Ballyduff A.F.C.

⚽️ Success at the Neasa O’Brien Memorial Tournament – U12 Girls ⚽️

What a tournament for our Ballyduff AFC U12 girls this morning at the Neasa O’Brien Memorial Tournament hosted by Park Rangers A.F.C.

Two tough games got the campaign underway against very strong and skilful Villa and Dungarvan teams. After a short break, the girls regrouped, found their feet and produced some excellent football.

In the semi-final, we drew with a strong Park Rangers team before going on to win on penalties! 👏

In the final, we faced a different Park Rangers side in a fantastic, tight and competitive game. We took the lead through Amiee O’Leary, only for Park Rangers to level. Holly Whelan then put us back in front, but again Park Rangers responded to make it 2-2.

The game looked destined for penalties, but with just a minute remaining, an unlucky deflection from a corner put Park Rangers ahead and ultimately decided the final.

A brilliant effort from the girls, who showed huge character, guts and skill once they found their feet.
There is huge potential in this group and plenty to be excited about! ❤️🖤🤍

🏆 Neasa O’Brien Award: Congratulations to Reiltin Hayes who received the Neasa O’Brien Award, Reiltin was outstanding throughout the tournament, both in goal and outfield. A thoroughly deserved award! ⭐️

A massive thank you to all the parents for travelling and supporting the girls. Your support is hugely appreciated.

A huge well done to the Park Rangers organisers and a fantastic way to honour Neasa.

Well done girls!
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🔴⚫⚪ One of our own! ⚽

Great goal from former Ballyduff AFC player Killian Harris!

Killian, who is now living in the big smoke, with scored this lovely goal in a recent league game in the Dublin League.

Killian began his football journey right here at Ballyduff AFC, starting out in our Academy and progressing through all the age groups at the club.

It’s fantastic to see one of our former players continuing to develop and making his mark at the next level.

Well done Killian — keep them coming! 🔴⚫⚪

🎥 Check out the goal: https://app.veo.co/clubs/ronanstown-fc/clips/53cd70b4-6e8e-4b07-b0b0-8541cdab45a9/

🏆 TERRY BUTLER CUP FINAL 🏆

BALLYDUFF AFC 2–1 PORTLAW UNITED FC

What a fantastic, competitive morning of pre-season football at St Nicholas Park as Ballyduff AFC and Portlaw United FC went head-to-head in the 17th annual Terry Butler Memorial Trophy Final.

And what a finish! ⚽🔥

Ballyduff took a 1–0 lead into half-time, with Mark McCarthy getting on the scoresheet. Portlaw’s defence, and particularly their goalkeeper, were excellent throughout and kept Ballyduff from extending their lead.

Portlaw came out strongly in the second half and created several chances, but the Ballyduff defence and especially our goalkeeper Cian Hearne stood firm.

With just five minutes remaining, Freddie McGrath produced a superb goal to bring Portlaw level at 1–1.

Both sides then pushed for the winner. Ballyduff had opportunities, but the Portlaw goalkeeper made some excellent saves and shots went narrowly wide.

Just when it looked like the final was heading for penalties, Ballyduff produced a brilliant team passing move in the closing minutes - all the way up the pitch and then Mark McCarthy played in Daniel Murphy, who made no mistake to fire home the winner! ⚽

A huge well done to all our U10 players. We had a big squad today and it was fantastic to see everyone getting game time and contributing to a great team performance.

🏅 Player of the Final: Congratulations to Daniel Murphy, who was presented with the award by Darren Butler.

It was a real privilege to welcome Terry’s family — his son Darren and wife Eleanor — to St Nicholas Park to present the Terry Butler Memorial Cup to our Ballyduff captain, Mark McCarthy.

Terry Butler was a great player and coach with both Portlaw and Ballyduff, and it was wonderful to honour his memory once again through this annual fixture.

Well done to Portlaw United on a fantastic game and we wish all the players and coaches the very best for the season ahead.

A special thanks to Paddy Kirk for all the behind-the-scenes organising of team medals, trophies and the much-needed drinks and snacks!

And a huge thank you to our excellent referee Chelsea Veale for officiating the final.

The Ballyduff players certainly enjoyed the celebrations after the cup presentation! 🏆

BALLYDUFF AFC TEAM

Cian Hearne
Dylan Kearley
Max Sinnott
Daniel Van Veen
Cillian O'Sullivan
Daniel Murphy
Mark McCarthy
Fionn Kirwan-Cantwell
Jason Lee Tyrell
Tadgh Swift
David Power
Kyle Torpey
Freddie Davy
Charlie Alexander

PORTLAW UNITED TEAM

Back row: Freddie Gilman, Ben Murphy (C), DJ Cowman, Michael Moloney, Lacey Power, Freddie McGrath, Louis Barry

Front row: Max Bartolo, Cian Lacey, Hubert Radochonski, Conor Callahan, Charlie Power, Sam White

🏆⚽ Terry Butler Cup Champions — Ballyduff AFC U10s!
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Best of luck to our Ballyduff AFC U12 girls team representing in this mornings Neasa O’Brien Memorial Tournament.
Proud to be supporting Solas Centre
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Come along and see some great football on Sunday all proceeds going to the Solas Centre guests Waterford United F.c 's Maeve Williams and Doyle Shamrock Rovers and Ireland player

🔴⚫⚪ THROWBACK: GUESS THE YEAR! 📸

A great one from the Ballyduff AFC archives!

Our U13 team, with manager John Walsh, pictured together in what looks like a fair few years ago! 👀

But the big question is…🤔 Can you guess what year this photo was taken?

Drop your guesses in the comments ⬇️

And if you recognise yourself — or someone else in the photo — let us know! 😄
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Youths League

Southend 2 - 1 Ballyduff

The Youths league made its return following the summer break with a tough away fixture against current league leaders Southend.

The first 20 minutes were tense as neither side was giving an inch & both defences were playing well. However we broke the deadlock on the half hour mark when we defended a corner well and kayden broke away to play Matt through on goal, who rounded two defenders before finding the bottom corner with a great strike.
Southend continued to threaten but Zach, Diarmuid, Adam, Sam Walsh with Sam Jacques in goal were alert to clear any attacks and we went in 1 nil up at half time.

The second half continued like the first both team giving there all, we pushed for a second while the home side tried to equalise, Jack & Conor were working tirelessly on both wings while Sean and luke were dominating the midfield. However our concentration dropped and we failed to clear our lines, Southend got in to equalise with 20 minutes remaining.

We pushed on again but a mix up from a cleared corner left Southend to break away and go ahead in the game.

With minutes remaining we were denied what looked like a clear penalty but it wasn’t given and Southend took all 3 points. A tough result to take after a battling performance.

On a day when we had good performances all over the field Sean Murphy stood out the most in the middle of the field. Well done lads — plenty of positives to take from the performance.

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🔥 MATCH OF THE WEEKEND! 🔥

🏆 Terry Butler Cup Final 🏆

It’s an all-local clash as our Ballyduff AFC U10s take on our neighbours Portlaw in the Terry Butler Cup Final next Sunday!

⚽ Kick-off: 11:00am 23rd August
📍 St Nicholas Park

Come out and get behind the boys as they battle it out for the cup! 🏆

It’s set to be a busy, exciting start to the season for Ballyduff AFC — and what better way to kick it off than with a cup final!

Best of luck lads!
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⚽️ BALLYDUFF AFC ACADEMY IS BACK!⚽️

We’re delighted to announce that our Ballyduff AFC Academy returns on Friday, 4th September at St Nicholas Park! 🎉

👟 Little Kickers – Ages 4–6
🕔 From 5:15pm

👧 Girls U7/U8
🕕 From 6:00pm

👦 Boys U7/U8
🕕 From 6:00pm

A great opportunity for boys and girls to get involved, have fun, make friends and develop their football skills in a fun and welcoming environment.

Ballyduff AFC Academy – where young footballers journey begins!
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ECLIPSE OF THE SCOREBOARD: Ballyduff Edged Out of Cup by Southend

Division 4 Cup
Ballyduff AFC 0–1 Southend United

With a number of players missing this evening, the eleven players who took on a strong Southend United side at St Nicholas Park certainly deserved more under the solar eclipse.

Ballyduff started strongly and created the majority of the first-half chances. Niall Power was a constant threat, forcing several saves, while a lovely one-two between Niall and Paul Cleary set up Brian Roche, whose effort narrowly cleared the bar.

Paul then saw his header from a Niall cross saved before Niall again broke down the right and picked out the onrushing Noel Reid, whose effort went just wide. Ballyduff also created a number of opportunities from corners as the home side put in an excellent first-half performance.

Southend had chances of their own and took the lead with a goal that appeared to be offside.

Mikey Hearne pulled off two excellent saves in the first half, while the defensive four of Dave Murphy, Dave Carlin, Jimmy Power and Kieron O’Keefe were outstanding throughout the game.

In midfield, David Murphy, Neil O’Sullivan, Brian Roche and Noel Reid were full of running and work rate for the whole game on a very warm evening.

The second half was a much tighter affair. Ballyduff pushed for an equaliser, with Niall again to the fore. Kieron delivered some great corners and Neil and David had chances, while Paul had a chance on the goal line, but couldn’t convert.

Southend brought on fresh legs and created chances of their own, but some excellent defending and goalkeeping kept Ballyduff within touching distance right until the final whistle.

Lady Luck certainly wasn’t shining on Ballyduff under that eclipse!

A huge effort from all eleven players who gave everything for the jersey.

Best of luck to Southend United for the rest of the competition.
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