By Michael McMullan

IT’S a very different year for the hurlers of Ballela who lock horns with Ballinascreen in Sunday’s Ulster Junior semi-final.

Last year, the Down side had single figures out training on occasions and that’s morphed into a steady 25 most nights.

It’s helped them land the county titles and to victory over Buncrana last weekend.

As the sole hurling only club outside of the Ards, they are one of the smallest in the country with little over 100 members at all ages.

There was chatter of not fielding this season. A year without winning a game and chat of hurls being hung up wasn’t a good mix.

Goalkeeper Gary McMullan was trying to juggle playing with management. It wasn’t an easy shift.

Joe Cosgrave stepped forward as manager to ease the burden. Having hurled with the club the thought of no team being there for his youngsters was a concern.

Andy McGivern came in to lend a hand when travel for work took Cosgrave away at times. As championship rolled around, McGivern committed fully.

He brought in Domhnall Nughent to help with the coaching.

Combined with a squad of 27 players, it was the perfect place for progress. Players liked what they saw.

“I suppose if you take it from where it was then (last year) to where we are now as a whole, this year has been very, very good,” Cosgrave said.

“The numbers have increased; we got a few wins in the league and just sort of built momentum through to the championship.

“We knew coming into the championship we stood a good chance of winning the junior.”

Key player Mal Magee plays football with Clann na Banna. Half a dozen from the nearby Annaclone football club hurl with Ballela.

“There were just a lot more lads that seemed to commit,” Cosgrave added. “A few more came over from Annaclone.

“A couple of younger lads come up through and lads in the background decided to come out.

“The training was decent and that seemed to get them out onto the field. It was just a better environment and a better feel around the place and the lads bought into it.”

Talk of challenging for the junior became more than talk.

“For us to have somebody like Domhnall there, it’s made a massive difference,” Cosgrave added.

“The training, the intensity just went through the roof and the boys were loving it. That was a big factor I suppose as well in being where we are at the moment.”

Two goals helped Ballela into a winning position against Buncrana. A lift off the pedal allowed the Donegal side back into the game but the groundwork was done.

Next up is Ballinascreen who were in last year’s Ulster Intermediate grade. The Derry side put 3-33 past Inniskeen in the quarter-final and are fancied for the title.

Having a team who played in the eight-team senior race in Derry before defeats filtered them down to the junior competition doesn’t rest well. There are other examples down the years.

The Ulster Junior Championship should be for junior clubs.

“It leaves it tough,” admits Cosgrave. “There’s nothing we can do about it only going out and give it our best and we will.”