Annual Dinner & Awards Night

Ballynahinch United held their annual dinner and awards nights in the Primrose Bar, Ballynahinch last Saturday night. There was an excellent attendance and everyone was welcomed by Club Treasurer Johnny McGreevy who performed the role of master of ceremonies superbly in place of the Club Chairman who was attending a family wedding.

In his remarks he thanked everyone for attending and thanked the staff of the Primrose Bar for the excellent meal and service on the night. He also offered the club’s best wishes to owner and former United player Ted McKibbin following his recent accident.

Commenting on the season which was almost at an end he praised the work of the club officials and committee, the commitment of the team managers and players throughout the year, the encouragement given by the clubs supporter’s week in week out and the financial support given by each and every one of the clubs sponsors.

The highlight of what has been a good season for the club overall was the first team reaching the 5th Round of the Irish Cup and being drawn against Premier League opposition in the form of Coleraine. Whilst the outcome was not by any means ideal the team had performed extremely well against a well drilled semi-professional side and the club had been able to take well over a hundred supporters with them to the game which was outstanding by any stretch of the imagination.

As always the awards were all closely contested throughout the season and the outcome was as follows:

Albion: Players Player and Top Scorer – Alan Massey, Managers Player – John McMenamin.

Swifts: Managers Player & Top Scorer – Aaron ‘Beattie’ McCaffrey, Players Player – Ethan Majury and Craig McMullan.

United: Managers Player – David Boal, Players Player – David Boal & Stuart McMullan.
Top Scorer – Johnny Hunter

Overall Club Top Scorer – Aaron ‘Beattie’ McCaffrey
Young Player of the Year – Aaron Cheevers
Supporter of the Year – Robert Creighton

The annual Golden Boot award went to David Boal who despite some strong competition throughout the year achieved it for his historic achievement of BUFCs first red card in the 5th round of the Irish Cup!

Club stalwart Jimmy Brown who was so disappointed to lose out yet again to Robert Creighton in the Supporter of the Year category scooped the Groundsman of the Year/Decade award. He was presented with an antique Ards F.C. shirt signed by the team that previously reached the top flight. Former United star Terry Luring came across it last year and Wilson ‘Chico’ Hamilton replaced the glass in the frame.

Club Notes

The season continues with three remaining fixtures with the Swifts playing at home on Tuesday 7th May against Saintfield United 2nds who they drew 2-2 with last Saturday and on Thursday 9th May against Groomsport 2nds. The Albion have a yet to be arranged league game away to Saintfield AYC 2nds.

The Albion entertained Maghera 2nds at Kilmore last Saturday losing 3-2. They went 2-0 down and then staged a superb fight back with two goals from Albion hot shot Alan Massey but they succumbed to a late winner.

United entertained League leaders and champions elect Immaculata in the last game of the season and despite putting up a good performance they were defeated 1-0.

On Saturday 11th May the annual Cup Final Barbecue and Fun Match will take place at the Millbridge. Full details and timings will be available at the club house during the week.

Club Notes

This Saturday sees all three teams play a full schedule of games as they close out the season.

It is also the Annual Dinner and Awards Night in the Primrose Bar at 7.30pm sharp.

Anyone who has still not got their tickets should contact Steven Jess or Johnny McGreevy. All trophies which have not yet been returned should be brought along to the club house on Thursday night in one piece and polished please.

All players should contact their manager as soon as possible to give their Player of the Year nominations.

Ballynahinch United IIs 3 v 2 Ballywalter Rec. IIs

The Swifts continued their strenuous programme of fixtures when they entertained Ballywalter Rec 2nds at the Millbridge. This was most certainly a roller coaster game which could well have gone either way.

The Swifts dominated play in the first half and could well have scored a bag full but a combination of last ditch defending, great saves and rank poor finishing contrived to keep the score down.

Birthday boy Gareth Bingham opened the scoring when he fired in after 50 minutes but a rash tackle from Paul King gave Ballywalter the equaliser from the penalty spot.

Greg Allison who had played a part in the opening goal was again the play maker for the Swifts second goal when his run ended with McCaffrey executing a neat finish. Again slack defending allowed Ballywalter to equalise and a mistake by Herron left a forward with an open goal and he unbelievably placed his shot wide.

Allison’s pace and desire to pursue lost causes resulted in the Swifts winning the game when he chased down a ball that everyone thought was going out for a throw and raced into the penalty before squaring to Herron who shot into the net.

Ballynahinch United IIs 3 v 2 Greencastle Rovers IIs

Day light robbery was all one could describe the outcome of this game which was played on Tuesday 23rd April but sometimes you need a bit of good fortune.

In the first half the Swifts spurred on by Scot Brashaw in midfield laid siege to the Greencastle goal but it was the visitors who took the lead when Stafford spilled a cross and a forward slid the ball into the empty net. The equaliser came on the half hour mark when Brashaw chipped the ball through to McCaffrey and he took it on the chest before shooting calmly past the keeper.

The visitors took the lead shortly afterwards when a free kick was driven into the six yard box for Ross Hayes to deflect it into the net for an own goal.

Just before half time Scot Brashaw equalised when he guided a loose ball into the net from ten yards.

In the second half Greencastle dominated possession and how they didn’t score is something of a miracle, however in the closing quarter the Swifts came back into the game forcing several corners. Greencastle actually cleared the last corner but as they rushed out Aaron McCaffrey timed his run perfectly to run onto a Paul King cross to head the winner.

The Swifts played another game on Thursday night away to Suffolk and they also secured all three points with a winner from Ian McMullan.