Ballymore Notes

Ballymore's Claim to Fame: The athletics community in Ireland is understandably delighted with Olive Loughnane's fantastic silver medal in the 20km race walk at the World T&F Championships in Berlin on Sunday 16th August. The last World medal won by Ireland was also a silver medal in the women's race walk, which was won by Gillian O'Sullivan in Paris in 2003 and she was coached by Michael Lane, Ballymore. Michael is in Berlin as the Team Ireland race-walk coach and doubtless was very excited to witness Olive's performance up close and it must have brought back some terrific memories of Paris in 2003. Ballymore Community Centre Bowls Bowls returns after the summer break. Wednesday nights 8.30pm at Ballymore Community Centre. New members always welcomed.  Youth Club A meeting of parents/leaders will take place Thursday 10th September at 9pm with a view to the Youth Club returning the following Thursday night. There are a number of items to be discussed so it is imperative that as parents as possible come to the meeting. Bingo Bingo every Monday night at 8.30pm. Baptism Congratulations to the parents and family of Madison Rose Lynch who was baptised recently. Marriage Our sincerest congratulations to Mark Shonahan and Laura Boland who were married recently. Rest in Peace Our sincerest sympathies are extended to the family and friends of Davina Calpin, Bertha Larkin and Marcella McKnight all of who passed away recently, may they rest in peace. Niall Mellon There are three representatives from the village taking part in this years Niall Mellon project. David Rooney, Ollie Dooner and Bernard Maxwell please try to support them in their fundraising for this very worth while work. Millmore Gaels Training for all under 8 and under 10 players at 7pm in Ballymore. Fr Dalton's hurling. Under age Congratulations to all the players and the selectors of the Under 10 team who played Southern Gaels in a challenge match last Saturday afternoon in the Park. Thank you to Southern Gaels for making the short trip over to Ballymore and best wishes for the future. Under 8 and under 12 training as normal in the park this Saturday all welcome. Don't forget the club has a large number of Mycro Helmets for sale at only €40 a saving of €25 on shop prices please speak to Kevin or Denis for further details. Ballymore GAA The Junior B championship - Moate, 0-16: Ballymore, 2-11. The championship got off to flying start for the team against Moate, in Moate, on Tuesday 18th August. Conor McNeill, Bobby McDermott, Andy Slevin, Shane Rooney, Alan Slevin, Dara Rooney (Capt), Mike Slevin (0-1), Liam Gilligan, Sam Whooley, Dermot Farrell (1-6), Anthony Kearney, Louie Mears (0-2f), Stephen Rooney (0-2), James Eivers, Brian Finnerty (1-0), Stephen Butler, Frank Eivers, Anthony Martin, Vinny McCormack, Ciaran Finnerty, Pascal White, Brendan Maguire and Sean Kincaid.   This was a massive effort and a great win for this team who must travel to Ballycomoyle next Tuesday (7pm) and repeat the win to give them a real chance of making the later stages of this competition. Pool season The Westmeath Junior Pool Season got started in Boher Hall last weekend with some local and new players getting their hands on a trophy. As expected for the first event of the year, there was a low turnout. However, it didn't take away from the quality on. The players have obviously being putting in the practice over the summer with some big improvements on last season. Having had a couple of 2nd place finishes last term; Peter Elliffe from Rosemount wasted no time in the new season in getting his hand's a winners' medal in the Under-15 tournament category. Peter's win has taken him to the top of the Westmeath Under-15 Pool Rankings overtaking last year's No.1 Daniel Jordan (12). Daniel who won this tournament 12 months ago only made it to the semi-final stage this time around along with fellow Ballymore competitor Mikie McKnight who at just 8 years of age shows that he and Daniel have a great future in the game. The final was contested between Peter and newcomer Joseph Pidgeon. Not a bad start for the new player getting beat 5-3 in the final. The Under 18 section also saw the No. 1 spot overtaken from David McCormack when Niall Moran won the top prize beating a very talented player in Cathal McCormack. This is Niall's second tournament win since the Junior section was set up this time last year. It's also Cathal's first final appearance. In what was a high quality final, Niall won the match 5-2. Under-15 winner Peter Elliffe made his way to the Semi Final along with Mikie McKnight making his second semi final appearance of the weekend. The next set of Junior tournaments (Westmeath Junior Pool Grand Prix) will be held on Sunday, 4th October with venue to be confirmed. For further information on the Westmeath Pool Association, Contact Robert Malynn on 0863769452 / robbiemalynn@yahoo.ie