Ballymartle GAA club looking forward to their golf classic and the season ahead

Ballymartle GAA chairman, Don Lordan, is looking forward to what is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Carrigdhoun side.

Having recently secured victories over near-neighbours Ballinhassig and Mallow, the Riverstick outfit are only two games away from promotion to Division Two as they welcome the Rockies to town on Thursday, June 13th.

"There is no guarantee we will go up, and we will take every game as it comes up and try and go out to win them. 

"It doesn't matter if we make a league final, as it is all about keeping the attitude right," said Lordan.

Having been relegated to the premier intermediate grade in 2022 the club are hopeful of promotion this year.

"Things are improving all the time; they are winning games they might have lost a few years ago," Lordan reflected.

"We have some good young fellas coming through, and with the older players, everyone is fighting for places."

Several younger players, including Darragh O'Leary, Ronan Sheehan, and Leo Hennessy, who featured on the Cork minor team in its recent campaign, are also beginning to appear on the radar.

"That is only a stepping stone and there is no guarantee they will come through but if they continue to put in the work, stay at it, then they will possibly make it," Lordan believes.

Team manager Noel Sheehan and trainer Joe Delaney face a challenging assignment in the championship as they face a group that contains last year's beaten finalists, Kilworth, Dungourney, and Ballinhassig.

A friendly rivalry exists between the Riverstick outfit and Ballinhassig that dates back several generations but is less prominent in recent years as the clubs have not faced off in direct opposition lately.

"Ballinhassig are a serious outfit. They would be one of the teams you would be tipping to win the premier intermediate hurling championship," Lordan said.

"Growing up, there was always rivalry between the clubs at underage; it keeps you on your toes, and we have fierce respect for them, but bring it on as we look forward to it."

Off the pitch, the club has been busy, too. Their new astroturf facility is up and running, with an official opening ceremony in late summer.

It's another welcome facility to a ground that already boasts two pitches, a ball alley, dressing rooms and a meeting room.

Keeping the grounds in tip-top shape comes with a big price tag, funded by the Annual Golf Classic sponsored by Kitty O'Sé's Bar and Restaurant, Kinsale.

It will take place at Kinsale Golf Course on Friday, June 14th. 

A team of three is available for €240, which includes a meal and refreshments.

It is always considered to be a great day out. For more information, contact Dan McCarthy at 086 6046781.