Author: Paul Jenkins

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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.

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ANNOUNCE McWILLIAMS-SMALL

We are delighted to announce the signing of 19 year-old striker Conal McWilliams-Small from Greenisland FC. The front man became a regular in the first team at Glenkeen Avenue over the last 18 months, and in that time he has made a huge impression scoring 51 goals in 53 appearances since the beginning of the 22/23 season.

Manager Stephen Small had this to say about our new number 14: “Conal is yet another exciting young player who comes to us with bags of potential. We look forward to working with him and hope that he will thrive in a Ballyclare shirt and push on to the next level.”

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McGreevy Signs!

We’re delighted to announce our second arrival of the January transfer window, which sees the arrival of Lee McGreevy from Knockbreda. Lee is a young player who joins us with plenty of experience in the Playr-Fit Championship having spent the last five and a half years at Breda Park where he made 84 appearances scoring 13 goals.

Assistant Manager Chris Ramsey said: “We are delighted to get Lee on board. He is someone with great technique and vision as well as an eye for a spectacular goal. He has great versatility and can play a number of different positions across midfield or the forward line and we look forward to seeing him in action.”

Lee will wear the number 23 shirt.