Search Results for 'All Stars Young Footballer of the Year'

Ballyhaunis GAA club are most certainly on cloud nine at the moment. I can only imagine how tough it is trying to keep the hurling and football teams fresh as they are playing every other week. In all, 10 or so players are representing both teams so some serious negotiating has to be going on between the managers to make sure that the players are fresh for whichever code is on the following weekend. Their hurlers had a fantastic win last Sunday in Athleague and this Sunday it’s the footballers’ turn against tournament favourites St Croan’s in Hyde Park at 2pm. Kiltane’s victory over Boyle last year in Castlebar means it’s an away game for Ballyhaunis. I don’t imagine club officers would have it any other way and love the predicament they are in. Any time you are training for championship matches after the October Bank Holiday weekend means you have at the very least secured a county title for your club, and with wins for both the footballers and hurlers already in the provincial series it can only mean there will be a real adrenaline rush attending training. I experienced it twice as a player; it brings such a feel-good factor around your town or parish to be involved in the championship when the evenings are short. Players are probably and deservedly getting a little spoilt now, gear bags, training tops and polo shirts are more than likely been sponsored and to top it off they are probably been treated to some grub after training, which is ideal for the bonding of the group, that never happens unless you at least win your county title. Ballyhaunis will need to be on top of their game to win in Roscommon.

For their efforts this summer three Mayo players will pick up All Star awards at tonight’s banquet. The ever reliable Keith Higgins picked up his third All Star in a row for his displays this summer after being selected in the corner back position.

Corofin and Milltown have been drawn to face each other in one of the upcoming county football semi-finals, while in the other semi-final, Barna will face St Michael’s in a novel pairing after both sides had impressive victories over Caherlistrane and Annaghdown respectively last weekend.

Nothing in sport is definite - and that unpredictability is one of the main reasons we are enthralled by it. However, it is reasonable to assert that the Galway footballers must improve significantly on what they have produced in the championship to date if they are going to beat Armagh on Saturday at Pearse Stadium (5pm).

The Galway senior footballers kick start their National Football League campaign this Sunday when they face Derry in Pearse Stadium at 2pm.

Joe Bergin’s decision to retire from inter-county football after 13 years playing senior for the county was not a huge surprise.

Looking back to Michael Murphy's man-of-the-match display for Donegal last Sunday and the inspiration and belief that his early wonder goal gave to his teammates, brings us neatly to the importance of Joe Canning to Galway this weekend.

Galway supporters were delighted to be treated to a fine display by Alan Mulholland’s men last Sunday against a disappointing Roscommon outfit in the Connacht Senior Football Championship.

The Galway senior footballers and their management team will travel to face Roscommon on Sunday (4pm) knowing they have a tough task on their hands.

If you like sporting drama, then Pearse Stadium was the place to be last Sunday afternoon.