Ballyhar Dynamos

Good Luck to all the Ballyhar Dynamos families going through Exams for the next 2 weeks 🫣 We're sure they will all do just fine 👨‍🎓👩🏼‍🎓

There was No Jackpot Winner in our draw last night, so congratulations to our 5 x €25 winners. Our next draw for €2,500 will take place Henderson's Bar Firies on Sun June 14th. Thanks to everyone who supports & helps with our club lotto.

U14 Girls Eve O'Callaghan Shield Final
Ballyhar Dynamos 4-1 Fenit

Ballyhar hosted premier division opposition in Fenit Samphires in the final of the Eve O'Callaghan Shield on Thursday evening.

A cagey opening saw Ballyhar create some half chances. The Fenit keeper was tested early and made some fine saves with Mollie O'Connor going close on a few occasions. The deadlock was broken against the run of play, when the dangerous Fenit no.10 broke down the right flank and powered an unstoppable shot into the Ballyhar net. 0-1
The Ballyhar defence learned from this and deployed a man marking job to limit any further chances. Huge credit to Feile Dower for the amazing job she did to neutralise this threat. Her sacrifice and dedication to the plan was a massive factor in the end result. The Ballyhar back four were so solid as they shadowed and tackled at the right times with Aoibhinn Daly sweeping up all danger. Ballyhar responded well and within minutes equalised when a Niamh O'Sullivan shot from the left corner of the box rebounded off the crossbar and found Anna Kate Daly who slotted home a tap in to level the game. 1-1
In midfield captain Emma O'Callaghan gave a standout performance just days after taking a protective boot off for a fractured foot. Her pressure and energy drove the team forward and was inspirational. She gave a truly immense example of leadership in this game.
H/T 1-1

In the second half Mollie O'Connor continued to cause havoc in the Fenit defence and eventually was rewarded when she was taken down in the box and won a penalty. Niamh O'Sullivan stepped up and buried the ball into the bottom left corner to give Ballyhar the lead.
2-1 The Ballyhar defence repelled the ensuing attacks and worked really well to marshall the Fenit forwards who were pushing hard for an equaliser. As the midfield battle swung in Ballyhar’s favour, more chances were created and finally after several chances Mollie O'Connor broke through the middle, latched onto a long ball and shot high as the Fenit keeper advanced. The keeper could only get finger tips to the ball and it continued over her head and into the net. 3-1 Ballyhar. The final goal was from captain Emma O'Callaghan who reacted well to a fast throw on the right side and shot low and hard into the bottom corner to cap off a great team performance from the Ballyhar girls. F/T 4-1

The girls dug deep in this game and showed what they can do with hard work, nice passing, and solid defending giving the foundation for the win. Ballyhar were deserving winners in the end and we would like to thank Fenit for a sporting and competitive game.

The referee chose Niamh O'Sullivan as player of the match and she deserved it, however, each and every girl gave a near perfect performance and any one of them could have been chosen.
We are so proud of their performance. Well done girls.

U13 Boys Division 1
Ballyhar Dynamos 1
Di**le Bay Rovers 3
The Division 1 Title came down to a very nervous finish on Saturday morning in Murt Scott Park.
Both sides tested each other from the start but it was Di**le who took the lead with a well worked goal. Ballyhar grew into the game more and started to settle playing with more belief. They got their just rewards from a long ball pumped forward by Gavin Sheehan, with Tadgh Fitzgerald latching onto it and putting it beyond the oncoming Di**le keeper.
But unfortunately just before half time Di**le took the lead again, turninh the game into a real battle especially in midfield where Aidan Barry, Bryan Evans, Jack Cooper and Fabian Mrotek dug in deep and gave everything. They went in at the break 1 down. HT 1- 2

The second half saw Ballyhar play with more rhythm, with Jack Sheehy finding space on the left and Marcus O'Sullivan and Paddy Hurley solid going forward.
We shuffled the pack a bit in the second half with Luke Barry and Micheál Griffin were introduced and played very well.
Dermot Nealon had a header go close from a Dara O'Flaherty corner who was putting in some beautiful balls into the Di**le box but unfortunately we couldn't get a vital goal.
Late on Di**le scored a third goal to finish any hopes of Ballyhar taking the title.
A 3-1 loss in the end but absolutely no shame in second place in what is a very competitive league. Congratulations to Di**le on a great season and keeping up this title race to the last kick. F/T 1-3

This team have had a great season and have a bright future ahead with these group of dedicated players and better days ahead.
Thanks to all the parents who supported us throughout this long season, your encouragement has been so welcome.
Enjoy the break and we look forward to next season. Dan, James, Anthony & Owen.

Ladies House of Upholstery shield semi final
Kenmare 5- 2 Ballyhar Dynamos

Our social soccer team ventured into the world of full on competitive soccer when they travelled to play a very stylish Kenmare.

The home side got off to a strong start and pulled into a 3-0 lead in the early stages but the Ballyhar team fought back with some good play and huge work rate. Miriam Reidy pulled one back with a powerful shot that rattled the back of the net. This was followed up with another when Jenny McCarthy, who was making her long awaited return, slotted a shot into the bottom corner following a lovely passing movement.

Ballyhar were in the ascendency for the early stages of the second half when good chances fell to Gillian Hickey and Jenny McCarthy only for the Kenmare keeper to deny certain goals.

Kenmare then grabbed 2 goals late on to finish any hope of a comeback, however, the Ballyhar ladies fought to the end and gave a great account of themselves representing the club with pride. F/T 5-2

A Special word of thanks to Kenmare for the hospitality, tea and sandwiches after the game which was much appreciated.

Wishing our U14 Girls the very best of luck in their Shield Final. Let's make Home advantage count and turn out to support the Girls ⚽️🥳

Best of luck to our U13 A Team, who travel to enemy territory on Thursday evening to take on rivals Mastergeeha in the Trophy Final.
Best of luck lads 💪😉⚽️

U14 Girls Shield Semi-Final
Ballyhar Dynamos 4-1 LB Rovers

Our U14 Girls had an evening kickoff last Friday when they welcomed LB Rovers in search of a place in the shield final.

Ballyhar got off to a fast start with Niamh O'Sullivan finding the net after just 7 mins, when a through ball from Feile Dower made its way to her and Niamh’s low shot found the net.
On 13 mins, Mollie O'Connor played Niamh in again with a fabulous assist and Niamh finishing to make it 2-0. The strong start continued on 17min as Mollie O'Connor reacted well to a misplaced backpass as a result of good pressure by Aoibheann Pavlovic.
3-0 to Ballyhar.
In goal Anna Fitzgerald made a number of saves but never looked under threat, as Aoibhinn Daly and Emily O'Callaghan swept up any LB attacks. On the right, Faye O'Brien was also very solid. Anna Kate Daly on the right wing was a calm and classy presence, playing everything forward. While in the middle, Ciara McCarthy and Maisy O'Sullivan worked hard to break up LB's possession. On the stroke of halftime, LB managed to pull a goal back, to leave it 3-1 at the break.

The Ballyhar bench played a vital role in the 2nd half, with Grace O'Sullivan , Aislinn O'Sullivan and Alice Gleason all coming in to help push the team forward and apply the trademark Ballyhar pressure. Kate O'Connor and Eimear Spring came in later in the game to shore up the defence as LB pushed for a second goal. However, it was the determined Ballyhar girls that finished stronger and with the last kick of the game Mollie O'Connor scored a Puskás Award winning contender.
The LB keeper tried clearing a long ball which Mollie returned ON THE VOLLEY from all of 40 yards. The ball looped over the keeper and into the net. A spectacular strike which was without doubt intentional. F/T Ballyhar 4 LB 1

Ballyhar now march onto the Shield final after this very good performance. Well done girls

U12 John Murphy Trophy Final
Ballyhar Dynamos 1 - Inter Kenmare 0

Following a heavy defeat to this Kenmare outfit earlier in the season the Ballyhar team were expecting a tough game today however, they were prepared for battle in Woodlawn. The warrior spirit shone through and the battle was won by determination, grit and a never give up attitude. Each and every player stepped up today and gave 100% digging deep and doing the hard work needed to grind out a victory.

The early exchanges went Ballyhar’s way and some good chances went a begging. Up front Tadhg Fitzgerald led the line and used his pace and power to keep the Kenmare defenders on their toes and only for a super save by the Kenmare keeper could have opened the scoring early on.

Just behind him was Darren Foley whose skills and running were immense today and it was Darren who scored the game’s winning goal today. He pushed forward at every chance to support the lone striker Tadhg and tracked back to help with the defensive duties too. He combined well with those around him and caused a headache for Kenmare all game long.

On the right wing Conor Ryan brought pace and skill as well as hard work, tracking back non stop as he had to cover huge ground both defending and attacking. He gave everything until a knee Injury forced him off at half time.

Rian Flynn came in for Conor and gave an outstanding performance. His shadowing and defending was exceptional and at every opportunity he drove forward on the wing creating chances for the forward players. A real contender for man of the match.

On the left flank Jack O Callaghan worked tirelessly and put in some great tackles and interceptions and well as creating chances with his clever passing. Jack took two heavy knocks while bravely defending just before half time and had to be replaced by Noah McCarthy.

Noah slotted in and helped to shore up the defence as well as clearing the ball forward and setting up several attacks. His last minute brave and perfectly timed sliding tackle to block a near certain goal was without doubt a huge factor in the win today.

The central midfield position was filled by Diarmuid Sheehy. Diarmuid put in a massive shift and broke up so many attacks by stepping across the oncoming Kenmare attackers. He pushed forward with some lovely dribbling and also anchored the midfield.

It was perhaps the back four of Matthew Hickey , Eoghan Clifford , Jamie O Connor and keeper and man of the match Padraig Allen that secured the victory for Ballyhar.

Matthew Hickey was a giant at centre back today blocking , clearing , intercepting and heading so many balls that Kenmare could simply not get past him.

Eoghan Clifford gave a near perfect performance at full back , shadowing his forward and protecting his box like his life depended on it. He read every attack and found a way to prevent danger every time.

The other full back Jamie O Connor also gave an exemplar display of how to defend against a tricky winger. Showing him the line, blocking crosses , clearing corners and setting up attacks all game long. Jamie was exceptional today.

Finally the referee chose the Ballyhar keeper as player of the game. Padraig Allen made several saves , distributed the ball well and played through the pain barrier today, putting his body on the line.
Late in the game when the pressure came on he stood strong and repelled every shot that came his way.

The goal came on the 44th minute when a long ball up to Tadhg Fitzgerald found the striker who turned his defender and pushed forward on the right side of the box. This pulled the second defender out of position as he had come across to prevent a shot on target but Fitzgerald seeing the space pulled a delicate ball back into the box that found Darren Foley , who had timed his run to perfection, arriving unmarked into the box and he made no mistake and slotted home with a great finish.

Kenmare piled on the pressure but Ballyhar stood strong and defended like AC Milan from the early 90s to hold on for a famous win.

The boys deserved the win and proved hard work and determination can bring great results.

There was No Winner of last night's Lotto Draw, so congratulations tonpur 5 x €25 winners.
Our next draw for €2,400 will take place on May 31st Henderson's Bar Firies. Thank you for your continued support and to our ever dependable sellers.