November 2014

MD Roofing Services U-21 C Football Championship semi-final: Ballinrobe versus Belmullet, Sunday, November 9th, at 12.00 midday, in Crossmolina. Let’s get behind the lads here – it would be a crucial part of the development of this group if they could reach a county final, while representing a significant boost to club morale. There will be a minute’s silence beforehand for the late Brendan Costello. Tribute HERE

Please note the Club will provide a Guard of Honour tomorrow (Thursday)as a mark of respect to the late Brendan Costello. This will take place after Mass at 12.00pm, so whoever is available please wear club colours and meet outside the Church after Mass.

Ballinrobe GAA club regrets to announce the death this morning, November 3rd, of a popular and respected member of our club, Mr Brendan Costello (71), Glebe Street, Ballinrobe, after a relatively short illness. A former player with our club, primarily as a goalkeeper, he was also a member of one of Ballinrobe GAA club’s best-known and most decorated families. A native of Abbey St, Ballinrobe, he played for the club in the 1960’s. Members of his family distinguished themselves in the club and, indeed, county colours over the years. His son Fergal captained Mayo seniors during his playing career including in the 2004 All-Ireland senior final, along with playing in the 1997 final. Additionally he featured in All-Ireland minor and U21 finals with Mayo. Unfortunately, defeat was Mayo’s lot on all occasions. Fergal was shortlisted for national young player of the year in 1997 and was part of the Mayo team that defeated Galway in the National Football League final in 2001, lining out at right half back in a 0-13 to 0-12 over our closest rivals. That represented Mayo’s first league title in almost 30 years. Donal, Fergal and Declan starred in the Ballinrobe jersey throughout their lives. All three brothers featured on the Ballinrobe Community School team that won the All Ireland Colleges Senior B tittle in 1990, with Donal the inspirational team captain at centre half-back. The trio featured in many of Ballinrobe’s adult successes over the 1990’s and 2000’s, including the 2000 and 2002 Mayo intermediate titles as well as countless underages titles and achievements. Fergal later played for Naas in Kildare, while Declan lined out in the colours of Na Fianna in Dublin, playing at centre-half back in a Dublin senior county final, losing to Kilmacud Crokes. In latter years, Donal has gained prominence as a team manager, guiding The Neale to their first ever county junior title in 2012. Brendan and his wife Joan ran a family butcher and bakery business on Main Street, Ballinrobe, for many years. He later took over the running of the shop at Ballinrobe Community School. He had a real passion for fishing and enjoyed trips out onto Lough Mask with his angling colleagues. Brendan is survived by his wife Joan (nee O’Shea, Ceann Trá, Kerry) and sons Donal, Fergal and Declan; daughters-in-law Michelle, Sinead and Cathy; grandchildren Beth, Kate, Harry, Ella, Matthew, Joe, Hugh, and Ginny; sisters Breege and Mary (O’Malley); brothers Fr Martin, SMA, and Seán; neighbours and friends. As a mark of respect to Brendan, the club will hold a minute’s silence at next Sunday’s Mayo U21 semi-final, in which Ballinrobe play Belmullet in Crossmolina. At the funeral ceremonies, the club will form a guard of honour to give a fitting send-off to a man who made a very rich contribution to our club and community. Funeral arrangements are as follows: reposing at the family home, Ballinrobe, this Wednesday from 4-8pm, with removal to St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, for funeral mass at 12 noon on Thursday. Burial immediately afterwards in the New Cemetery. May he rest in peace. – Alan Flannery, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club – Donal McCormack, Secretary, Ballinrobe GAA Club