Goals were the order of the day when Beale seniors travelled to Ballyduff to contest the opening round of the North Kerry Championship on Sunday. However, despite a dream start and rattling the net four times in the first half, we ended up four points adrift after extra time.

Played in beautiful autumnal conditions, our opponents had slightly more of the play in the opening half, but we had the upperhand on the scoreboard, with a hat-trick of goals, without reply from Ballyduff. This coupled with superb goalmouth saves and great defensive work gave us a six-point cushion at the interval, 4-4 to 1-7. The blend of youth and experience worked well for us. However two black cards seemed to unsettle us somewhat and, even though Ballyduff were reduced to fourteen players, we did not seem to capitalise on the one-man advantage.

Ballyduff kicked two quick points on the changeover, intent on eroding our lead. The teams exchanged scores and we were still three points to the good going into the final quarter. Our opponents pulled back with some superb point-scoring and drew level as the clock ticked. We fought hard for the winning point but it eluded us and, at the final whistle, the teams could not be separated, 4-8 to 1-17.

Missing some key players through injury, extra time exerted pressure on our depleted bench. Ballyduff took control and, failing to score, we trailed by three points at the interval. Ballyduff played at their own pace in the final ten minutes. We exited the 2018 North Kerry Championship on a score of 4-9 to 1-22.

Beale juniors received a bye in the first round and play Ballylongford in the semi-final on Saturday in Tarbert at 3 o’clock. Beale minors play Moyvane/Tarbert in the semi-final on Sunday in Ballylongford at 4 o’clock. Our under-21s are also pitted against Moyvane/Tarbert. We play the quarter final on Saturday, 27th October, at 3 o’clock in Ballylongford.

A busy schedule off the field too for the club. It's that time of year again when we are planning our annual Xmas event which takes place on Saturday, December 22nd. Plans are under way also for Beale GAA's Halloween 'Tunnel of Terror'. This is the sixth annual event and promises to be even spookier than ever.

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