3/4/2024
U18 Boys Shield Final - BUFC U18 Boys 3-3 Merville United (4-2 PENS) Mac Sharry Park (NEUTRAL) (WIN)
The Final of The Rugantinos U18 Boys Shield was played in McSharry Park on Wednesday night and it lived up to all expectations with both sides evenly matched throughout the ninety plus minutes.
Both sides defended well in the opening five Minutes.
Shane Gethins was put through with a lovely pass from Cameron Flanagan and he lobbed the advancing Merville keeper to give Ballisodare the Lead.
This lead only lasted only two minutes when a Merville got the equaliser following a corner Cathal Kelly came in at the back post to slide home his effort.
Two minutes later Kelly was on the score sheet again when he was put through by Alan Pudans and calmly stroked the ball past the Ballisodare Keeper.
Both sides went at each other again and on the 33rd Minute Mikey Coen pressurised the Merville defender winning the ball and his strike ended up in the net for Ballisodare’s equaliser leaving It level at half time.
The second half produced more of the same both sides creating plenty of chances and defending well and with 15 Minutes remaining Shane Gethins got on the end of a pass, battled to get by the defender before rifling his effort home with his a left foot to give Ballisodare the Lead Again.
The lead only lasted four minutes when Cathal Kelly unleashed a powerful strike From 25 yards hitting the crossbar and bouncing behind the line equalising for Merville.
The game went into extra time and remained deadlocked and went to penalties where Ballisodare Won By 4 Goals To 2 to lift the Rugantinos U18 Shield Capping of a Fine Season for the Ballisodare Boys.
FAI Connect Line Up & Game Timeline
Ballisodare United Photos thanks to Ken Farrell
6/4/2024 -
Boys u13 GRPC - BUFC U13 Boys V Coolaney United - Astro Pitch Ballisodare (HOME) (WIN)
The u13 white team finished off their league campaign in style with a comprehensive 6-0 win this morning, in very windy conditions.
Conor Fallon opened the scoring on 10’.
Dylan Hughes scored 2 well taken goals from midfield.
A strike from Captain Nathaniel Moderski and a brilliant goal from long range from Tommy Walsh made it 5-0 at HT.
Oran Hynes capped off the win with a great solo effort at full time.
Great performances all around the pitch today and another clean sheet from the defence who were excellent.
We finished 2nd in the league so now it’s on to a cup semi final against Coolaney Utd again. ⚽🔴⚪💪🏻
GIRLS U13 GRPA SHIELD FINAL - BUFC U13 Girls 3-2 Carrick Town - Astro Pitch Ballisodare (NEUTRAL) (WIN)
The u13 girls just didn't take on Carrick on Saturday they also had to battle against Strom Kathleen in horrendous gale force winds and hail showers.
Given the horrendous weather conditions it took both teams a good 20 minutes to get into the game.
Carrick found there feet and broke free after 25mins finding the back of the net.
Pressure was applied by the girls a long range shot from Grainne Ward seen the ball go through the goalies legs and cleared off the Carrick goal line.
Shortly afterwards the Carrick forward broke free again placed the ball in the back of the net half time score line 2:0.
Ballisodare girls came out after half time and settled right into the game and they began to show there true potential.
They applied the pressure from the get go a fine pass from Riona resulted in Sophie Henry blasting the ball into the back of the net.
Tara broke free resulting in the equaliser.
With only a minute left Sophie scored the winner.
The future is bright for these girls.
A great mention in the Ocean FM Podcast
BOYS U 16 GRPA SHIELD FINAL - BUFC U16 Boys 4-1 Benbulben FC - Astro Pitch Ballisodare (NEUTRAL) (WIN)
Under 16s won the league shield on Saturday last defeating Benbulben FC 4-1 on a very blustery evening in Ballisodare.
We started well and took the lead on 9 minutes through great tenacity from Jack Nicholson on the edge of the box to beat two defenders and get into the box and fire his shot into the bottom right corner.
Five minutes into the second half a great through ball from Aaron Lougheed split the centre backs and Cillian Deery finished the chance brilliantly.
On 62 minutes a great run from midfield seen captain Jayden Gilgan make it 3-0 with a fantastic finish.
Benbulben got one back on 63 minutes to give them hope but we finished off the game with a great finish from Ronan Rogers, his first goal for the under 16s in the 70th minute.
The game ended 4-1 and there were smiles all around as we picked up our second trophy in two seasons.
7/4/2024
BOYS U 11 PREMIERSHIP - BUFC U11 Boys 4-1 Valley Rovers - Cleveragh Astro (NEUTRAL) (WIN)
The under 11 White Team got back to winning ways with a deserved 4-1 victory over Valley Rovers at a windswept Cleveragh this morning.
The lads started fast but a combination of superb goalkeeping by the Valley Rovers no.1 and some wayward finishing meant Valley took the lead against the run of play midway through the first half.
The lads got back on level terms before half time with a great strike from Kai Nicholson.
The 2nd half was a repeat of the first, and it looked like a winner may never come, but 3 goals in the last 5 minutes, all from Kai Nicholson (4 in total!) gave us a well earned victory.
Great to see the lads to back on the victory trail, the smiling faces at the end said it all.
Sligo Pallets Premier League - BUFC Senior Mens 4-2 Strand Celtic Res - Strandhill (AWAY) (WIN)
Ballisodare United Senior Mens team took on Strand Celtic Reserves in their penultimate game of the season. It was a fast start in windy conditions in Strandhill.
Adam Grace grabbed an early double with good finishing as BUFC used playing into the wind as an advantage with through balls holding up for attackers to latch onto.
U17 player Ben Sherlock made it 3-0 after 27 minutes.
Strand grabbed a fortuitous goal when a long range strike bounced off the penalty spot divot and sprung into the top corner of the net, 3-1.
Second half and with conditions worsening good football was at a premium and as BUFC slacked off, Strand scored their second to make it 3-2.
BUFC missed numerous opportunities before Gary Anderson crossed and Aaron Scanlon nodded home to make it 4-2.
That's how it finished in what was a good run out for BUFC with many players getting game time. Final league game is away to Ballygawley Celtic next Sunday at 11am.
