August 2019

Former Ballinrobe footballer, Kieran Cawley, was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame on a recent trip home from Philadelphia, USA. Kieran, who lined out at all levels for Ballinrobe in the 1970s and 1980s before emigrating to USA, was a towering figure at full-forward and midfield. He was a member of the squad that won the 1979 Mayo intermediate football championship, the club’s first win at this grade. An accomplished basketballer, Kieran was an intensely popular figure in Ballinrobe and has maintained strong connections with the town while in the States. He is also centrally involved in the Irish community in Philadelphia where a number of Ballinrobe people have visited him over the years. He continued to play football for the Mayo club in Philadelphia after emigrating from Ballinrobe. Club chairman Declan Corcoran said: “It is a privilege to recognise Kieran’s achievements at underage and adult levels with Ballinrobe.” The event, held in Carney’s Bar and Restaurant, and superbly organised by Kieran’s former teammates Tommy O’Malley and Martin Murphy, was attended by footballers from the 1970s and 80s as well as Kieran’s family and other club members who recalled his feats with fondness. Speaking on behalf of the Cawley family, Gerry, Kieran’s brother, thanked the club for honouring Kieran and made particular mention of Kieran’s former team-mates who attended the event.