Club History Series

Club member Liam Horan is compiling Club History Video Series on Facebook. Here are the episodes to date – you don’t need to be a member of Facebook to view them, just click the link: Imminent: The Ballinrobe v The Neale rivalry of the late 1970s, early 1980s. We’ve started flying a few kites for that already see HERE Episode 9, 1950s and 1960s revisited – The McSweeney family spent about 16 years in Ballinrobe in the 1950s and the 1960s. David and Dan played with the club and father, Denis, was very influential in the purchase and development of Flanagan Park. All three were mentioned in previous episodes and we were delighted to track down David for this episode. We are joined by Michael Coyne, Billy Horan and James Bradley. We also pay tribute to the late Gerry Fahy, who died suddenly earlier this week, and who was centrally involved in so many great football successes (male and female) in Ballinrobe CBS and Ballinrobe Community School Episode 8, South Mayo Junior Championship win, 1971 – guests Michael Coyne, Noel Galvin and Tommy O’Malley recall the historic year of 1971, when we won the South Mayo Junior title for the first time since 1958. Lots of good memories and newspaper reports on the three big games of that year against Kilmaine (South sem-final, Irishtown (South final) and Ardnaree Sarsfields (Mayo semi-final, where we came acropper) Episode 7, Flanagan Park 2 – major developments – guests Michael Coyne, John Gilrane and Sean Murphy reflect on major developments at Flanagan Park since the 1970s. It’s about the venue, but it’s really about the people. Some of the pictures are obscured in the video, you can see them HERE  Episode 6, the purchase of Flanagan Park – guests Michael Coyne, Billy Horan and Jim McHugh, all members of the original committee that purchased and developed Flanagan Park in the early 1960s. Plus current Pitch Officer David Walsh, who has some breaking news.  Episode 5, 1979 Mayo Intermediate title – our first intermediate championship. Interviewees are Tommy O’Malley, Geoff Diskin, Denis Conroy and Padraic Costello. Some of the pictures are obscured in the video, you can see them HERE  Episode 4, 1886 to 1969 – interview 4 with Michael Coyne + pictures Episode 3, 1960s – interview 3 with Michael Coyne + pictures Episode 2, 1950s – interview 2 with Michael Coyne, replete with pictorial records Episode 1, 1950s – interview 1 with Michael Coyne   Watch social media for further details. Liam is on the look-out for photographs and other memorabilia. And he is open to suggestions as to who he should interview as well as we set about joining the dots in the club history. All photos from the full history series can be downloaded HERE   Other videos that capture the past: 2020 short interview with Tom Treacy (1953 All-Ireland Minor winner and Ballinrobe star over many years); Tribute show to the late Kieran Cawley 2020;  Tribute by Michael Coyne to the late Joe Jennings 2020.

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Mission: Slimpossible! overview

Three clubs. 20 people per club. Battling it out in Mission: Slimpossible! – a weight-loss, health and fitness campaign. Ballinrobe GAA v Ballinrobe RFC v Ballinrobe Town AFC Sponsored by Motivation Weight Management Stay tuned here for updates. Finishes Friday, March 14th, when all will be revealed at the final night in aid of Friends of Grace.

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Public folder for club news

Ballinrobe GAA Club now has a Public Folder where we keep our Weekly Club Updates, and other info such as pictures, audio, and the like. This folder is updated a number of times per week (it saves us having to upload everything to the website, which can be time-consuming.) To access this folder, all you have to do is click HERE. You should also keep an eye on the club’s other Communication Points: Twitter – @ballinrobegaa Facebook Audioboo Google Calendar – access this via our club website, or through our email for this Calendar, ballinrobegaaclub@gmail.com. Overall, the club site – www.ballinrobegaaclub.com – is maintained up to date so it’s a good place to look for news.

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Ballinrobe minor team of 2006 celebrate 20-year reunion

Flannery’s was the venue on Saturday, April 4, as the Ballinrobe Minor team of 2006 gathered to mark the 20th anniversary of a memorable season. It was a great night with a strong turnout of players and mentors, as the group came together to catch up and reflect on a year that saw them win both the South Mayo and Mayo Minor B Championships. Captain Donal Vaughan, manager Kevin Gilrane and mentor Tommy O’Malley spoke about the team’s success and the strong bond that remains. The team photograph taken in the minutes after the 2006 final win was also recreated on the night, with those present reproducing the image as closely as possible despite a few absentees. The 2006 minor team supplied a large number of players to the 2007 U21 team that won the South Mayo U21 Championship (Brennan Cup) and the Mayo U21 B Championship. 2006 match day photo Front row, left to right: Tommy O’Malley (selector), Conor Keane, Cathal Flannelly, Robert O’Connor, Diarmuid Finnerty, Donal Vaughan, Ray McGreal, James O’Malley, Conor Owens, Shane Owens. Back row, left to right: Tom Finnerty (selector), Sean Maloney, Sean Burke, Marc Healy, Christy Burke, David Harney, Kevin Keane, Eamon Finnerty, David McDonnell, Dean Costello, Kevin Gilrane (manager). 2026 reunion photo Front row, left to right: Tommy O’Malley (selector), Conor Keane, Cathal Flannelly, Robert O’Connor, Diarmuid Finnerty, Donal Vaughan, Ray McGreal, Conor Owens, Shane Owens. Back row, left to right: Tom Finnerty (selector), Sean Maloney, Sean Burke, Marc Healy, Christy Burke, David Harney, Kevin Keane, David McDonnell, Dean Costello, Kevin Gilrane (manager). Unavoidably absent: James O’Malley and Eamon Finnerty. It was a very enjoyable evening and marked a fitting tribute to a team whose achievements have stood the test of time.    

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Ballinrobe Community School given warm welcome after historic All-Ireland triumph

Ballinrobe Community School’s All-Ireland Senior C champions were welcomed home on Tuesday evening, just hours after their 3-9 to 0-4 victory over St Anne’s (Tipperary) in the final in Glenamaddy. A large crowd gathered in the school gym to mark the occasion. The scale of support for the team was evident well beyond the venue itself. As the players made their way from Claremorris, they were met by a reception hosted by Hollymount LGFA, with bonfires lighting up points along the route to Ballinrobe. The sizeable cavalcade completed two laps of Ballinrobe, cheered on by supporters who came out to acknowledge the achievement. The official reception took place in Ballinrobe Community School and featured supporters from all six clubs represented on the panel – Hollymount, Kilmaine, Ballinrobe, The Neale, Clonbur and Tourmakeady. MC was Liam Horan, with speakers include Nicola Macken, Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA; school principal Julie Ann Collins; coach Ruth Donnellan; manager Sinead Stagg, an All-Ireland winner with Ballinrobe in the 1990s, and team captain Ali Hughes. Each member of the panel and backroom team was introduced individually to the crowd, before lifting the cup in turn. Acknowledgement was given to the group who organised the event at short notice – Deirdre Burke, Annette Conway, Leah Jennings, Nicola Macken, Sean McCormack, Matthew McCormack, Anthony McCormack, Lorraine Grimes, Elaine O’Brien, Sarah Gibbons and Liam Horan. Special thanks was reserved for Deirdre Burke for her role liaising between the school and the organising committee. Cummins & Sons Homevalue (trailer), Martin O’Connor (sound and music) and local media were all acknowledged for their support. Recognition was also given to An Garda Síochána and stewards from Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA. Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA Club Radio’s contribution was noted, with Aoife Donnelly and Padraic Costello Snr on commentary duty for the final, while Leah Jennings streamed the homecoming on the club’s Facebook page.

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Live audio commentary of All-Ireland schools semi-final

Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA are proud to support our local school, Ballinrobe Community School, as they compete in the PPS Ladies Senior C Semi-Final. Padraic Costello Snr will provide live audio commentary of the match on our Facebook page so supporters at home and abroad can follow all the action. Match Details Ballinrobe Community School vs Dominican College, Fortwilliam 📅 Friday, 6th March 📍 Ballyshannon, Donegal 🕑 Throw-in: 2:00pm This is a fantastic achievement for the players and management, and the entire Ballinrobe community is behind them.  Support the girls as they aim for a place in the final. Best of luck to Ballinrobe Community School from everyone at Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA.

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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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Éilis Maloney, RIP

It is with deep sadness that we learned over the weekend of the sudden passing of a prominent and much-loved member of Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA Club, Éilis Maloney. Éilis represented the club with distinction as a player, first at underage level for many years and, over the last three years, as a leading adult player. Éilis started her football career with Ballinrobe and moved on to play for The Neale when ladies football in Ballinrobe went into abeyance for a number of years. In our neighbouring club, too, she was a valued and valuable member, as she was in Coláiste Muire in Tourmakeady, where she played her schools football.

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The late Seamus Langan, RIP

  Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA Club 14 December 2024 Seamus Langan, who passed away this week in Ennis, Co. Clare, was a distinguished footballer for Ballinrobe GAA Club and Ballinrobe CBS in the 1950s. He was a member of the club team that won the 1958 Mayo Junior Football Championship title. That year, he played in goal in the South Mayo final win over Kilmaine and in the county semi-final triumph over Achill. The county final versus Charlestown proved to be quite the saga – the first meeting was abandoned due to the sudden death of a Charlestown player’s father on the sideline; the second clash was a draw; and Ballinrobe finally won the third meeting in the month of December. Seamus played in the first two finals, but injury ruled him out of the decisive third game. That injury was to later put an end to his days as a footballer, but he retained a strong interest in the fortunes of our club and Mayo teams.

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