It was a mixed campaign for Ballyspallen who although were more than a match for anyone in the league, lacked consistency when it mattered,
They had in Isaac Bird a player of real quality, and while he faltered after a whirlwind start, still managed a return of 1123 runs at 48.83 as well as 42 wickets.
Their original choice of professional Kagiso Rapulana (256 runs at 42.67 and 15 wickets) left early in the season forcing the club to fly-in two replacement professionals for big games - Jurie Snyman and Eddie Moore both scoring hundreds.
Moore helped them beat Terenure to reach the semi-final of the National Cup, but alas they weren't able to take their place after falling foul of the governing body's regulations for the tournament.
They were also beaten by Glendermott in a high scoring Sammy Jeffrey final, while they had a decent T20 campaign, eventually beaten by Coleraine in the Eric Cooke Cup.
Graham Kennedy scored 492 runs at 32.80 and picked up 29 wickets at 13.96, while Stuart Kennedy also had an excellent all-round season making 368 runs at 24.53, as well as collecting 24 scalps.
Others worthy of mention in the batting include Kyle Morrow (287 at 16.88) and Stephen Kennedy (215 at `2.65).
Ballyspallen's attack saw seven bowlers take 20 wickets or more - an indication of the depth at Bridge Park.
As well as the aforementioned exploits of Bird, Stephen Kennedy made it a hat-trick for the family, picking up 22 wickets at exactly 16.
Pushpender Singh had a five-wicket haul on his way to 26 victims at 23.81, while the two others to pass 20 were Dylan McElhinney (20 wkts at 17.75) and Michael O'Brien (20 at 29.35).
The loss of Isaac Bird to Rush for the 2026 campaign is a big blow to their hopes, but no doubt they will be planning to replace him as well as recruit a quality professional.
If they can get the right personnel there's no reason not to think they won't be among the promotion hopefuls yet again.
BALLYSPALLEN BATTING
- Isaac Bird 1123 runs at 48.83 (5 fifties, 3 hundreds)
- Graham Kennedy 492 runs at 32.80 (2 fifties, 1 hundred)
- Stuart Kennedy 368 runs at 24.53 (2 fifties)
- Kyle Morrow 287 runs at 16.88 (1 fifty)
- Eddie Moore 283 runs at 94.33 (2 fifties, 1 hundred)
- Kagiso Rapulana 256 runs at 42.67 (1 fifty)
- Stephen Kennedy 215 runs at 12.65
BALLYSPALLEN BOWLING
- Isaac Bird 42 wickets at 19.48
- Graham Kennedy 29 wickets at 13.96
- Pushpender Singh 26 wickets at 23.81
- Stuart Kennedy 24 wickets at 30.42
- Stephen Kennedy 22 wickets at 16.00
- Dylan McElhinney 20 wickets at 17.75
- Michael O'Brien 20 wickets at 29.35
- Kagiso Rapulana 15 wickets at 15.33
