Páirc de Staic was the venue for the North Kerry Intermediate Cup final between Beale juniors and Ballydonoghue B on Saturday afternoon. Played in ideal conditions, the game provided lots of entertainment and excitement and the teams could not be separated at the final whistle.  

Ballydonoghue had the brighter start with an excellent point and shortly after we replied. We exchanged further points from frees. Sixteen minutes in, we won a Ballydonoghue kick out and made no mistake finishing low to the net. Both sides were guilty of poor finishing and we went into a more defensive mode. Despite our great efforts, Ballydonoghue came back to level the game. We composed ourselves before the short whistle and went in at the break with a two-point advantage, 1-4 to 0-5. 

Ballydonoghue were first off the mark on the changeover and we had a swift response. A further three unanswered points by Ballydonoghue gave them a one-point lead. Both teams had scoring chances but were guilty of rash finishing. We were reduced to fourteen with a black card offence. As the clock ticked, we levelled. In a nail-biting finish, both teams grappled to find a winner and the full-time whistle went with both sides level, Beale 1-6, Ballydonoghue 0-9. 

We got off to a better start in extra time extra time, gaining a two-point lead. Both teams added points and at the interval, again we had a two-point advantage, 1-9 to 0-10. In the second half of extra time, our opponents pulled us back and drew level as the final whistle beckoned, but we had other ideas and struck for a goal when a high ball into the Ballydonoghue square broke.  

It looked like victory was ours but from the kickout, Ballydonoghue attacked, winning a free. A high ball was floated in and they rattled the net. A remarkable finish to an exciting game of football as both teams have it all to do again. The final score read, Beale 2-9, Ballydonoghue 1-12.  

Our hopes of a North Kerry double are still alive! We had the upper hand on Duagh in the North Kerry League a few weeks back and our lads will be pulling out all the stops in the replay to bring more silverware back to the seaside. We await details of the replay.  

Beale lined out as: Tommy O’Neill (c), Andrew O’Connor, Podge Holly, Darragh Hanrahan, John Martin Horgan, Joe Finch, Daithi Toomey, Daniel Hayes, Shane Joy, Barry O’Neill, Callum McSweeney, Bernard O’Callaghan, James McMahon, Barry O’Mahony and Eric Daly. Substitutes, Barry Ryan for John Martin Horgan, Seân Maloney for Calum McSweeney, Rory Mulvihill for Barry O’Mahony, John Martin Horgan for Bernard O’Callaghan (inj), John Blake, Mark Hennessy, Colm Carolan, Philip Hornyak, Thomas Pierce, Jack O’Sullivan, Aaron Kelly, David Hennessy and Dermot Cummins. 

A date for your calendar! Strictly Come Dancing is back! Strictly takes place on Friday, December 30th, in The Tinteán. A great night’s entertainment is planned for what promises to be the event of the festive season. Tickets are now available from the dancers, Bunker Bar, Railway Bar and Joyce’s Newsagents. 

The dancers deserve a special word of thanks for stepping forward and tripping the light fantastic for this great social occasion. With just a few weeks to go, they are being put through their paces by dance instructor, Jackie O'Mahony. A sincere thank you to Jackie from Jackie O'Mahony School of Performing Arts, who has been part of Beale’s Strictly from our first year in 2015. 

The Annual General Meeting of Beale GAA took place recently.. The following are the officers and committee members: President, Pat Lynch; Vice-Presidents, Robert Stack, Tim Buckley, Jimmy Buckley, Mike Joyce and Tommy Allen; Vice-chairperson, John Hannan; Secretary, Bríd Griffin; Assistant Secretary, Maurice Mannix; Treasurer, Colm Kissane; Registrar, Debbie Hannan; PRO, Bríd Griffin; Coaching Officer, Gearóid O’Connor; Irish Language and Cultural Officer, Claire O’Mahony; Children’s Officer, Denis Kennelly and Players’ Representative, Ian Mannix. Members of the Executive Committee are Fergus Stack, Jake O’Connell, John Farrell, John Dee, John Hennessy, Johnny O’Sullivan, Mike O’Connell, Nóirín Hitchen, Pat Carolan and Paudie Mulvihill. 

There was no jackpot winner and no match-3 winners in this week’s Beale Lotto which took place in The Feale Bar on Sunday night. Numbers drawn were 5, 16, 18 and 25. Lucy Dip winners each won €25: Seán Griffin and Berkie Browne (online), Diarmuid Lawlor and John Larkin. Mike Purtill won 5 Free tickets.   

Next week’s jackpot is €2,250. The draw takes place in Courtney’s Bar on Sunday night at 9 o’clock. Tickets, €2 each or 3 for a fiver, are available in Joyce’s Newsagents and in the local pubs. A huge ‘míle buíochas’ to everyone who supports and promotes the Beale Lotto. 

Play online by downloading the Clubforce app or simply click the link on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages or log onto https://clubforce.com/clubs/beale-gaa-kerry/. All online entries must be registered by 6.00pm on the day of the draw – entries after 6.00pm will be entered in the next draw. 

Join us for a game of 41 in The Bunker on Friday nights. A great social occasion! Meet at 9 o’clock. Everyone welcome.