A busy schedule ahead leading up to Christmas as we prepare to contest two finals.

Beale/Asdee/Ballylongford are through to the final of the Under-21 North Kerry Championship. The combination side had a comprehensive win over Knocknagoshel/Brosna on Saturday afternoon, as the final score read 3-15 to 0-9.Beale players on the team were Dan Ellis, Cillian Courtney, Darragh Buckley and Cormac Linnane. The final, against Finuge, is on Saturday at 2 o’clock in Duagh.

The replay of the final of the North Kerry Championship, Division 2, against Ballyduff/Duagh, is on Saturday, December 30th at 2 o’clock. Venue to be confirmed.

Beale juniors came up short in the semi-final of the North Kerry Championship against Ballyduff on Sunday in Pâirc de Staic. We seemed to have the upper hand on the field of play in the opening half but found scores hard come by and trailed by four points at the short whistle. Our opponents tipped over the points in the second half and their goal made it too difficult for our lads to breach the gap. Our consolation goal made it 1-10 to 1-4 at the final whistle.

After the huge success of the last two years, Beale GAA are again hosting Strictly Come Dancing this year, on Friday, 29th December, in the Community Centre, Ballybunion. 12 couples are taking part in what promises to be a great night of dancing and fun. Tickets, priced at €20, are available from the dancers and from Joyce’s Newsagents, Danna’s Newsagents, The Bunker and The Railway.

Some of our former dancers return to the stage, while we also welcome newcomers who hope to show us a new move or two. Johnny Stokes O’Sullivan and his partner, Pam Meaney, take centre stage again this year, together with Sarah Blake and Corey Meehan, Diarmuid Lawlor and Leesha Meehan, and Philip Julian and Jacqui Crowe who will all be vieing to bring home the trophy this year. James Fogarty teams up with new partner, Krystal Stack, and John Griffin spins around the floor this year with Stacey Meaney, while Thomas McEnery swaps his boxing gloves for his dancing shoes with partner, Linda Daly.

Former Beale Ladies’ chairperson, Mâire Griffin takes to the floor with former senior trainer, Patie O’Mahony, while new business man in town, Garrett Tobin, struts his stuff with Maretta Watters-Galvin. Hannah-Marie Fitzgerald is no stranger to the dance floor and her partner,Fred Browne, has thrown down the gauntlet, as he competed previously in Abbeyfeale. Ladies chairperson, Debbie Hannan, teams up with Colm O’Halloran, as Daniel Hayes and Shauna Goggin will also be tripping the light fantastic. A night not to be missed!

The following officers and committee members were elected at our Annual General Meeting: President, Pat Lynch; Vice-Presidents, Mike Joyce, Tim Buckley, Jimmy Buckley, Robert Stack and Tommy Allen; Chairman, John Hannan; Vice-Chairmen: Pat Carolan, Pat Diggin and Dave Breen; Secretary, Bríd Griffin; Assistant Secretary, John Hennessy; Joint Treasurers, John Dee and Paudie Mulvihill; PRO, Bríd Griffin; Welfare and Health Officer, Catherine Ellis; Registrar, James Buckley; Children’s Officer, Catherine Ellis; Cultural and Scór Officer, Tom Allen; County Board Delegate, Liam Browne; North Kerry Board Delegates, Jimmy Buckley, Maurice King and John Hennessy. Executive Committee members are: Bríd Griffin, Catherine Ellis, Dave Breen, Dino Dowling, Donal Buckley, Fergus Stack, Ian Blake, Jamie O’Flynn, James Buckley, Jeremiah O’Connor, John Brennan, Johnny Stokes O’Sullivan, John Dee, John Farrell, John Hannan, John Hennessy, John Joy, Liam Browne, Maurice King, Mike O’Connell, Noel Courtney, Pat Carolan, Pat Diggin, Pat Lynch, Paudie Mulvihill, Sarah Griffin, Tim Buckley and Tommy Allen.

Beale GAA has been saddened with the passing of Mike Joe Scanlon, Dirra, who passed to his eternal reward after an illness, bravely borne. Mike Joe was a loyal follower, being both passionate and knowledgeable about the game. He supported the green and red of Beale and was a keen follower of the county team. He rarely missed a local match and was in his element during the North Kerry Championship season. Beale GAA extend sympathies to his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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