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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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Lotto jackpot 25000

Monday night’s lotto jackpot is a massive €25,000, don’t forget to get your ticket Play online https://tinyurl.com/48ut6zxa Draw will be Live from Art O’Neills Bar Ballinrobe Thank you and Good luck! Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA #clannroba #clublotto

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Work set to commence on Clann Róba development as pledges pass €600,000 mark

Ballinrobe GAA and LGFA have announced significant progress in their ongoing Clann Róba fundraising campaign, with €621,964 pledged to date. These funds will support the development of much-needed facilities at Flanagan Park, marking a major step forward for the club and the local community. The Clann Róba Development Committee has expressed its appreciation to all who have contributed so far, noting the broad support from individuals and businesses locally and abroad. “We are grateful for the strong backing we have received. The funds raised will be carefully managed to deliver long-lasting facilities for Ballinrobe GAA and LGFA,” said club chairperson John Sweeney. Supporters who have pledged but not yet completed their payments are encouraged to do so as the campaign works towards its final goal. The committee also highlighted that the fundraising effort remains ongoing, with continued contributions critical to ensuring the successful delivery of the planned projects. The full payment process is available on https://www.ballinrobegaaclub.com/clann-roba-development/. The first phase of development is set to begin shortly. Work on a new gym to support player athletic development is scheduled to start by the end of October, with the construction of a 45m x 35m enclosed astroturf facility beginning in early 2025. These additions will enhance the training capacity of the club and provide improved facilities for athletes. In recognition of significant sponsorship support, the club’s main pitch has been renamed the Tim Kelly Group Pitch, Flanagan Park. Other facilities will also carry the names of local businesses, The Cummins Pitch, Flanagan Park; and Treacy’s Pharmacy Astro Pitch, Flanagan Park. The Credit Union in Ballinrobe are also delighted to come on board as the title sponsors of the new gym. Additionally, the club has successfully secured €166,106 in funding from the Sports Capital Programme, which will support the development of a second pitch at Flanagan Park. This grant is part of an effort to maximise available public funding to supplement the fundraising campaign. “We are looking forward to proceeding with the pitch development on finalisation of our grant award in the very near future,” said John. The committee emphasised the importance of ongoing support to ensure the project reaches its full potential. “While we are pleased with the progress made so far, continued engagement from the community is essential as we move forward with this once-in-a-generation opportunity for the club and our community,” added John. For further details on the campaign or to make a contribution, please contact the Clann Róba Development Committee or visit club’s website, www.BallinrobeGAAClub.com. Clann Róba Development Committee John Flannelly, Martin Murphy (joint chairpersons), Annette Conway, Gerry Donnelly, Sarah Gibbons, Denise Horan, Liam Horan, Des May, Paul McElarney, Elaine O’Brien, John Sweeney, Kevin Tuffy.

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Summer BBQ

🌭🍔It’s summer barbecue time and everyone’s invited! 🌭🍔 To celebrate another great summer of football for our boys’ and girls’ teams, made possible by our coaches and a wider group of dedicated volunteers, Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA are hosting a fun summer barbecue social event on the evening of Saturday, August 31st. Tickets €5, which includes entry into the raffle . Food and entertainment provided and all are welcome. More details to follow, but for now one to get in the diary!

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The late Anna O’Loughlin, RIP

  It is with great sadness that Ballinrobe GAA Club announces the passing of one of our greatest supporters, Anna O’Loughlin. A native of Kilnaboy, Co. Clare, Anna (87) became an integral part of life in this town after moving here in 1970. If there was a match, you could rely on Anna being there, along with her husband, Christy, who passed away 12 years ago. A quietly spoken woman, Anna often sat in the car up on ‘the embankment’ at Flanagan Park where she studied football and hurling encounters with an astute eye. Afterwards, she would share with players and mentors a thoughtful word of commendation or encouragement, as befitted the outcome. Her loyalty to the club was undiluted in every circumstance. Long journeys to remote venues never cost her a thought, either. Wherever the maroon and yellow of the club – or the blue and white of Ballinrobe CBS and later Ballinrobe Community School – fielded teams in pursuit of victory, Anna and Christy made it their business to be there, an inseparable couple who wanted only the best for the people they knew and loved. Multiple generations of Ballinrobe players regarded Anna with great warmth and respect, and her passing has occasioned much sadness locally. Anna and Christy moved here in 1970, when Christy was appointed to work as farm manager at the agricultural research station at Creagh, Ballinrobe. He served for a period as vice chairman of our club and was also heavily involved in the physical developments of our facilities at Flanagan Park. He played an active part in Ballinrobe hurling club during the 1970s and 1980s. Their sons contributed to some of the best days our club has ever had – a teenage PJ featured on the team that captured our first Mayo Intermediate Championship title in 1979; Brendan played on the 1990 side that won the Mayo Junior Championship; and Fergal was a leading light when we won our second Intermediate Championship title in 2000. Fergal figured on the Ballinrobe Community School team that won the historic first All-Ireland Senior B title in 1991. Brendan was a substitute on the Mayo team that won the 1983 All-Ireland U21 Championship. The family involvement is as strong as ever and is highly valued by all of our members. Anna and Christy’s son, Declan, who also played at under-age level with the club, is a key figure in the club’s ever-expanding ladies football wing. The emergence of a strong ladies football sector in the club dictated that after many years watching her sons star in the Ballinrobe colours, Anna had the great joy of watching her grand-daughter, Ailbhe, shine for the club. Grandson Fionn, who is also an accomplished basketballer, has worn the club jersey from an early age. Declan’s wife, Katherine (Butler), is a former club secretary. The Christy O’Loughlin Cup was inaugurated in 2012 and Anna presented the cup to winning captains on a number of occasions, including to Fionn in 2018. We extend our deepest sympathy to Anna’s sons James, PJ, Brendan, Declan and Fergal; daughter Evelyn; daughters-in-law; son-in-law; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family members on their loss. As a club, we feel acutely the pain of Anna’s passing, and are mindful of the fact that the family have lost a dearly loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Funeral details are available HERE. The club will form a guard of honour at the removal of her remains from St Joseph’s Funeral Home to St Mary’s Church on Sunday.   John Sweeney, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club.      

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