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Ballymena and Provincial Weekly Round up 27th February 2010

Saturday again saw the fixture list decimated with games called off due to frozen pitches. On a brighter note Thirteen games got played including the Round 3 North West Junior Cup game Drummond United v Tobermore United Reserves with Tobermore recording a good win by the odd goal in seven.

Fermanagh and Western Referees Course

The Fermanagh and Western Referees Association are now asking anyone out there interested in becoming a referee to register for the beginners course due to start on Sunday 7th and 14th March 2010.
The Association will help you from day one with your mentor and you have game by game self assessments, training and regular coaching with development meetings, your not left on your own we are most progressive Association in the Country.

We asking former players to give it a go and one as only to look at referees currently in the Association to show how successful this as been with likes of Decky Grimes, Danny Colton, Kevin Taggart and Wesley Campbell to name a few.

Female referees are require with the development of women’s football and we have Clare Noble and Valerie McManus who currently have refereed three Irish Cup finals between them, so ladies register your name NOW!

Young referees really have a future in the game with likes of Stewart Blair, Tim Marshall, David Anderson, Luke Ormsby, Joshua Porter, John Graham, Damien Maguire and Andy Stevenson only some of those doing well.

The course will take place in the Bawnacre Irvinestown so you can REGISTER your NAME by sending email at fwrefs  don’t wait do it NOW! or phone Arnold on 028 66 387972

nifootball News Writers/Bloggers Wanted

nifootball is now on the lookout for budding local reporters that would like to write news reports, match reports or even if you just want to blog on any aspect of local football.  You can write about anything you like from a review of the weekends matches in your own league, about your team or team mates.  Are you a coach, fitness guru why not help others and share some of your views and tips on coaching and fitness.

Have a look at the Ballymena and Provincial league round up here.  This a very extensive round up that also includes mini match reports on each game, but a couple of paragraphs would be sufficient.

If you fancy it and want to have a chat about what you would like to write about, drop me an email @ .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we can see about getting you up and running.

Ballymena and Provincial Weekly Round up 16th February 2010

For the first Saturday since December 12th we had a full fixture list of games completed so hopefully we have the bad weather behind us and we can now catch up on lost ground.

In the Intermediate Division race view have taken over at the top followed by Brantwood but in the three Junior divisions there has been no change in the leadership.

Referees Charity Collection

This Saturday the Fermanagh and Western Referees Association will be asking the Clubs to support them for National Deaf Children’s Society Northern Ireland.

The referees will be giving a voluntary donation to the Charity and as in previous years this has been their match fee, and the Association Charity Co-ordinationer Valerie McManus has no doubt that members will give it their full support and appeals for the Clubs on the day to also add their support and donate towards National Deaf Children and help make their lives better.

Anyone involved in football wanting to support the Charity should make contact to either Valerie or drop into one of local games on Saturday and speak to the referee at that game.

Referee Reports

The FWRA arrived at Dungannon Youth Sport with two objectives in mind to win the annual 5-aside competion and annual quiz and duly delivered in both.

Football matters first, Manager Declan Grimes had a squad of nine players to choose from with a good mix of youth and experience, in the opening fixture we where up against Mid-Ulster, A good opening performance from deckys boys running out comfortable 3-0 victory with goals coming from Damien Maguire, Peter Connolly and David Hamilton, excellently marshal at the back by Michael Connolly and Roy Beacom with keeper Taggart looking secure.

No rest between matches meant we where pitted straight back in again against Tony Youngs North West outfit. A calm and composed performance from the FWRA seen us record a 2-0 victory, opening goal by player manager Declan Grimes settled any nerves in the ranks and subs Peter Connolly and Hamilton where sprung from the bench just before half time and gave fresh legs to the attack, soon after Peter Connolly gave a good pass into Hamiltons feet and with his second touch thundered in the insurance goal for the victory.

Going into the final match against North East the FWRA only needed a draw to clinch the title the North East needing victory to deny us. The opening exchanges brought a goal for the North East when an uncharchestic mistake by Michael Connelly let in Cecil Foyle for a composed finish beyond the helpless Taggart in goal, this proved to be the spark Deckys team needed to kick start our game, with the temperature of the match rising a shocking late challenge from North East king pin Floyd left player manager Grimes on the “deck” in agony clutching his ankle in pain and leaving Referee Tony Young reaching for yellow when it could have been red, Declan having to be carried off and replaced by sub Hamilton.

With the half time whistle sounding it was all to play for in the second half, the defining moment of the game arrived within a minute of the restart when the lively Hamilton found Michael Connolly with a lovely through ball and the Aghyaran man making up for his earlier mistake with a fine finish low into the corner giving the North East Keeper no chance. The final minutes saw a flurry of yellows for defenders Farrell and Michael Connolly from Referee Young. Decky boys fought like beavers to hold unto the draw.

When the final whistle sounded victory was ours after a great team effort form the lads. Manager Grimes paid tribute to his men for there efforts to bring the title home for 2nd time in 3 years. Well done Declan Grimes, Roy Beacom, James Farrell, Luke Ormsby, Damien Maguire, Kevin Taggart, Peter Connolly, Michael Connolly and David Hamilton for bringing trophy back and special mention to Grimes for all his efforts.

Goalkeeping Course

NI Goalkeeping with be running a goalkeeping course over 3 days in February by Goalkeeping Coaches Alan Simpson and Michael Dougherty at Newforge Country Club, Newforge Lane, Belfast.

All topics will be covered:

*Footwork & Handling
*Correcting your technique
*Diving (low & high saves)
*Dealing with crosses & through balls
*Perfecting your game
*Distribution (kicking & throwing)
*Shot Stopping
*GK Wars
*Speed & Accuracy Test

We will be using a mechanical Ball Launcher & Inflatable Target complete Speed Gun & Accuracy Targets to assist with several of the courses topics.

The fee for the course will be £30.00 per person and must be paid at registration on the first day.

All ages of goalkeepers welcome, boys & girls.

All goalkeepers attending the course ‘Must’ attend with gloves, shin guards, football boots & the correct training kit (including rain coat).

If you wish to attend this course email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ASAP as there is a limited number of places available.

Monday 15th - Wednesday 17th February 2010.
Newforge Country Club, Newforge Lane, Belfast
With Goalkeeping Coaches: Alan Simpson, & Michael Dougherty
Monday: 10.00am - 1.00pm (registration 9.30)
Tuesday: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Wednesday: 10.00am - 1.00pm