Friday 6th October saw the first schools’ football competition of the year – the Owen Daley Tournament – taking place at the Ballymena Showgrounds. Ballykeel, in their new kits sponsored by W. Allen Meats, were one of fifteen teams participating in what is always a very popular event.
The teams were split into two mini leagues, with the winner of each meeting in the final. Ballykeel’s first match was against Carnaughts, which proved a tough test despite a flattering 2-0 win for Ballykeel; goals came courtesy from captain Zack Fleming and Calvin Termonia on his senior team debut. There was a sense that this was a team trying to gel and match two was a much tougher test against a very workman-like St. Colmcilles. A couple of errors in defence led to a 2-0 defeat for Ballykeel, though this did not dampen the team’s spirits and they bounced back emphatically with a 3-1 win over Camphill, with goals coming from Zack Fleming and Calvin Termonia (2).
As the tournament progressed, there was a definite sense that this newly-formed team was clicking together, passing and moving, communicating and holding a strong formation.
Two 1-0 victories on the trot followed against Portglenone and St Brigid’s, with an important goal in each game from Marcus Rodgers and stout defending from Scott Irwin and Harry Young. A final 2-1 victory against a well-marshalled Moorfields (both goals from Calvin Termonia) concluded the mini league section of the tournament.
With Ballykeel on 15 points from a possible 18, all eyes were on the league table to see who had done enough to make it to the final against Carniny; it was St Colmcille’s, with five wins and one draw (16 points), who would have that honour.
With a number of experienced players having moved on to secondary school, this was very much a new-look team who had not yet had the experience of playing together before today. Congratulations are due to each player for the commitment and determination shown, and we look forward to the next tournament.
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