Ballymacelligott wear it well as they live for Luke in style

The new Munster Junior champs wore special jerseys in honour of the late Luke Silles.

Ballymacelligott players celebrate after defeating Buttevant in the AIB Munster club JFC final at Mallow. Picture; Eddie O'Hare

Ballymacelligott wore a new set of jerseys for their Munster Junior final appearance. It wasn’t a case of the usual cascade of fresh new gear that flows in a panel’s direction on the eve of such important fixtures. These new jerseys carry meaning and emotion.

On the run into Saturday’s provincial decider, Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa combined with the parents of the late Luke Silles to sponsor a set of jerseys.

18-year-old Luke began the year as a member of the club’s minor panel. A tragic water accident at Fenit in May took Luke from his family, his teammates, friends, and the community.

The new jerseys were handed over in his memory. Stitched underneath the club crest was the hashtag #liveforluke.

The jerseys were superbly honoured on their debut outing. In the words of manager Ian Blake, Saturday's 3-12 to 0-8 domination of Buttevant was their outstanding performance of the year. Luke's dad, Tony, was beside Blake on the Mallow sideline in the role of selector.

“Especially after everything that happened, there was a lot of tragedy this year,” remarked Blake.

“It was a first county title for any of these lads. They had never been in Munster. To win here in Mallow and to be now carrying the Cup back across county bounds is some achievement for the entire club.” 

Ballymacelligott's Niall Collins celebrates after defeating Buttevant in the AIB Munster club JFC final at Mallow. Picture; Eddie O'Hare

The second half saw Ballymac put up 2-8 on the scoreboard and hold their opponents scoreless from play. But it was their opening half that stood out and set the tone.

They finished their half hour into a noteworthy wind one ahead on the scoreboard. Their elements-backed opponents, who had kicked 6-51 across the Cork final, Munster quarter-final, and Munster semi-final, didn’t raise a flag of any description from the third to the 27th minute.

“You wouldn't expect to go in a point up in those conditions. That was a strong wind. You'd bite your hand off to go in three or four points down. But to go in a point up, that was our footing in the game,” Blake continued.

“We lost the toss. You knew they were going to come at us. They had four points after two or three minutes. They had been kicking two-pointers throughout the Cork championship and Munster campaign, that was one of the things we were trying to cut down on. To go in a point up was phenomenal.” 

Their 2025 run will now run into 2026. They’ll meet either of Fighting Cocks (Carlow) or Grangenolvin (Kildare) in the All-Ireland semi-final.

From no adult county title in 32 years to now being one hour from Croker.

“These things don't come around often, or ever. Look at Aidan Breen there, a stalwart. He is 18, 20 years playing. It is his first time having a chance like this. He probably won't get another one.

“Some of these young lads, if they look at Aidan and how it took him to this age (mid-30s) to get here, they might never again get another chance at this. You have to embrace it. You have to enjoy it.”