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Ballycomoyle GAA Club |
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Ballycomoyle
History from the Westmeath GAA Millennium Handbook. Ballycomoyle The Early DaysThe first football team to be affiliated in the Ballycomoyle locality was called Stonetown around 1920. They were defeated in the Junior final in 1923. Players, who figured on the team are sadly all deceased, e.g. Jack McGinn, Patsy Kiernan, Michael Davitt, Thomas Lynch, the McCormacks and the Fays. The next team to be affiliated was in 1952. One evening in the autumn of 1951 a group of young men got together in Ballycomoyle and decided that they would field a football team. They had no pitch or money but they formed a committee and said they would give it a try. The committee approached James Mulvey and he kindly agreed to give them a field. Through fundraising, such as raffles and card games, they gained sound financial footing. Ballycomoyle had youth and enthusiasm, but very little football experience. They turned out for practice every Sunday and most evenings of the week. Three teams were affiliated, i.e. Junior, Minor and Juvenile. The Junior’s first match was a league game against Streete and this was a struggle. After this they got down to some serious practice. They won their division and went on to win the league that year defeating Boher. They reached the semi-final of the championship but were beaten by Boher. Not bad for their first year! In 1953 they got to the Junior championship final. The road to the final was not an easy one. En route they defeated Knockdrin, Kinnegad, Castletown-Finea, and Ballinagore in the Semi-final. Once again it was the Boher team that ended their championship run in the decider. The team that played that day was: Michael Halpin, Vince Murphy, Billy Corrigan, Seamus Gavigan, Tommy Smyth, Seán Regan (Captain) Paddy Kennedy, John (Jobber) McGrath, Michael Kennedy, Tommy Brady, Pat Hughes, Phil Shields, Paddy Smyth (Corbally), Seán Kennedy, and Seán Halpin. Subs: Kevin Smyth, Valley Hughes and Paddy Smyth (Lickbla). There were many other outstanding footballers who played over the next few years but unfortunately the hard times of the late 1950s took its toll and due to emigration the club folded in 1956. The Modern Day Ballycomoyle After a general meeting held on 3 December 1985 it was agreed to make an application to the County Board to reform Ballycomoyle Football Club. The committee elected at this meeting was: Chairman: Larry Masterson, The club formed Fé 12 and Fé 16 teams in 1986 and the following year they affiliated all underage teams plus a Junior team. List of Honours Won: 1987/1988
Fé 14 Championship Past Chairmen: Larry Masterson, John Smyth, Dermot McKenna Past Secretaries: Eugene Fagan, John Lynch, Seamus Leahy
The most outstanding game in the club’s short history took place in Cusack Park on Sunday September 29th 1991. This was the win in the Junior Championship final when they defeated a very gallant and sporting Ballinagore side. Ballycomoyle went into this final as underdogs but they surprised the majority of GAA followers with the workmanlike and skillful performance to win by a four point margin. It took until the 57th minute to take the lead for the first time with a goal from Michael John Corrigan. The first goal came in the 36th minute from Barry Kennedy. Apart from the two important scores mentioned above, a few other things stood out in the game a brilliant save by goalkeeper Marius Reilly in the first half and a tally of four points scored by “Man of the Match”, centre half forward, Seamus Lynch. Also the introduction of substitute Pat McGinn at half time into mid-field was crucial towards this well deserved victory. While special mention is given to the above players it is fair to say that everyone of the eighteen players who played on the day plus the rest of the panel of thirty three contributed immensely to this historic first ever adult championship victory for the club. Team: Marius Reilly, Michael Lynch, J.J. Brody (Captain), Seán Cox, Kieran Cullen, John Lynch, Des Carter, Michael Dermody, Niall McKenna, John Daniels, Seamus Lynch, Barry Kennedy, John Fitzsimons, M.J. Corrigan, Seamus Leahy. Subs Used: Noel Delaney, Pat McGinn and Tossy Brady. Final Score: Ballycomoyle 2-6 Ballinagore 1-5. Team Trainer: Eamon Moore. Selectors: Michael McCormack, Kevin Smyth and Willo Masterson.
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