Club notes Béal an Átha Móir Seán Ó hEislin
A great loss
On Saturday morning we all began to hear the sad news of Tommy “Spike” McCormack Junior’s passing and all our hearts began to break as we tried to process this devastating news.
Spike and his family have always been deeply connected to Ballinamore Seán O’Heslins with Spike playing both Hurling and football for the club.
As a hurler Spike usually lined out in goals and with his bravery and his massive puck out he excelled in the position. Indeed the sliotar was not the only ball he was known to strike as Tommy was also a noted golfer. But when it came to Gaelic games, Spike’s first love was football. Speed of thought and the quickness of his feet were his attributes. Indeed Spike prided himself on the fact that nobody was really sure if he was right footed or left footed; he was that good with either!
Spike represented the Club at all grades including senior, with one of his finest moments being when as joint captain he led us to a Junior B Championship in 2015. Spike was a determined man on the football pitch as well as off and this drive helped him to be a success in all he has done, as a club we were proud of him as a player and equally as proud when he did so well in the European and World powerlifting championships.
He never forgot his roots and was proud to wear his yellow Seán O’Heslins socks whenever he competed at the powerlifting. Spike was a Ballinamore man to the core loving the town and the club and and we were all proud of him when he was asked to open the festival in recognition of all he had achieved.
As Karen his lovely wife has said yellow was Spikes favorite colour and he was surely always proud to wear that Yellow Ballinamore Jersey. As a club it is hard to put into words how saddened we are and the sorrow we feel for his family and friends and we would all like to pass on our deepest sympathies and love to his wife Karen, his parents Tommy and Teresa, his sisters Majella, Elaine, Leona and Emma and all of Spikes family and friends at this difficult time.
Spike was a true Ceannabó man and he will certainly be missed by us all.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Senior Championship
The senior lads started their championship campaign on Saturday evening in Drumshanbo against Dromahaire ,after hearing the sad news on Spikes passing they lined out across the pitch as one and observed a minutes silence for their fallen friend.
The lads started the game with what looked like a point to proof and came out flying with Barry McGovern opening the scoring after less than 1 minute and after that it was one way traffic with the stand out point of the game coming from young Tom Prior a jinking 60 yard run from the 50 evading three Dromahair men and then a long range point .
Ballinamore led by 16 points at the Break only conceding 1 free to Dromahaire, The second half was similar with the Lads playing well and pushing forward at every opportunity and adding scores. The final score was 4:26 to 1:02 to the lads and an impressive win one we are sure Spike would have been proud of, next up is the neighbours Aughawillan on Saturday at 1900 in Pairc Sean MacDiarmada.
Intermediate Championship
As with the senior lads our intermediate lads showed their respect to Spike with a minutes silence before their opening match against Leitrim Gaels. The lads put in a good performance but a number of wides and a missed penalty against a very good wife left us with to much to do. The lads put in a great effort and started the second half well with 3 scores to no reply but it was not enough and we lost by a score of 3:12 to 0:07 next up for the lads is a match against Cloone on Sunday at 12:00 in Carrigallen.
Club Crest and Cairde Ceannabo
For the first time in many years the club is updating its crest. The old crest has been worn with pride for many years but it was felt that the time is right to revamp our logo.
The new layout incorporates the original S.O.H. into a sleek, modern design which works well on all backgrounds.
The new crest incorporates the S.O.H layout of the original crest along with the Club name and the Club motto (CEANN NA BÓ GO DEO). You will also notice in the centre of the crest the 3 arches which represent the main bridge in the town at the canal basin… One of Ballinamore’s most iconic landmarks. Did you know that the name Ballinamore derives from the Irish Béal an Átha Móir which literally means “The Mouth of the Big Ford”. The Ford was a crossing point on the river where the town was first established. Now this landmark crossing point is emblazoned on our new crest!
The crest is being launched in conjunction with our new supporters club, CAIRDE CEANNABO! Membership is now open for 2019 Cairde Ceannabo at a cost of €50. Members will receive a stylish new 2019 car sticker along with entry to a draw for 2 All-Ireland tickets complete with overnight accommodation for 2 in Buswells Hotel, Dublin. Membership is limited, so ask any member of the executive for details. CEANN NA BÓ GO DEO!
Historical display
Seán Ó Súilleabháin and his team have recently completed an historical display of images in our club rooms which chart all of our successes over the years. There are some fantastic images and we would recommend all our followers to take a look over the coming weeks, special thanks to Sean and his team for all the hard work they have put into this fantastic display.
Minor ladies
Well done to our Minor ladies who defeated Allen Gaels on a scoreline of 7-14 to 2-6 in the opening round of the Championship last night. A great performance from all of the team.
Next up, we play St Brigid’s on Wednesday, 31st July at 7pm in Ballinamore. Please come out to support the girls!
Sympathy
Deepest sympathies are extended to the family and friends of the late Mick Prior who passed away after illness on Sunday. Mick’s Nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces are all involved with the club and we wish them and all his family and friends deepest sympathy at this difficult time
A speedy Recovery
Best of luck to club and county star Aoibhinn Keegan who is recovering from her cruciate knee surgery, everyone at the club wishes her a speedy recovery.
Club Lotto Monday 29 07 2019
Numbers Drawn : 1 4 7 0 2 6 5 3
Ní raibh aon bhuaiteoir den Lotto ar Dé Luan seo caite. Duaiseanna do dhaoine a bhí i láthair ar an oíche:
House Draw Martina Farry
Sponsored Martina Farry
€40 each: Aaron Mahon, Lucan. Bernie Beirne, Ardrum. Sarah Corby, Mobile No. Mark Kinsella, c/o David McTiernan
Next week’s draw takes place in McGirls with a jackpot of €3,900
.