History makers Ballinora ready for double Féile bid

MUSKERRY outfit Ballinora celebrated their 100th birthday on Saturday, April 20.

It’s a very special year in the history of the thriving club as they look to make memories that will last the test of time. On that front, it’s going well as Ballinora won the Macroom Motors Mid-Cork U21 A football championship title for the first time ever back in February. That brought huge excitement and a buzz around the parish and those feelings are back as the club countdown to the Féile finals.

The Regional Féile festival for hurling (Féile na nGael) will take place this coming Saturday with the football (Féile Peile na nÓg) finals taking place the following Saturday. These events are set to welcome hundreds of players from all around the country.

Fitting in its 100th year, Ballinora has made another bit of history by qualifying in both the premier 2 hurling and football Féile competitions, with the same panel of 24 players. It has been a great season to date for them. There was late drama in their Cork football decider when a late goal saw them prevail and in the process break St Michael’s hearts after extra time. Ben Hegarty scored a goal directly from a free to claim the title on a scoreline of 3-6 to 2-8 with scenes of unbridled joy once the referee blew the whistle for the final time.

The hurling decider was an all-Muskerry affair as Ballinora went up against Cloughduv in what was always going to be a keenly fought contest. But in the end, the team in green and red completed the second leg of a memorable double. Extra time was on the horizon until Cathal Murphy slotted over the winning point as it finished 0-12 to 1-8.

Ballinora is one of a small number of Cork clubs to win the Cork section of the Féile in both hurling and football, setting up two very exciting weekends for the community, club, players and families. The hurlers are first up, traveling to Clare this weekend, before these same players will go at it again the following weekend in Tipperary.

Team spirit combined with hard work and practice has brought this group of great players to a wonderful accomplishment, and all at Ballinora GAA club are so proud of their efforts given the signs that have been put up around the parish in recent weeks. On the road to the Féile Finals, they were involved in many thrilling games, every player played, and every player played their part, with enjoyment, enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

Team achievements and good days like these don’t happen that often and the many memories they have made together will no doubt be treasured for ever.

No matter what happens over the next two weekends, the future is in safe hands in that part of Muskerry.

The coaching group involved in these two teams consist of Conor Carey, Harry Ormond, Francis Twohig and Mark Hegarty with Karl McCoy team co-ordinator.

Panel for both codes:

Liam Gaffney, Matthew Cremin, Paul Twohig, Oran Kingston, Alex Lehane, James O’Sullivan, Ben Hegarty, Cormac Murphy, Oisín Murphy, Cathal Murphy, Paddy McCoy, Tomás Mahon, Tom O’Reilly, Harry McCoy, Pablo O’Regan, Billy Mehigan, Fionn Murphy, Denis O’Mahony, Brian Murphy, Donagh Conway, David Fenton, Peter O’Mahony, Charlie Noonan, Cuan Murphy.