Magee Striving for Further Improvement from Ballynanty

Ballynanty Rovers manager Donal Magee was relieved to get the victory over Regional United in the Limerick District Premier Division on Sunday. Having fallen behind, ‘Balla had to be resolute and scored three unanswered goals to set up the win. Following back to back league defeats before the cup games, Magee was happy to be back on track.

It was good to get the three points. We needed it after losing the last two games closely and we probably should have got something out of both of those games but we didn’t.

Delighted with the three points as it brings us back into third behind the two teams above us in Fairview and Pike. I’m still disappointed that we are conceding goals. We were so much better last year with our goals against ratio but other than that I’m delighted with the three points.

As previously mentioned, Ballynanty suffered two defeats to title rivals Pike Rovers and Aisling Annacotty over a four day period at the end of September. Magee feels that the side had not settled at that stage and hopes the team can learn from mistakes made.

“At the time we were still getting our team together and had a lot of injuries. It was just the manner of the defeats that was disappointing. I’m not trying to take anything away from the Aisling game. They scored a great goal at the end.

But my view would be why was he allowed have a free shot at the end? It’s junior football and we were beaten on the day. We will try to improve and make sure we aren’t caught in the same way again. The lads are working hard and we have had good numbers at training.”

Ballynanty have announced some eye catching signings in recent weeks. Four of this year’s Limerick FC squad are now on the books for the season and Magee believes the connection each player had to the club, outside of Connor Ellis, is important.

It’s good to have the experience. It’s also great to have people who have previous experience with Ballynanty. Red trained with us last year so it was great to get him on board. With Connor (Ellis) we were very lucky and he was the first one.

We had a contact and we called him and asked him to come along and he said would. Jason has always played with Ballynanty at junior level and was our captain last season so it’s great to get him back.

He wanted to play League of Ireland and he got the opportunity to do that and decided to come back. I believe Shaun (Kelly) played with Ballynanty two years ago as well so these players have a history with the club so it was great to be able to attract them.

The northside club will be desperate to win silverware this season and one realistic chance will be the Touhy Cup. The re-scheduled game with Mungret Regional will take place at Jackman Park this coming Thursday (7pm). Magee is aware of the dangers that Eddie Storan’s team can produce.

We played them before in the league already. I felt we were fortunate enough to come away with the result that night. We were struggling a bit and had a few injuries.

They are a very fit team and full of running. I dont look at any results teams have achieved previously. I treat every team with the same amount of respect. I do know that Mungret Regional are a good young side. On your day if you don’t approach it with the right attitude, you are going to get caught.

Ballynanty have drawn Fairview Rangers in the third round of the Munster Junior Cup which will mean that one of Limerick’s big hopefuls for the provincial competition will be eliminated early on.

Magee beleves that seeding should take place in the Limerick prelimary rounds but is excited by the challenge of overcoming Fairview.

Yeah I believe that there should be seeding in some of the cup competitions. For the lower teams I believe it should be seeded and if they come through that then they deserve a crack at a premier team.

It’s not for me to make a judgement on that but there is nothing to be gained for either team getting beatings of 7 or 7-0 or possibly higher as we have seen. I think its a waste of time to be honest with you. It’s not good for the opposition and it’s no good for your own players.

On the Fairview game itself, Magee stated;

“I’m looking forward to the Fairview game. There are two very good teams wtith one going out early and that’s just cup football.

I cant wait as I love those games. It is a test of where your team is and where your club are going. Are you going in the right direction or not? It’s amateur football and anything can happen on the day. Whoever wants it more will win. “