AGB U16 Girls travelled to Tinahely on Thursday evening for their U16A Championship semi-final. After a very close league encounter earlier this year, the girls knew this would be a tough game against a strong Tinahely side, who have stepped up a level this year and were looking to make home advantage pay .
AGB started brightly and notched the first couple of scores only for Tinahely to score a goal to level matters. It was nip and tuck then with AGB ahead by 3 as the half ended . Our girls will wonder how they weren’t further ahead though with a combination of goalkeeper and the crossbar on three occasions denying goal opportunities. The second half was frantic with both teams showing real heart and determination to reach the final. In the end it was the AGB defence and goalkeeper that stood firm and kept out Tinahely as they searched for a goal to level. Final score was AGB 2-07 to Tinahely 2-04. This was a different performance from AGB tonight in a game which we probably would have lost previously, but these girls are following in the footsteps of the Senior panel and are showing that when the going gets tough AGB get going. The girls are showing more steel this year when under pressure.
AGB Senior Ladies took on Clara in Avondale GAA grounds on Tuesday in the semi-final of the Senior Championship. Having beaten St. Patrick’s and Bray and losing by a single point to Baltinglass the Arklow girls had their sights firmly set on a place in the final. But the Clara ladies were not to be brushed aside and played some super football throughout the sixty minutes to really put it up to AGB. They had suffered defeat at the hands of Tinahely in the group stages but a victory against Blessington saw them through to the semi-final in their first season at Senior grade. They were justifiably proud of this achievement and threw everything they had into this semi-final. AGB opened the scoring in the second minute with a well-taken point and a strong game ensued from there in. Both sides played really good team football with each girl playing their part throughout the sixty minutes. Both teams had great support and a super game of football was enjoyed by all. Tinahely advance from the other semi-final after a convincing win against Baltinglass. The final will take place on Saturday September 10th at 6pm, in Roundwood. Best of luck to our AGB Senior Ladies.
AGB U12 Girls hosted Blessington on Monday evening in Pearses Park. A really good start saw the girls ahead at half time. Blessington fought back hard in the second half. AGB showed excellent team spirit and with every player giving it their all right up to the final whistle, the girls finished with a well deserved win. Well done to all the girls and their coaches!!
The AGB U16 Boys played the League Final against Rathnew on Friday evening in Aughrim. This was the second time the two teams faced each other, as previously the match was abandoned due to a serious injury for one of the Rathnew players. Both teams were eager to win, and put everything they had into the match but unfortunately our U16s narrowly lost to Rathnew by 6 points. The U16 boys will now build on from this and continue with their Championship conquest.
Our U16 Boys also played St. Kevin’s in the Championship on Monday night away, and finished with a final score 4:10 to 2:12. This match was an excellent warm up for the U16 Boys in the preparation for Friday night’s League Final. The boys played a great game of football.
AGB Boys played in the U12 Football Mini Festival Round 2 on Monday evening and played Carnew Emmetts. For those in attendance in Carnew, they were treated to a tough and exciting encounter the result of which could have gone either way in the end, and perhaps a draw was a fair result on the night. AGB got off to a very quick start, and were leading by 6 points after 15 minutes, and produced some excellent scores. Carnew then took over and and due to some serious pressure particularly around their half back line and midfield, they fought back intensely, which
led to errors by AGB and in turn a number of frees, which led to scores which reduced the margin down to a single point at half time. After the break, Carnew continued from where they had left off and led after 15 minutes. As was the trend in the first half, it was mirrored in the second half, but this time by AGB, and following a number of positional changes at half time and during the course of the second half, together with substitutions, they settled down, and taking over they clawed their way back with some great team work, and actually led coming into the closing minutes,but Carnew rallied once more to produce two more scores to level the match at the
final whistle, to the delight of their home supporters.AGB U12s Boys Team also had a great day out in Dublin on Saturday. First up was a good work out against a very strong well drilled Geraldine’s U12 team. The lads came out of the blocks early and took control of the game with some fine moves from the forwards. AGB created allot of scoring opportunities in the first half however failed to convert the openings created. In the second half the Geraldine’s came back into the game and stepped up their intensity and slowly clawed their way back into the game bringing it back to one point. The full back line were put under immense pressure. However dealt brilliantly with the pressure. In the final quarter the AGB forward line created some great scores and finished off a great move with a good goal to seal the game for AGB. Final score 2:08 to 1:06 to AGB. Special thanks to Geraldine’s for hosting the game in Dublin, the refreshments after the game was welcome in the sunshine.
AGBs All Ireland Ticket Draw took place on Wednesday 31st of August in Pearses Park. Many thanks to all who supported our annual draw. All winners have been contacted.
AGB membership badges are now available for €5 for all Club members and friends of the club. They can be bought in Pearses’ Park or Ballymoney.
The next meeting of the Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney Club Executive is scheduled for Wednesday 07th of September 2016 at 8.00pm in Pearses’ Park.
AGB Club gear is available at great prices. Orders now being taken for Christmas. See gear and prices on AGB Facebook page. Contact Kerry on 087 3287881 to order.
Please send club notes to arklowgaa@gmail.com You can contact the AGB PRO at above email, Facebook (‘Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney GAA Club’ or ‘AGB Ladies’) or Twitter.
