Author: Paul Jenkins

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Tennant and Ritchie Sign

We are delighted to announce the signing of 20 year old central defender Lewis Tennant on a season long loan from Ballymena United. Lewis has made 22 appearances in the Sports Direct Premiership for the Braidmen to date.

Adam Ritchie has made the permanent switch from Dungannon Swifts. An 18 year old goalkeeper, Adam progressed through the Glentoran academy prior to joining Dungannon, where he has been involved in their first team squad, and he comes to us highly rated.

Lewis will wear 18 this season, and Adam 19.

Meanwhile, Orann Donnelly’s loan has been cancelled and he has returned to Cliftonville.

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Comrades disappoint at Inver

Comrades came away from the short trip to Inver Park with nothing after being comprehensively outplayed by Newington.

Right from the kick -off the hosts looked much sharper than their out of sorts opponents. Inside two minutes they came close when a corner was only cleared out to Storey who shot from the edge of the box, clipping the post. In the sixth minute Gerard Walker had to turn the ball behind to keep out a shot struck by Reid from just outside the area. Newington deservedly took the lead on 12 minutes when Storey stepped up to blast straight in past the wall from 22 yards out. Three minutes later the home side doubled their lead. A shot fired in from outside the box took a deflection which made it difficult for Gerard Walker to gather. The ball consequently spilled out of his grasp and Curran was there to finish from close range.

Comrades first threat of the game came in the 18th minute. Michael Mervyn got forward on the right and played the ball into the box to Brian Healy in a dangerous position. He attempted a first-time effort, but it was tame allowing ‘keeper Brown to save comfortably. The visitors came more into the game around the middle of the half but couldn’t find a good final ball. Newington maintained a significant threat and on 35 minutes a defensive mix-up near the halfway line allowed Stuart to run free into the box where he shot across the ‘keeper but saw his effort hit the far post.

Comrades had been very poor in the first half and things didn’t improve significantly after the break. They did threaten on 55 minutes when Brian Healy sent a looping header onto the top of the bar, although the ‘keeper appeared to have it covered. On the hour Comrades faced another Storey free kick, this time he sent a fierce shot in from 35 yards which Gerard Walker had to turn past the post. The hosts remained the much the more dangerous side. In the 64th minute the dangerous Tugman got past the Comrades defence up the right and played a great low ball into the box towards Stuart, but the striker fluffed his chance in front of goal from 8 yards, scuffing it wide of the post.

The visitors showed very little sign of making a comeback. However, they did create a chance in the 81st minute when the ball was played to Lee McGreevy in space just inside the box, but his shot was sliced well wide of the target. A minute later Newington threatened a third goal when they cut through the Comrades defence providing an opportunity for Gowdy inside the area, but his goal-bound effort was blocked in front of the line by Owen McConville. Five minutes into added time Newington came close to adding to their lead when Storey struck the bar with a shot from 16 yards.

Comrades were lucky to end the game only two goals behind, as no-one could have argued with a much heavier defeat after a very under power performance.

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Morgan and Quinn give the Comrades their first win of the season

Second half strikes from Michael Morgan and Conor Quinn gave us our first win of the season after a testing week.

On a day where the weather couldn’t make up its mind if it was summer or winter, the game started at a good pace, with both teams trying to get on the front foot. Annagh United managed to get the early lead after a cross field ball found Teggart free on the left hand side of the box, and he fired past Walker after 10 minutes. After this we weathered the storm, both literally and on the pitch, as Annagh continued to press forward looking for second. As the half progressed, we had a number of half chances, with Brian Healy shooting from distance testing their keeper, and Bryce Gray coming close. Half time score 1-0 to Annagh.

The second half was barely going before Michael Morgan picked up the ball just inside the Annagh half, and drove at the defence, before unleashing a shot that came off the underside of the bar and nestled in far corner of the net. It was the tonic that the Comrades needed, and we started to take control of the battles all over the pitch. In what was a very entertaining second half, neither team were settling for the draw, and on 60 minutes Morgan went on another run beating 3 men on the edge of the Annagh box before having the ball nicked away just as he was about to strike. We continued to press forward with Healy going close. Caolán Donnelly returned from injury replacing Michael Mervyn and Conor Quinn came on for Bryce Gray as we went to 4 at the back. It proved to be the match winning decision, with Quinn picking up the ball on 80 mins and firing it low past Craughwell to turn the game around, scoring his first goal for the club after his summer move.

Annagh threw everything at us, but the defence stood strong, and young Jack Johnston came on for his senior competitive debut in place of Morgan to give us fresh legs in front of the back 4. A late penalty shout for Annagh was rightly waved away, and the final whistle blew signalling our first win of the season, in front of the cheering Dixon Park crowd.

After a stormy week, on a day where the sun shone, and the rain drove hard, the Comrades weathered it all, and took a valuable 3 points.

Man of the Match: Michael Morgan

A big thank you to our match sponsor Fleming & Cuthbert Funeral Directors, and ball sponsor Country Diner Catering.

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Club Statement

The club would like to clear up today’s events and keep our fans well informed.

Today three players requested to leave the club, something that happens a lot at football clubs around the country. I must emphasise the club didn’t want to lose any of the three players, but two of the players cited lack of game time, and considering that we’re only two games into the season we’re disappointed they couldn’t be patient, but we understand that players just want to play football.

As for our captain requesting to leave, it is probably a difficult one for the fans to grasp. Gary had agreed to sign for the new season and was quoted as being really happy to be leading the team into a new era. Unfortunately, another club has since made Gary an offer, and he decided that’s the best move for him to make.

To you, our fans, the club are as disappointed with today’s departures as you are, and we will look to replace these players in the next 10 days.

As we often hear in sport, no one is bigger than the club itself, and we will move forward with those players who are committed to Ballyclare Comrades Football Club.

NIHIL NISI OPTIMI

James Kirk
Club Chairman

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2023/24 Season Awards

We held our end of season award ceremony on Friday 17th May, for our senior teams. For the first year our Under 18 players joined us.

We had a great evening at McConnells in Doagh, with over 100 in attendance.

Here’s the full list of winners:
U18 Top Goalscorer – Tiernan Floyd

U18 Most Improved – Kyle Fiddis

U18 Player’s Player of the Year – Reece Duff

U18 Player of the Year – Reece Duff

Ryan Tweedie Trophy for U21 Top Goalscorer – Michael Leetch & Danny Doyle

Raymond White Trophy for Most Improved U21 – Stuart Doyle

Michael Irvine Trophy for U21 Player’s Player of the Year – Cameron Moody

Pat McCourt Trophy for U21 Player of the Year – Jack Thompson

Archie Boyd Memorial Trophy for Supporters Club Clubperson of the Year – Zoe Tisdale

Supporters Club Player of the Year – Owen McConville

Jackie Patterson Memorial Trophy for Goal of the Season – Declan Breen

McMeekin Family Trophy for 1st Team Top Goalscorer – Darius Roohi

Josh Beggs Trophy for Young Player of the Year – Michael Morgan

Kirk Family Trophy for Player’s Player of the Year – Liam Hassin

Bobby Baird Trophy for Player of the Year – Gary Donnelly

Click on an image below to see the full gallery.

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Kicking Off a New Era at Ballyclare Comrades with £132,000 Council Funding

Work has kicked-off on the new 3G pitch at Dixon Park. This monumental development, made possible through the steadfast support of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, marks a significant milestone in the club’s history.

The project, made possible by £132,000 match funding from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, is a testament to the Council’s commitment to enhancing sports facilities across the Borough.

The Club is one of 17 sporting facilities in Northern Ireland to secure funding from the Irish FA and the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund, which aims to improve and refurbish facilities to create a better grassroots football infrastructure foundation.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating,

“Our commitment to investing in grassroots sports facilities is unmatched. We believe in the power of sports to bring communities together, and this substantial investment in Ballyclare Comrades Football Club’s new 3G pitch reflects our dedication to fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for our residents.”

Business Development Director at Ballyclare Comrades FC, Robert Fleck, was equally enthusiastic about the project, stating,

“This is an exciting time for the club. Over the last six years, we’ve grown from a traditional men’s football team into a community based club with over 550 members made up of boys and girls, men and women, ranging in age from 5 to 35. In addition, the club also has over 50 coaches and support staff.

We’re thankful that the Council has come on board to support this badly needed development, which will have a positive impact on Ballyclare and the surrounding areas. Last year we installed new floodlights and with other work we have brought the ground capacity up to 3,349. We are hopeful that the new 3G pitch scheduled to be completed by spring 2024 will help attract high profile games into the Borough.”

As well as £396,000 from the IFA and UK Government funds, and £132,000 from the Council, the club has taken out a loan of £145,000 to make this project happen. In addition, the club has future plans to build a new two-storey clubhouse which will also act as a community, health and well-being hub.

Pictured: Robert Fleck, Business Development Director at Ballyclare Comrades FC, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper,  Councillor Michael Stewart, Ballyclare Primary School pupil, Olivia Mawhinney, Councillor Helen Magill, and Councillor Vera McWilliam,

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Brian Healy Joins!

We are pleased to announce the signing of 19 year old Brian Healy on loan from Newry City until the end of the season. A forward player, Healy has made 16 appearances in the Sports Direct Premiership this season for City.

Manager Stephen Small commented: “Brian comes to us with Premiership pedigree as well as having been part of Newry’s Championship winning squad two seasons ago. He is strong, athletic and technical and will be a great attacking option as we enter a tough second half of the season.”

Brian will wear the number 16 jersey.