23/10/2023

U18 Boys League : BUFC U18 Boys 3-4 Ballymote Celtic - Astro Ballisodare (HOME) (LOSS)

Our U18s lost 4-3 to Ballymote Celtic tonight. After an atrocious start, 3 down in first 20 minutes, the lads rallied and pulled it back to 3-2 before halftime. Goals from Cameron Flanagan and Ben Sherlock.

However, despite dominating the second half we couldn't find an equaliser. Ballymote scored their fourth late as we chased the game. Camryn Gilgan scored our third with seconds go.

24/10/2023

SFAI Subway Boys u14 Cup Round 2: BUFC U14 Boys 5-2 Kenagh United (Longford) - Astro Ballisodare (HOME) (WIN)

A late kick-off, especially for the visitors who had travelled from Longford.

Our lad pressed well throughout and played very well at times. Limiting the visitors to half chances and both their goals came from set pieces which we failed to deal with.

Our goal scorers on the night were Daniel Connolly ⚽⚽, Adam Finn ⚽⚽ and Ryan Maloney ⚽. Some absolutely fantastic finishes for the spectators to enjoy.

27/10/2023

Boys u13 GRPC: BUFC U13 Boys 4-0 Benbulben FC - Cleveragh Astro (AWAY) (WIN)

A solid performance and win from the u13 white team tonight in Cleveragh.

Tommy Walsh opened the scoring on 21 mins with a brilliant shot from distance, after great work from captain Oran Hynes and Dillon Hughes.

Conor Fallon scored just before half time with a lovely drag back and shot.   

Conor Cuskelly hit a great effort from distance to make it 3 nil.

A few minutes later  Max NCube shot after his great work on the left. Dillon Hughes was on the line to make sure it went in! Might need VAR to decide the scorer! 

Great result to keep us top of the table!  ⚽⚽⚽⚽

Sligo Bay Lobster Women’s Amateur League: BUFC Senior Ladies 2-1 Carrick Town - Astro Pitch-Ballisodare (HOME) (WIN)

On a fresh night on Friday night with the full moon shining bright on Ballisodare Astro the Senior Ladies took on Carrick Town.

The game started at a fast pace with both teams having one thing in mind taking the early lead. 

We started the stronger team with multiple chances at goal but we were unable to find the back of the net in the first few mins.

The Ballisodare ladies stood there ground and eventually Catherine Porter got the first goal of the night shorty followed by the second goal from Amy Gerrity.

The girls were 2:0 up at half time.

Carrick came out the stronger team in the second half and applied the pressure as soon as the whistle was blown and ended up getting an early goal.

The defence of Selina, Ciara, Edel & Rachel were but to the test and stood there ground when under serious pressure.

The midfield line of Clodagh, Amy, Grace, Geraldine clocked up serious miles on the night from tracking back to defend and working the ball up to the forwards.

The forward line of Sinead and Catherine worked hard to find the back of the end but it wasn't to be.

Subs used on the night Michelle, Elaine, Audrey, Rachel, Fiona & Cora.

Great performance from everyone on the night and never crumble under the pressure.

28/10/2023

BOYS U 12 GRPB: BUFC U12 Whites Boys 4-1 Boyle Celtic - Astro Pitch-Ballisodare (HOME) (WIN)

After a 7 week gap since their first competitive fixture the U12 White Team were straining at the leash for a return to action this morning and they delivered a terrific team performance to record their first win at this level.

Adam Graham ⚽⚽ and Marcel Koniesczka⚽ scored their first goals for the club while experienced campaigner Kyran Gethins ⚽ added an expertly taken fourth in a dominant display from start to finish.

Wes Elliott in goal kept us on the front foot with his safe hands & impressive passing range and the rock solid defence of Scott Breheny, Sean Giblin & Rian McConigly was well marshalled by the imperious Noah Curley at centre back belying his 10 years of age.

Team captain Conor Crossan and the industrious AJ McDonagh combined well in midfield to keep the visitors busy throughout and another debutant Eoghan Commons made some vital interceptions in the 2nd half as we managed the game to a close.

Forza BUFC 🔴⚪⚽⚽⚽⚽👍

Boys u 12 GRPA: BUFC U12 Reds Boys 2-1 Merville United - Merville (AWAY) (WIN)

11 O clock kick off on a lovely Saturday morning to face a well drilled physical side Merville United on there home patch, on a grass pitch which is rare these days for the boys from Ballisodare.

We started the better team, with flowing passes through the middle of the park using our wings to get in behind the Merville defence.

A well organised defence of the ever dependable Evan Lougheed, who was his usual very solid throughout, and full backs Darragh Culkin and man of the match Teddy Healion, nothing got through.

Midfielder Caolon Feeney won everything in his midfield battle against top opposition.

Luke Mc Loughlin on our wing gave options when we attacked to get in behind and he was unlucky on a few occasions to be closed down at the last second.

18 mins in and we took the lead through Jason Scanlon his constant movement and bending runs paid off with a killer pass from excellent Stephen Gillespie, Jason ran onto it and oh my god did he finish and absolute bullet into the top corner, leading to a well deserved congratulations from team mates, management and spectators from both sides.

Everything was going to plan but one lapse in concentration and one incisive pass caught us and it was 1-1 at half time.

Second half few changes which made the desired impact. We gained our desired composure on the ball, with Callum Clarke cleaning up all loose balls and making tackles. Conor Fallon up front showing skill in holding up the ball drawing fouls and his pace was causing the home defence all types of trouble.

Oran Hynes when he came on was terrific. his constant hard work in defending and an absolute treat to watch going forward.

A short goal kick from Merville lead to ball being closed down and falling to Conor Fallon who took the defender on and ending up drawing the foul in the box,

Up stepped up the brave young man Stephen Gillespie to slot the ball to bottom corner with a classy finish.

An absolutely class squad effort with defending from Ethan Lougheed and Jamie Nicolson, adding fresh legs on the park our fitness and never die attitude was first class and paid off.

Keeper Ryan Fallon always on the alert constantly talking, organising defenders, a skill in its self..

The squad as a whole are all contributing greatly and is appreciated by the management.

Forza BUFC🔴⚪⚽⚽

SFAI Subway Girls u 12 Trophy: BUFC U12 Girls 9-1 Ballina Town - Astro Ballisodare (HOME) (WIN)

Another powerful display by this talented group who are only improving game by game.

After coming of the back of a big win last week the challenge was to see if we could keep our feet on the ground and just do the basics right again and everything started perfect.

After a strong start we were rewarded after 10 minutes  with a classy finish by Kristina Leskova who has kept up her record of scoring in all our games so far this season but when this should have spurred us on it had the opposite effect.

With the BUFC girls becoming very wasteful at times with the ball and letting Ballina have one or two half chances, we did double our lead though just before halftime with a fine solo run by Sophie Henry from the half way line and calmly slotting past the keeper.

We got the girls in at halftime and after a good chat to them with the help of Audrey we came out and they showed when they play to their true potential what they can do, scoring another 7 goals and creating a host of chances.

Ballina did pull back a late well taken consolation goal. Every girl in the squad today gave a 100% work rate again with captain Tara Morris setting the level from the start. Scorers today, Sophie Henry ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ Kristina Leskova ⚽⚽⚽ Blaithin O'Meara ⚽.

Special mention today has to go to Kimberley Spain who even though she had her birthday party at 2pm still came out and played the first half and left at 1.40pm for it and to the girls who were going to it that stayed to the very end of the match, this shows the dedication that is within this team.

Also a big thanks to Audrey and Vivienne for helping during the match, with Vivienne even retrieving a ball for us that looked like it was lost to the swamp outside the fence and to Lillian who helped with the food and tidy up afterwards.

29.10.23

Sligo Leitrim and District League Pallets Premier League 23/24:

BUFC Senior Mens 1-0 Coolaney United - Astro Pitch-Ballisodare (HOME) (WIN)

BUFC Seniors started the brighter in their local derby v Coolaney United on a perfect morning for football at BUFC Astro.

However Coolaney's Jack Somers had the first shot in anger 6 minutes in followed by a Mattie Racki header which failed to hit target on 7 minutes.

An unfortunate collision on 14 minutes between BUFCs Mr. Dependable, Gary Anderson and Ryan Mcauley in the away teams goals led to Gary having to leave the field of play with a serious injury.

Play was held up for a number of minutes and Adam Grace replaced Gary Anderson up front.

On 23 minutes the half was further punctuated by an injury to Racki who had to leave the field of play also.

With the BUFC lads gaining a foothold in midfield, BUFCs James Mc Govern saw a great effort come off the bar and over on 38 minutes. 

A great last minute intervention by Finn O'Hara on 44 minutes prevented the ever threatening Ciaran Mc Murray taking a lead into half time.

The last action of the half saw Keith Cotter, on the break, try his luck but was easily saved by Mcauley in the Coolaney goals.

Nil all at half time.

On 47 Stephen Fallon tried his luck from long range and on 50 minutes, with mounting pressure from the home side, Darragh Mahon saw an effort whistle just wide.

On 53 Enda Gallagher had a chance for Coolaney which he failed to take.

On 59 minutes the BUFC management made their first move from the bench bringing on the fresh legs of Ciaran Mc Partland on for the tiring James Mc Govern who had works his socks off.

A great move on 60 minutes saw Darragh Healy play an exquisite pass to Keith Cotter and from his pass it looked certain that Adam Grace would break the deadlock but somehow the Coolaney centre half got their first.

On 64 minutes Ciaran McPartland found Adam Grace who hit the side netting with a few team mates calling that they were better placed to apply the finish.

It was all BUFC now and on 66 minutes Darragh Mahon found Keith Cotter but his shot flew wide.

From a counter Coolaney took advantage of a sloppy pass in midfield and drew the foul but Mc Murray's free fails to hit target.

Finally on 79 minutes the deadlock was broken by the BUFC lads as Darragh Mahon found Keith Cotter again and with a swivel of the hips he left the Coolaney defender flat footed and finished to the bottom corner with his left foot.

On 81 minutes a Darragh Healy free releases Darragh Mahon who produced a great cross but unforgivingly there was no one there to apply finish 

The last action of the game saw Adam Grace again from the side netting on 92 minutes.

Referee Owen Mc Loughlin brought things to a close and BUFC will be delighted with this invaluable win which bring them back into the promotion mix.