Welcome To Balally Celtic FC Web Site!

This is the home of Balally Celtic Football Club. Here you will find information about the senior teams in the club, players, contact details, location of the pitch, fixtures, results etc. We will also post news and upcoming events so check back regularly.

Upcoming Matches
 
Date 04th September 06th September
Competition League League
Opposition Aston Village Terenure F.C
Kick Off 15:00 18:15
Grounds Malahide Castle Balally Hill


Recent News

30/08/10

Orchard Celtic 2 - 1 Balally Celtic

Well all good things come to an end and that's what happened to Balally's 100% record last night against Orchard Celtic away. It wasn't so much the result that hurts, but the performance as three points were definitely there for the taking. Perhaps tiredness and fatigue played a part, maybe it was the intimidating atmosphere or possibly over-confidence from the great start to the season but whatever it was, on the whole a bad night was had by Balally as we went down 2-1.

The game started slowly enough for both teams with Orchard perhaps shading the early exchanges without really creating too much. In fact, Balally almost gifted a goal to the home team after 15 minutes as the usually super reliable Harpo played a strange pass back to Keeper, Beggsy. The ball was a high and hard ball back and not one to be played on the bobbly pitch. Beggsy managed to control the ball with his chest but it spun away from him and across the goal as the Orchard attacker moved in. A fine 50-50 tackle from Beggsy denied him a goal but also injured Beggsy. The resulting corner was no trouble for Balally.

Balally's main offensive weapon seemed to be the long ball up for Moe to try and win flick's for his strike partner Paddy but with a blistering sunlight in his eye's most of the time, this route was not ideal.

However 22 minutes into the first half saw probably Balally's best moment in the first half as Curtis whipped a terrific ball into Moe, who directed his header perfectly towards the top corner, but the Orchard pulled off an unbelievable save clawing the ball away from under his crossbar to hand Balally a corner.

In midfield both Millsy and Lorcan were struggling to deal with the intimidating, strong and tall Orchard Centre midfielder. Indeed, it was him who Orchard seemed to rely on to create things and also to break up any chances that we might create from the middle. Apart from him, the only other real dangers that Orchard seemed to pose where fro the great touch up front from the number 7 and down the left wing, where the number 11 seemed to have pace to burn.

More half chances where created by both teams with the best of these for Balally falling to Nen and Moe but neither were able to convert while a long throw in from Al should have created us a better chance but no-one was able to get on the end of it. Meanwhile Orchard also had some half chances but Beggsy and the defence of Collie, Harpo, Mowldsy and Hoggle didn't really have to worry as Orchard's finishing was wasteful with a couple of efforts blazed high and wide and when they did manage to hit the target, the shots were more or less straight at Beggsy.

Half time came and the score remained 0-0. A half time rollicking from Harpo was hoped to inspire Balally to get more into the game but the first ten minutes were a disaster for Balally.

Just 90 seconds had passed when Orchards left winger got away down the left and he manged to race to the By-line. He pulled the ball back across the box an the on-rushing Orchard attacker fired his shot past Beggsy into the top corner. Then just 5 minutes into the second half and the Orchard right winger despite being second favourite to win the ball managed to not only gather possession and keep the ball in play but also fire low into Beggsy's near-hand post to make it 2-0 to the hosts.

Then another blow for Balally as Al felt a twinge in his hamstring after taking a corner. He was replaced by Hyland and a re-shuffle ensued with Paddy reverting to right-wing, Millsy moving up front and Hyland in to try and muscle the afore-mentioned Orchard midfielder out of the game and also to win some vital headers in the centre of the park.

This seemed to work, at least we were now winning some ball in midfield and the Orchard midfielder was getting frustrated, none more so then when Lorcan won a 50-50 tackle with him and this should have seen the Orchard players second booking for his reaction to the tackle (the first being when he took Lorcan right out of the game in the first half) but he remained unpunished by the Referee.

Although, we had now started to get more ball in midfield, we were still not creating too much, however Hoggle was now getting more involved with a couple of roving runs up the left wing and he was also getting more stuck in.

Half chances had come to Moe (who was brilliantly put through by a defence splitting pass from Mowldsy) but he skewered his left foot effort across the goal and also to Paddy who had earlier nicked the centre back of possession and ran through to face a one-on-one situation but rather unlike Paddy, he didn't take it round the Keeper. Instead he tried to clip the ball over him as he seemed to be going down very early.

Millsy then had probably the best chance, however he scuffed his left footed effort from 6 yards and the Keeper gratefully fell on the ball. Then Nen also had a chance but he elected to try a first time half volley when he could have taken another touch but this effort flew over the bar.

Despite all the half chances and pressure Balally were creating, Orchard still created some chances of their own, particularly on the break as Balally were short numbers wise at the back due to pushing forward but in all fairness, none of these opportunities came to much and we were the more likely team to score on chances being mustered.

Then after 75 minutes, a life-line. Moe's corner from the left was inch perfect and Millsy rose above everyone to nod his first goal of the season and to give Balally hope. Queue the onslaught!

This led to two changes, with Hig replacing Nen and Joe coming in for Paddy. Both men contributed with some clever passing and running but still there was no equaliser and the Orchard Keeper was very clever with his time wasting tactics and this is one of the lessons that we should take from this game. When you're up, kill the oppositions momentum by wasting time in any way possible.

There was still time for one last chance and it came with a minute of normal time to go. A flick on from Millsy created havoc in the defence as Moe chased the ball down with an Orchard defender and the Orchard Keeper. However the two Orchard players collided and the ball sprang loose to Hig. He had time to shoot or take a touch but unfortunately Moe was penalised for an off the ball incident and a free-kick was awarded to the home team.

The full time whistle blew and it was a first defeat of the season for Balally. 2-1 to Orchard.

Team Vs. Orchard Celtic: Begley - C. Nolan, Harrison, Mowlds, Harmon - Byrne, Mills, Curtis (Hyland), K. Nunn (Cinnamond) - Whelan, P. Nunn (Thompson)

Need to get back to winning ways lads and we have two chances in the next week with Ashtown Village away on Saturday and Terenure at home on Monday so a big night from everyone at training on Thursday is expected.

28/08/10

Balally Celtic 2 - Clontarf 2nds 1

Another home tie this afternoon saw Balally take on an old rival from many a year back in the shape of Clontarf. This time it was Clontarf's second team but there were still enough faces to remember from the old Clontarf Premier team to sit up and make Balally take notice. They may have lost some of their pace, but surely they would still have good footballing brains and great feet, plus add in a couple of lively, nimble, young forwards and this was sure to be a tough encounter.

The game started at a slow enough pace but sure enough, Clontarf still had the touches and the vision to roll back the years but Balally counteracted anything that Clontarf tried to do and the game was comfortable enough without it really being exciting for the first 10-15 minutes. However, Clontarf were unlucky not to take the lead as their imposing centre back met a great corner from Balally's right full on the meat and Beggsy was happy to see the ball fly into the side-netting.

The first moment of note came after the quarter of an hour as a lose ball fell to Lorcan on the edge of the visitors penalty area. He hit a dipping volley from 20 yards and the ball ackwardly bounced in front of the Clontarf net-minder as he dived. Unfortunately, as the ball bobbled up over the flailing Keeper, it bounced just wide.

Moe then drifted onto a lose ball inside the box two minutes later and he manged to lift the ball back over the Clontarf defenders head to open up space to strike with his left boot but his volley flew over.

after 22 minutes as Moe made a move from his centre forward role, down the left wing. He whipped in a cross which the Clontarf Keeper tipped the ball onto the bar while back-peddling and the rebound fell to Curtis' head. Surely 1-0 but no! The Keeper somehow managed to claw Al's header away for a corner.

These chances lifted Balally and the defence of Collie (in for his brother who was in London), Mick, Harpo and Hoggle stopped anything the young Clontarf strikeforce could muster and Beggsy remained fairly untroubled. Meanwhile, Karl and Curtis wing-play was looking ominous and Mills and Lorcan were slowly but surely starting to take the game by the scruff of the neck in centre midfield while Hyland and Moe were running the channels and winning aerial balls up front.

Then with 30 minutes on the clock, Moe made another excursion onto the left wing where he gathered a delicious ball from Karl. Lorcan showed quick feet initially and he fed the winger who in turn whipped the ball up to the front man. Moe then waiting for assistance in the box and took his time before eventually sending in a beautiful cross right in the "corridor of uncertainty" as Sky Sports pundits call it and the unfortunate Clontarf defender could do nothing but sweep the ball into his own net. 1-0 Balally.

Again this lifted Balally as some of Clontarf's older legs seemed to tire towards the end of the first half. Moe again had another half chance after showing some neat skill in the opponents area, he fired an effort goalwards and this time, he was denied behind the foot of the post.

Half-time came and it was 1-0 Balally but to be fair as the team discussion went, this wasn't a fair reflection on the game as it could and perhaps should have been 2 or 3 - nil.

Again Clontarf started the second half well, after maybe getting a second wind but Mick Neill was a collossus at the back and anything that did manage to find its way past him was mopped up by the ever dependable Harpo while Collie and Hoggle were also winning nearly every tackle and header, while the whole defences distribution was second to none.

The 10 minute spell that Clontarf regained their composure was soon over though as Millsy and Lorcan began to stamp their authority on the game. Also, rejuvinated after the half time break was Curtis who's insightful running and crossing was opening up Clontarf at will.

One such moment came after the hour when Curtis latched onto a defence splitting lobbed through-ball, from Mills fell right into his stride. Although his first touch wasn't amazing (and although there was probably time for a second and maybe a third touch), Al steadied himself but blazed over from 20 yards.

Then another chance, again Millsy turned himself into Andrea Pirlo by picking the ball deep in our half and he opened his body up and sprayed a 40 yard pass to Al. Then Millsy's engine went into fifth gear as he took off to make up the ground. The ball eventually found its way back to Mills and his effort was blocked excellently by the brave Clontarf defender.

Next up, our other centre mid, Lorcan was on the move but he dragged his effort from 25 yards, just wide. Then a set-piece. We won a corner from a fairly innocuous attack and this surely spelt trouble for Clontarf with Al's delivery and the likes of Mick, Moe, Hyland, Harpo and Karl winning the majority of headers all day.

True to form, Curtis's delivery was good and it went deep to the back post and it was the on-rushing Mills who met the ball firmly with his fore-head but the ball whacked the bar. Fortunately, the re-bound fell to Moe and his scissor-kicked attempt from 2 yards made it 2-0.

This really opened the game up as Clontarf chased to get back into the game. Then Karl was injured when he seemed to pull his quad. Queue the introduction of Paddy who missed last weeks two games as he was away. This also meant a re-shuffle withHyland reverting back to left midfield and Paddy making his way up to the attack with Moe.

Clontarf soon made a change which saw them now play with 3 strikers, however the defensive line immeadiately caught onto this and there was no trouble to be seen. The game was now really stretched an Curtis again had another effort, this time from a dead-ball 40 yards from goal. His strike was good but the Clontarf Keeper just plucked the ball from the air.

Moe was next to try his luck but his wonderful turn and strike from the edge of the box wallopped the crossbar and it stayed the same score. Dave made his second substitute appearance of the season as he replaced the ever efficient Hyland and this meant another re-shuffle with Paddy filling in at left wing and Dave slotting in up front.

Then with 6 minutes to go, disaster as Clontarf pulled one back with a competent finish. Squeeky bum time? You bet!!

Clontarf sensed a point was in the air and they began to dominate in the last 5 and they won a couple of free-kicks in dangerous areas, plus a few (some debatable) corners. The deliveries were excellent each time, however the soon-to-be-married, Mick, won nearly everything both in the air and on the ground. 92 minutes elapsed and the final whistle blew! Yes! A 2-1 win for Balally meant 9 points out of 9 and a terrfic start to the season.

Orchard away on Monday is next up and undoubtedly another massive encounter. Anyone for 4 from 4?! Here's hoping!

Team Vs. Clontarf: Begley - C. Nolan, Harrison, Neill, Harmon - Byrne, Mills, Curtis, Kavanagh (P. Nunn) - Whelan, Hyland (O'Brien).

23/08/10

Balally Celtic 4 - Brayzil 0

Sky Sports slogan, "Monday Night Football Is Back", was certainly evident last night on Balally Hill as Balally romped home to a very slick 4-0 victory over Brayzil with goals from Gonzalo (2), Hoggle and a penalty from stand-in keeper, Conway.

The game started off at a very quick pace and Brayzil probably just shaded the play in the first 15 minutes with some slick passing, one-two's and some penetrative running from midfield but they didn't really create too much. 20 minutes in and a long kick-out from the Brayzil Keeper evaded Hoggle at left back and the nippy right winger unleashed a terrific first time half volley from the corner of the Balally penalty box which Conway did well to divert the ball away for a corner.

However, after that initial scare, Balally came more and more into the game with Curtis and Karl on the wings putting in a few tasty crosses, plus Moe and Gonzalo were also settling in fast and their constant running was causing the Brayzil defence alot of problems. And the front two were both unlucky with some very tight offside calls.

Balally were limiting Brayzil to long range shots and the hopes of earning something from set-pieces. One such incident was a corner from the Brayzil left hand side which was expertly dealt with by Conway. He came through a melee of players to punch the ball a good 30 yards, even going as far as coming through and injuring Mills on his follow-through. This incident seemed to fire Balally up even further.

32 minutes were on the clock, when Gonzalo finally broke the stubborn Brayzil offside trap. A neat through header from Millsy left Gonzalo effectively one-on-one with the keeper and without hesitation, the Argentine forward lifted the ball first time, expertly with the outside of his right boot over the advancing keeper and the ball sailed in just under the angle of crossbar and post for a 1-0 advantage. This is how the game stayed until half time.

The second half began and Brayzil's 3 man midfield began to cause some problems with their passing and movement and they began to put Balally under the cosh, however the back-line of Noley, Harpo, Mick and Hoggle were a match for anything Brayzil could muster with Mick particularly winning everything that was thrown up towards the big Brayzil target man.

However, Brayzil did breach the defence after 58 minutes and it was the big target man who latched onto a through ball leaving him facing Conway, however the Balally keeper stood tall and saved with a sensitive area when the Bray man fired straight at him.

62 minutes and tiredness forced us into a substitution and a couple of tactical changes. The impressive, all-round game that Lorcan played took its toll and the tough tackling midfielder and he was replaced by Hig who came on at left midfield with Hoggle moving into centre midfield to partner Millsy and Karl reverting to left back.

All of a sudden Brayzil seemed to run out of steam as Balally began to dominate particularly with Mick and Harpo winning everything at the back and Millsy and Hoggle playing intelligent football in the middle of the park. This couple with excellent distribution and running from Karl and Noley at full bak and Hig and Al wide midfield plus the dangerous front men always looking to link up.

A long kick out from Conway led to Moe challenging for a header but the ball evaded him and the Brayzil marker and the ball was bouncing. The other Brayzil defender was trying to usher the ball back to the keeper but the persistant Gonzalo managed to get around him and beat the keeper to toe-poke his and Balally's second.

Curtis then was presented with an opportunity as a mix up in the Brayzil defence led to him taking the ball past the keeper but his touch was a bit heavy and took him wide. He got to the ball however and after taking a touch and composing himsef, tried a curler into the far top corner, however, he was unlucky to see his effort fall just wide.

Balally were now rampant and Moe then nearly scored a wonder goal that was very reminiscent of his strike in last years Sheild game against Canices as he latched onto the ball 35 yards from goal and almost without looking swung his left boot and the ball moved rapidly while dipping towards the top corner of the Brayzil goal but the ball just fell over the top of the bar.

This led to even more quality football and a third soon followed with a series of one-two's between Moe and Hoggle led to the latter firing home a neat, side-footed finish under the keeper and into the far corner for the first goal he has ever scored in front of his father who was witnessing a terrific game.

Joe and Dave came on for cameo appearances in the last 5 minutes replacing Curtis and Moe respectively.

The forth goal came soon after as that man, Gonzalo, broke away again and he touched the ball past the keeper and he was denied a hat-trick as the keeper crudely brought him down inside the box for a penalty. If the score-line had been closer, the Referee would surely have sent the Brayzil stopper off, but he only picked up a yellow card on this occasion. However, Gonzalo injured his collar ater his fall and he was unable to take the penalty to complete his hat-trick. With regular penalty takers, Al and Chedder not on the pitch, keeper Conway stepped up to confidently slot home from 12 yards.

So a comprehensive 4-0 victory was attained and with two wins from two, Balally have started the season very promisingly but there are two tough games over the next week with Clontarf at home on Saturday followed by a trip to Orchard next Monday.

Team Vs. Brayzil: Conway - B. Nolan, Harrison, Neill, Harmon - Byrne (Cinnamond), Mills, Curtis (Thompson), Kavanagh - Gonzalo, Whelan -C- (O'Brien)

21/08/10

San Marino 1 - Balally Celtic 2

Saturday saw a return to league action for Balally with a daunting trip to St. Anne's Park to play a strong San Marino team, which was made even more difficult due to a number of Balally players being unavailable.

San Marino had a rigorous warm-up however and this seemed to tire them out at the beginning of the game as Balally started the more brightly of the two teams and it took only 7 minutes for us to take the lead. A long pass out to Al Curtis left the San Marino left back in trouble and Curtis' control was excellent, as was his thumping, rigt-footed, half volleyed finish into the roof of the net.

The goal seemed to spur Balally on even further as we created more chances and we were unlucky not to double the lead as Millsy broke away and fired low to the keepers left but his out-stretched arm made a fine save. Curtis then had another chance which was a carbon copy of his goal, this time after being played through by Gonzalo, however, this time he dragged his effort wide of the far post.

Our defence (Noley, Harpo, Mick and Hoggle) also looked very strong throughout the opening 25 minutes but we were breached when a long kick-out from the San Marino keeper evaded everyone and the nippy number 9 managed to just get a toe on the ball to round Beggsy and finish off an undeserved equaliser.

Balally settled down after this again but were forced into making a change after 30 minutes when Kelleher had to come off with blisters affecting his ability to move in midfield. This meant a re-shuffle with Mills dropping into centre midfield and Moe coming on up front. Half time came and the score was still 1-1.

The second half began and again Balally settled more quickly and we should have re-taken the lead 5 minutes in after a super long kick-out from Beggsy found the on-rushing Moe who did everything right by trying to lift the ball over the on-rushing Keeper but he somehow managed to get a fist on the ball to divert for a corner.

Moments later and Curtis went down injured after a clash of legs left him nursing a sore shin but after a moment of treatment, he decided he was ok to continue.

Fatigue struck after 55 minutes as Lorcan tired and he was replaced by Hyland. Gonzalo then managed to wriggle past two tackles and was about to bear down on goal but a poor second touch allowed the keeper to come out and claim the ball in a 50-50 collision with Gonzalo. This unfortunately ended Gonzalo game as he twisted his knee and he were forced to make our third change with Joe coming on for the impressive Argentine.

70 minutes gone and we were awarded a some-what soft free kick 25 yards out from the San Marino goal. Curtis stepped up and whipped the ball around the wall and the San Marino keeper could only get a hand to the ball as it flew into the bottom right-hand corner. 2-1! Something to hold on to.

Hold on to it we did. Mick Neill putting in a man of the match display as he won headers and tackles at every opportunity and he even became Alan Hansen-esque on a couple of occasions striding out of defence looking to release the front men with clever passes.

Likewise Noley, Harpo and Hoggle all stood firm when they were called upon and there was never a sign of panic as San Marino tried and tried but they couldn't penetrate the tough defence. That is, until the 83rd minute as their left winger got down the line and put a dangerous low cross in. Beggsy somehow managed to claw the ball away to the edge of the box and the follow up shot was high, wide and far from handsome.

Finally, after 3 minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle went and we had done it. An opening day victory, away from home against avery strong side. YEEEEESSSSSSSSS!

Tonight see's us play our second league game, this time at home to Brayzil. Lets make the Hill a fortress this season and away performances like Saturday could see us go a long way this year

14/08/10

Balally have just finished their pre- season friendly fixtures. By all accounts it went well with us scoring 18 goals in 5 games however we also conceded 13. As it was pre-season and we ensured that all players got at least an hour each game, conceding goals can be expected. Once we keep scoring we will get the defensive part of our game sorted. We go into the start of the season with a very strong squad of new and old players who are all eager and willing to battle and play football to win silverware this year.

Pre-Season Top Scorers, Results and Match Reports

Top Scorers

Mo 7
Hyland 3
Gonzalo 2
Fiddlesticks 1
Hoggle 1
Nen 1
Curtis 1
Paddy 1
Lorcan 1

14th August - Pre-Season Game 5 Versus Leixlip Town - Result 5-5

Today, we went out to Premier Division new boys Leixlip in what would surely be a big test for us in searing conditions plus the fact we only had a squad of 12 players.

We took the lead early on as Moe's deft cross was volleyed home by Karl with his weaker right foot. Moe was again provider 10 minutes later as he swept the ball across the 6 yard box for Hoggle to bundle home. Leixlip then came back into the game and scored.

Moe got his reward in the second half as he pounced on a defensive error to run through and slot the ball home neatly with his left foot. The two goal advantage was short lived however as poor marking from a corner led to Leixlip scoring their second.

Tiredness and injuries were now taking their toll and Leixlip flipped the result on its head with two further goals to lead 4-3. Moe again became provider with an almost carbon copy ball of the second goal, this time for Hyland to finish.

Leixlip duly replied with a fifth goal with not long remaining, however a slick passing move involving Hyland, Holmesy, Noley and Karl led to Moe thumping home the equaliser with minutes to go to make it a strange 5-5 scoreline.

Thats the end of pre-season games so fitness and attendances need to improve very quickly as the league starts next Saturday. Training is on the Hill at 6.45 both Tuesday and Thursday and everyone is expected to attend.

12th August - Pre-Season Game 4 Versus Lakelands - Result 2-0

On Thursday night, we played Lakelands away with a huge squad of players to choose from and therefore, we decided to get everybody an hour of football against a young, quick, solid outfit.

Unfortunately poor defnding cost us two goals and we couldn't reply and we also were hurt by Chedder's unfortunate broken nose but it was still a good work out.

07th August - Pre-Season Game 3 Versus Castle Rovers - Result 7-3

Harpo is being lazy by not posting anything so I'll have to, even though I was only at the match for 15 minutes!!

Last Saturday we played Castle Rovers, again the venue was Moreen and they were unfortunately the weakest team we've played in a long time, however they still managed to breach our defence by scoring 3 times! Luckily, we managed to nick it by scoring 7!

We were 4-0 up early on with a brace from Moe and goals from Nen and Curtis. I arrived just in time to see Moe miss a penalty for his hat-trick and this inspired Castle to score 2 quick goals prior to half time after some sloppy defending.

The second half saw Castle score their third and further Balally goals from Hyland and two from Gonzalo. As mentioned the game finished 7-3.

Next game is over in Loretto Park (across from Nutgrove Shopping Centre) tomorrow night versus Lakelands.

04th August - Pre-Season Game 2 Versus St. Mary Boys - Result 1-4

Another game in Moreen, this time against hosts, the re-formed, St. Marys and a comfortable victory of 4-1 put us in good form going into Saturdays friendly against Castle Rovers.

We had two aims from last nights game, firstly to win, of course, and secondly to give everyone of the 16 players there a good solid hour of football to raise fitness and we managed both.

Starting out, Balally employed an orthodox 4-4-2 and started brightly and we took the lead after only 8 minutes. The ball eventually broke to Hyland at the edge of the box after a thrown in down Mary's left hand side. His close (and questionable!!) control on the edge of the box opened up a yard of space and his toe-poked effort from 15 yards, bounced in off the far up-right for a 1-0 lead.

It got better for Balally after only 17 minutes. Moe came deep to take possession and his quick swivel and immaculate reverse, through ball found Paddy's well timed run and he took the ball past the goal keeper and he slotted home with his right foot from a near impossible angle to double the lead.

23 minutes in and Moe himself got on the score sheet with a clever right footed finish down low to the Marys keepers left put us 3-0 ahead. We had planned to make 4 changes after 30 minutes, however we were forced into an earlier than expected change after 25 minutes. Gonzalo (ournew Argentine import) replaced Curtis on the right of midfield after Curtis got a calf injury due to being hacked out of the game after giving the Mary's full back a torrid time.

Mary's came more into the game and their clever ball playing midfield were looking to pick passes through our defence of Noley, Mick, Harpo and Karl but the lads stood firm and when Marys did find a way through, they were to be denied by a mixture of good goalkeeping from Conway and poor finishing from their forwards.

On 30 minutes, the remaining changes were made with Mills coming in to replace Chedder, Mowldsy replacing Noley, Lorcan coming in for Hyland and Coly taking Harpo's place at centre back.

38 minutes gone and the goal of the night came from Lorcan. A clever lay-off from Nen with the outside of his right foot was perfectly weighted and Lorcs took one touch, measured the options and fired home from 20 yards to give a commanding lead heading into half time.

The second half began more slowly than the first for Balally as we were now playing against the wind and up the hill. Seven minutes into the second half and some sloppy (and sleepy) defending from a throw in allowed the Marys centre forward through on goal but after what seemed like a good recovery from Mick, a back heel allowed an on-rushing Mary's player to fire past Conway and give the home team some hope.

However, 10 minutes into the second half, those hopes were slightly tempered after a clever run and flick from Gonzalo led to him being hauled down and a penalty was awarded. Gonzalo dusted himself down to take the penalty, looking for a debut goal, but a long delay ensued as the Referee was caught up with the Mary's players arguments over the award of the penalty and nerves seemed to get the better of Gonzalo and his penalty was saved.

The hour mark came and more changes were made with Noley replacing Karl, Harpo returning for Mick, Chedder in for Lorcan and Hyland up front in place of Paddy. The game now seemed a bit more spread out and Mary's exciting left winger was causing problems with some incisive passing and crossing, however, again Balally stood firm without conceeding.

More changes came in the last 15 with the physically wrecked Moe having to come off for Lorcan on 68 minutes. Karl then came on for Nen after 70 minutes. Moe returned for the last few minutes replacing Gonzalo and Paddy likewise, came on, to replace Mills but none of these changes made a difference to the scoreline and the game was over.

4-1! A great victory.

28th July - Pre-Season Game versus Spartak Dynamo - Result 2-2

The Celts are back playing football!

Last night, we had our first pre-season friendly versus Spartak Dynamo from Marlay Park! Sounds a bit like a foray into the Inter-Toto Cup but this was a full blown, 100 mile-an-hour, Irish pre-season game.

Balally started slowly, however, and we found ourselves behind after 7 minutes after some slack defending from the dangerous long Spartak throw-ins and their marrauding right back got his head on the ball to nod past Conway to make it 0-1.

This seemed to spark us back into life as we gradually gained control of the game and created a number of half chances with Nen, Moe, Hyland and Chedder all looking dangerous, while beggsy was increasingly becoming more and more menacing through old fashioned dribbling and crossing from the right wing and also from his whipped corner kick deliveries. While Hoggle sitting in midfield and the defence of Noley, Harpo, Mick and Karl also looked more comfortable dealing with the Spartak attack that looked so dangerous in the first 10 minutes.

However a lapse of concentration after 35 minutes allowed the nippy Spartak forward a great chance as he ran through onto a lose ball and he fired low but Conway came to the rescue saving low to his right with his legs.

Half time came and we were still 1-0 down.

A couple of changes were made. We switched from the experimental 4-5-1 to a more orthodox 4-4-2 with Beggsy moving to play in goals and Curtis coming on to replace Conway and to play on the right side of midfield and Coly coming in at centre back for Mick while Hyland pushed more forward to ssupport Moe more.

The changes paid off immeadiately with Moe bursting through after a clever pass from Hyland to cheekily lift the ball over the keeper to draw Balally level. We then took complete control of the game for the next 10 minutes or so until Spartak had a rare opportunity from a free kick. The ball was swung in and after Balally failed to clear, the big Spartak was allowed to turn on the edge of the box and his clever toe-poked finish made it an undeserving score of 2-1 to Spartak.

Again, after this set-back, Balally regained the balance of play, taking control of possession, winning the majority of tackles and creating the better chances and it wasn't long until this dominence paid paid off as a terrific flick-on from Hyland on the half way line released the speedy Moe into a one-on-one position and there was no doubt of the outcome as the new captain placed the ball into the net. 2-2.

Balally maintained control after this and Moe had another cracking, chipped finished, incorrectly ruled out for offside. Another two changes came with Conway returning outfield to replace Nen and Holmesy giving Moe a breather for the final ten minutes.

More chances came and another goal was again incorrectly ruled out for offside after Holmesy beat the keeper with his right foot.

Full time came and it was 2-2 but a great performance from Balally and the levels of fitness and the entire passing game came as two bonuses especially for a first pre-season game.

Long may it continue.

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