2025

Ballinrobe’s 2000 Heroes Honoured at Mayo IFC Final

UPDATE TUESDAY, 21 OCTOBER (scroll down for earlier posts pre the event): Ballinrobe GAA Club enjoyed a wonderful weekend of celebration as the club’s 2000 Mayo Intermediate Football Championship-winning team was honoured at the Sunday’s Mayo IFC Final in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar. The 25th anniversary celebrations began on Saturday night, October 18, when players, management and club officers gathered for dinner in Flannery’s Bistro. It proved to be a marvellous reunion — full of laughter, stories, and friendship — as the group looked back on one of the great eras in the club’s history. On Sunday, the focus turned to Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, where the 2000 team was introduced to the crowd at half-time in the Kilmeena versus Moy Davitts intermediate final. It was a proud and emotional moment for everyone involved. Click here to browse 2000 & 2025 cuttings on Google Drive (set to public access)

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Club members takes on Croke Park abseil for Mayo Cancer Support

Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA acknowledges club members Michaela Tuffy, Conor O’Brien and Conor Keane who will represent our club in the Croke Park Abseil Challenge on October 10th, in aid of Mayo Cancer Support. Taking on a 150-foot descent from the roof of Croke Park requires real courage, and the trio have shown great heart in accepting an invitation to take on the challenge at the iconic venue. In the process, they will raise funds and awareness for a charity that provides crucial free services to individuals and families affected by cancer across Mayo. The two Conors are members of the club’s intermediate team who also contribute to club activities in a wide variety of ways. Michaela, a member of our junior ladies football team, has also shown great leadership in the club in recent years. If you’d like to lend a hand – by sharing their fundraising page or making a small donation – it would mean a great deal to them and to those who benefit from Mayo Cancer Support’s services. We commend Michaela and the two Conors for representing Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA with such spirit. To support or find out more, please visit the following pages: Michaela Tuffy Conor Keane Conor O’Brien    

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From 1958 to 2025: family football story continues with double win

Sixty-seven years ago, Ballinrobe brothers Willie and Tony Jennings lined out side-by-side in a famous county final win. On Friday last, their grandchildren were the winning captains in separate Mayo schools finals at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park. Will Gavin, grandson of Willie, captained St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, to their first-ever Cumann na mBunscol Division 1A boys football title in a thrilling win over The Quay NS, Ballina. Earlier, in the girls final, Aoife Connor, granddaughter of Tony, led Breaffy NS, Castlebar, to a narrow victory over Ballinrobe, securing their school’s fourth consecutive title. Back in 1958, goalkeeper Willie and defender Tony played pivotal roles in Ballinrobe’s Mayo Junior Football Championship triumph. The family link between the two young captains captured the imagination of many in the crowd at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park. Will and Aoife are second cousins – their mothers, Edel (Gavin) and Anne (Connor), are first cousins – making the day a proud one for both branches of the Jennings family. A further link was that Will’s younger brother, Shane, played a starring defensive role in the St Joseph’s win. The boys’ victory was a landmark for Ballinrobe NS, while the girls fell just short against a Breaffy side expertly led by Connor. The 1958 black-and-white team photo, still proudly displayed in many homes around Ballinrobe, now has new resonance, as a new generation carries the flame, in colour. Photos (click to enlarge) show: Will Gavin accepting the Boys’ Division 1A cup on behalf of St Joseph’s, Ballinrobe; Aoife Connor accepting the Girls’ Division 1A cup on behalf of Breaffy NS; Their respective grandfathers Willie (front row, second from left) and Tony (middle row, third from left) with their colleagues on the Ballinrobe team that won the 1958 Mayo JFC; Brothers Shane (left) and Will Gavin after their triumph.   

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The late Michael Joyce, Rathredmond

Michael Joyce, Rathredmond, Ballinrobe, who has passed away in his 64th year, was a former player with Ballinrobe GAA Club and a lifelong supporter of the club’s activities. Michael grew up playing football and hurling with Ballinrobe and represented the club at all levels up to senior. He won a South Mayo Junior B Football title in 1988 before injury cut his career short. A tenacious defender, Michael went about his duties with the quiet efficiency that mirrored his personality. Over the years, he travelled all over Ireland to watch Ballinrobe and Mayo teams and was also a regular attendee at big matches not involving the teams he followed. He was a keen golfer, racquetball player and handballer, representing Ballinrobe in all three sports. A former employee of Telecom Eireann, he also represented the organisation in golf competitions. Known for his gentle wit and friendly disposition, Michael was closely associated with our sponsors Ballinrobe Races, where he was a regular feature on race day. He acted as a reliable ambassador for the racecourse when dealing with owners, trainers, punters, and others who frequented the racecourse. Nephews of Michael have all played for Ballinrobe GAA Club down through the years, including several members of our current intermediate men’s squad. Michael’s brother PJ figured in club teams in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA Club extends its extends sympathy to Michael’s wife Maura, brother PJ, sisters Mary, Angela Quinn, Geraldine Conneely, Hilary Flannery, sister-in-law Breda Keane, Assumpta Quinn, brothers-in-law Michael Keane. TJ Quinn, Alan Flannery, Liam Quinn and Tony Conneely, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends May he rest in peace Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam uasal. Funeral details are available here: https://rip.ie/death-notice/michael-joyce-mayo-ballinrobe-587397   John Sweeney, Chairperson, Ballinrobe GAA Club.

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The late Joe (HF) Curtin, RIP

Joe Curtin, a native of Ballinrobe, who passed away recently in Dublin, played a pivotal role in reviving Ballinrobe GAA Club in 1946. He was just a teenager when he took on a leadership role at a time when the club had not fielded a team for several years. Joe attended the formation meeting in Power’s Hotel, Bridge Street, Ballinrobe, where he was appointed club secretary. This was very much a player-driven initiative – most attendees, including Joe, were students at Ballinrobe CBS, united by a shared love for Gaelic football. Their dedication paid off, with the club winning the South Mayo Minor Championship in that very first year. Joe served as secretary for the first three years of the club, laying a strong foundation for its future.

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