.

St. Joseph’s then enjoyed a purple patch and two points from play in quick succession helped them to establish a 0:06 to 0:03 lead with five minutes remaining of the half. Bun replied though with two frees from Barry O Mara and Aidan Finnan on the stroke of half time to leave just a point between the sides.

Bun started the second half in a productive fashion. A brilliant turnover in defence led to a sweeping move down the field involving Andy Whitney, Barry O Mara and Finian Newman before he offloaded to Ken Conroy to apply the finish with the left. 

Ronan Scally then ventured forward from corner back to kick an inspirational score off his left to put Bun ahead for the first time in the match. They defended heroically over the next ten minutes and indeed they held St. Joseph’s scoreless for twenty minutes of the second half.

The key score of the game came on the 37th minute mark. O Mara and Conroy combined to set up Luke Kiernan who showed brilliant composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Given there was four defenders in front of him, it made the finish all the more impressive.

This score gave great heart to the Bun team and they turned over their opponents several times to really take a grip on the game. A long ball from Finian Newman was broke by O Mara to the in rushing Kiernan and he again applied the finish to raise a white flag this time on 46 minutes. This was to be Bun’s last score of the game.

While the inevitable fight back from St. Joseph’s came, Bun held firm. Liam Mitchell, in goals, dealt superbly with a number of dangerous balls into the box and his distribution was equally impressive. A point on the 52nd minute brought the arrears to four. In the first minute of injury time, St. Joseph’s pounced on a Bun mistake to score a crucial goal to leave one in it. A late late effort from them curled wide before Brendan Keena sounded the full time whistle.

This was a very important win for Bun and leaves them top of the table going into the final round of games. If they want to remain there, they will need a similar performance against a resolut St. Paul’s side in two weeks time.

Team: Liam Mitchell, Simon Moorehead, Joe Tormey, Ronan Scally, Noel Yourell, Andy Whitney, Matthew Hope, Aidan Finnan, John Kiernan, Luke Kiernan, Ken Conroy, Enda Newman, Mark Donnelly, Barry O Mara & Finian Newman. Subs: Peter Tormey for Mark Donnelly (48 Mins), Fintan Finnan for Finian Newman (52 Mins), Brian Maguire for Enda Newman (59 Mins), Tommy Murphy, Conor Newman, Eoin McGowan, Jonny Nolan, Darragh McCormack, Gavin Lyons, Cian Tighe and Garvan Dolan.

Club Meeting

There will be a meeting on Monday night (26th August) in the Old Dressing Rooms at 8:30pm to organise the Official opening of the Astro Pitch and Playground in October. All club members are welcome to attend.

Westmeath Examiner Awards 2024

We are delighted to have been shortlisted for Club of Year in the Westmeath Examiner Community and Sports Awards 2024. Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate us. We also wish to congratulate all the other nominees in the various categories.

The overall winners will be announced on Thursday 5th September in the Mullingar Park Hotel.

Playground Play Dates 1st Birthday

A great morning was had celebrating the Playground Play Dates 1st Birthday this morning. This group has gone from strength to strength over the last year and has proven to be an invaluable resource to the local community. 

Well done to all who have contributed to the development of this initiative and we look forward to its continued success. 

The Play Dates continues on Friday at 10:30am. Contact Kate on 087 3600994 on Danielle on 086 1256290 if you would like more information.

U8 Go Games Blitz

We were delighted to host a fantastic U8 Blitz on Saturday last in Bunbrosna!!

Our U8s played brilliant games against Ballynacargy, Millmore Gaels and Caulry during a  busy morning in Bun.

Sincere thanks to all the visiting teams, their coaches and supporters for exciting games and a very enjoyable atmosphere! 

Our thanks to our Junior Whistlers for a great job officiating - well done and thanks to Cian G, Cian M, Daniel, Aiden and Oisín. 

Our thanks to all who helped prepare the pitch and facilities, provided refreshments, assisted with traffic and parking, and to all who helped out in any way - we are very grateful. 

A special thanks to Clare Moran for organising teas and  coffees and refreshments and to Eddie and Jimmy for help with parking and stewarding. A special mention to John Tormey for lining out the pitch. 

Finally, a special note of  thanks to David Newman for his fantastic work in helping to organise the Blitz.

Matt Slevin Tournament 

A massive well done to both our boys and girls U10 teams that took part in the annual Matt Slevin tournament in Ballynacargy on Saturday morning. This was a great opportunity to play some really competitive games on a perfect morning for football. 

Many thanks to all of the players and parents who attended. A massive thanks and well done also to Ballynacaragy for the invite for both teams - the tournament was extremely well organised with a parade, national anthem, medals and ice creams for all!

Inny Shamrocks U12

Well done to the Inny Shamrock U12s who played a good competitive game of football against Millmore Gaels on Friday evening. Despite leading at half time they came out just the wrong side of the scoreline at full time. The boys showed great attitude and determination.

Inny Shamrocks U14

Well done to Inny Shamrock U14s who had a good win away to Caulry on Wednesday evening. This was a great performance to mark the end of the league section and we now head for the knock out stages of the championship in the coming weeks.

Inny Shamrocks Minors

Inny Shamrocks Minors travelled to Clonmellon on Thursday 22nd August to take on Delvin St Pauls in Round Four of the minor championship. Unfortunately, despite producing easily their best hour of football this year, Inny Shamrocks hopes of securing a win were dashed by a second half comeback by St Pauls Delvin. The concession of a fortuitous late goal left Inny Shamrocks chasing a deficit and despite having led from the start, ultimately fell to a narrow four point loss. Hard luck but very well done to the lads who produced a performance of real quality and hard work throughout. 

William Medforth continues to develop in his role as goalkeeper with another assured and calm display. In the full back line the commanding Fionn Leslie showed his huge potential and the clever, composed and tough Greg Penrose was again to the fore. At centre back Trian Leslie produced another whole-hearted display, with some great interceptions and intelligent positioning. He was flanked by the determined and tigerish Jack Atkins, who produce another excellent display, and by Andrew McLean O’Hara, whose development as a wing back of note continues at great pace.

James Baird showcased his versatility with an excellent and hard-working display at midfield, where Gordon Medforth again displayed his developing game with another strong and committed performance. Tristan Boyce Jordan was again driving force in the middle of the field, constantly taking the game to the opposition and delivering quality ball into the full forward line. 

In the forwards Oisin Finn gave another good display of clever positioning and well-timed runs. The industrious Conor Scally put in another good shift at wing-forward, working hard up and down the pitch and pulling off excellent blocks, and Ben Forde produced another fluid and hard-working display, popping up all over the pitch to good effect.

In the inside line Cathal Keena and Finn Maher showed their quality throughout but particularly in a blistering first half, with some superbly taken scores and excellent link-up play. Both proved a real threat throughout as this duo formed the focal point of the potent Inny Shamrocks attack.

Congratulations to Delvin / St Paul’s on their win. More details on training and our next game to follow.

Cash for Clobber

Next collection for Cash for Clobber is on Monday 2nd September. If anyone has any clothes to donate to this you can drop it down to the Clothes Bin at the Old Clubhouse.

Condolences

All at Bunbrosna GAA wish to offer our sincere condolences to the Casey family, Mostrim, on the sad passing of Eamonn.

To his sister Ann Griffin, brothers Liam and Sean, sister-in-law Margaret, nieces Jennifer and Martina, nephews Diarmuid, John, Damian, Brendan, James and Terry, relatives and friends, we offer you all our deepest sympathies at this sad time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

📸 of John Kiernan in action on Saturday evening in Ballynacaragy.