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Ballinrobe GAA club regrets to announce the death today (18 August 2023), of a much-loved club member and former President, Tony Walkin (85), Creagh Road, Ballinrobe. He had borne the cross of illness bravely for the past number of months.  A man of many parts, Tony was known all over Ireland – and, indeed, further afield – for his love of Gaelic football. He travelled far and wide to support Ballinrobe and Mayo teams and his great interest in people, and his capacity to entertain others, meant that he established firm friendships wherever he went. A native of Ardagh, Ballina, Tony played football with Ballina Stephenites. When he met and married Irene Ryder, a member of a well-known Ballinrobe business family, Tony relocated to Ballinrobe in 1962 and quickly became an integral part of the community, including playing for our club. Irene and Tony enjoyed a wonderful bond, and the club is particularly cognisant of the loss she is experiencing at this time. He opened a business on Main Street that over the years engaged in a variety of pursuits. Tony learned the German language and became a trusted point of contact for Germans moving to Ireland, often sourcing sites or properties in the region where they could build or renovate properties. At the back, he had a small public house. He ran a travel agency – again, German visitors were a key customer segment – and he developed a fine trade in giftware. The business continues to the present day and is now operated by Tony’s daughter Mary and her husband John. Ballinrobe benefitted from his seemingly boundless energy. A stalwart of various local organisations, including the Town Development Company, Tidy Towns and the Town Hall, Tony was at the heart of everything positive in Ballinrobe. His work with the Society of St Vincent de Paul was not as well known as he carried it out with admirable discretion but suffice it to say that many local people were grateful for his quiet generosity at difficult times in their lives. With great affection and even greater sadness, we say “Tony was Tony”. His avuncular personality found expression on the stage as he was a performing member of Ballinrobe Musical Society for six decades. His final show was The Pirates of Penzance in 2020. He served in an administrative capacity on many occasions. Other affiliations he cherished were his involvement with Mayo Male Voice Choir and his lifelong membership of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. Despite all of the foregoing commitments, Tony somehow found time for the GAA Club. He was an ever-present at club events and served in a variety of administrative and management positions within our club, including as a long-serving county board delegate. On away trips to other clubs or counties, Tony assumed an almost ambassadorial role as he engaged with friends – be they new or just-formed – to enquire about the fortunes of the local team. If you travelled with Tony, you were virtually certain that he’d get you into the tea-room for some refreshments before or after the game – people simply warmed to him whenever he went. His faithful companions on many of those trips were his clubmates Billy Horan, who passed away last year, and Michael Coyne, all three of them glorying in the moniker by which their entourage became known – The Last of the Summer Wine, in deference to the TV programme of the same name. Tony’s family also served the club with distinction. Paddy, Peter, Tony Jnr and Mark played at all levels for Ballinrobe, winning numerous titles, while Tony Jnr featured on the Mayo minor team which contested the 1991 All-Ireland final, losing to Cork. Peter, Mark and Tony have worked in coaching and administrative capacities, with Peter serving as club chairman in the early to mid-2000s. Though domiciled in New York, Paddy retains a strong interest in Ballinrobe GAA Club. Tony’s grandchildren have also worn the maroon and yellow of Ballinrobe. In 2015, granddaughter Sarah Finnegan earned the distinction of landing the first score recorded by the club’s reformed ladies football wing in an under-age challenge game with The Neale.  Tony is survived by his wife Irene, children Mary, Paddy (USA), Paula (Fermanagh), Elaine, Peter (Dunmore), Tony and Mark, sister Maura (Ballaghaderreen), brothers John (Ballina), PJ (Ballina), Gerry (UK), Shamus (Ballina), Eamon (Ballina), and Vincent (Doc, Dublin), sons-in-law John, James, Kevin, daughters-in-law Mary Ann, Joan, Denise and Marie, sisters-in-law, 13 adored grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. As a mark of respect to Tony, a minute’s silence will be held at all club events this weekend, including our Mayo IFC clash with Burrishoole on Saturday evening in Newport. The club will form a guard of honour to give a fitting send-off to a man who made a very rich contribution to the lives of our members and to his adopted community. Funeral arrangements are as follows: reposing at his residence (F31 H308) on Saturday from 4.00pm to 7pm. Removal from his residence on Sunday morning to St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, for Funeral Mass at 11.30am with burial afterwards in New Cemetery, Ballinrobe. Funeral Mass will be streamlined live on Cummins Funeral Directors page. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Donations, if desired, to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice, c/o Cummins Funeral Directors or https://www.hospice.ie/donations/in-loving-memory/ John Sweeney, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club

James (Jimmy) Philbin, Liskillen, Ballinrobe, who has passed away peacefully at his residence, was a former Ballinrobe footballer who starred on the club team that won the 1958 Mayo Junior Football Championship title. That win was the club’s second ever county junior title and Jimmy was a tight-marking defender who handled some of the top forwards in Mayo during that period. In previous years, he played as a half-forward and featured on the team that won the 1956 O’Mara Cup. He added further O’Mara Cup titles to his collection in 1958 and 1963. Jimmy had a lengthy career in the Ballinrobe colours and his sons Seamus and Adrian, as well as his grandchildren, all followed in his footsteps. Quietly spoken by nature, he was intensely popular in the locality and his passing has evoked sincere regret. He worked in the Agricultural Research Centre, Creagh, Ballinrobe, for many years, while also maintaining the family farm. Predeceased by his parents Brian and Bridget (O’Keeffe), brother-in-law Jimmy, and sister-in-law Eileen, he is deeply regretted by his loving family wife Josie, sons Adrian and Seamus, daughter Lorraine, grandchildren Leonie, Ross, Ciaran, Ella, Dara, Oisín, Brian and Lily, daughter-in-law Linda, Frances, son-in-law Tom, sisters-in-law Perry, Bernadette, Maureen, Kitty, extended family, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. His remains will repose at Saint Joseph’s Funeral Home, Ballinrobe, F31H289, on Sunday evening, 2 April, from 6pm with private removal at 7.30pm to his home. The funeral cortege will arrive at St. Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, on Monday, 3 April, for Requiem Mass at 12 noon with the funeral proceeding to the Old Cemetery, Ballinrobe. The club extends its deepest sympathy to Jimmy’s family at this sad time. John Sweeney, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club.  

  It is with deep regret that Ballinrobe GAA Club acknowledges the passing of Mrs Mary O’Haire (nee Canny), Mountain View, Rathkelly, Ballinrobe, who was a staunch club member and supporter for many years. A native of Headford, Co. Galway, Mary, a nurse by profession, became actively involved in our club when she married local man Christy O’Haire, a well-known and highly regarded figure in local, regional and national GAA circles.  Together, Mary and Christy contributed to the club in numerous ways. Christy served the club as a player, manager and chairman, and also held the position of chairman of the South Mayo GAA Board. At county level, he was a selector on a variety of Mayo teams at all levels, including on the U21 team that won the 1983 All-Ireland final and the senior side that reached the 1989 All-Ireland football final, Mayo’s first appearance in the decider since 1951. Mary was an ever-present at club games and helped out quietly and discreetly to ensure events ran smoothly. The pair were inseparable until Christy’s sudden passing in 1996 between the drawn and replayed All-Ireland senior football finals involving Mayo and Meath – ironically, Mayo’s first final since 1989. Many’s the club and county player and mentor who appreciated Mary’s words of encouragement and commendation before or after a game. She always wanted the best for Ballinrobe and Mayo, though she retained a strong affection for her native county and enjoyed the banter whenever those great inter-county rivals were set to tackle each other. Ballinrobe was prominent in Scór, the GAA’s cultural competition, in the 1970s and 1980s, and Mary played her part as an administrator in the background. She made an indelible impression on all who met her. The family continues to contribute to Ballinrobe GAA Club, with Mary’s daughters Marie and Chanelle actively involved in the club, and her grand-children Jason and Mark wearing our colours at underage level. That involvement is valued by everyone within the club, given the family tradition. Mary’s son Liam (42), who lived in Crusheen, Co. Clare, and who played with the club for many years, passed away after an illness in May, 2020. Having lost her beloved husband Christy so young, Liam’s passing was another hard cross for Mary to bear. A minute’s silence in Mary’s memory will take place before our Mayo LGFA Junior B Ladies quarter-final meeting with Belmullet; our Mayo IFC clash with Kiltane; and our Mayo U16 D Ladies football final against Hollymount. All of these games take place on Sunday, September 25.  Mary was predeceased by her parents Nicholas and Mary; husband Christy; son Liam and brother Charles. She is deeply regretted by her loving daughters Marie and Chanelle; daughter-in-law Anna; son-in-law Paul; grandchildren Jason, Mark, Alannah and Christopher; sisters Sr. Ena and Sr. Chanel; brothers Fr. Stephen (USA), Oliver and Frank; sisters-in-law Stella, Olive and Josie; brother-in-law Michael John; nieces; nephews; grandnieces; grandnephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends. Solas Mhic Dé ar a n-anam. Funeral details are available HERE John Flannelly, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club    

A memorial Mass for popular Ballinrobe native Kieran Cawley took place in Partry Church on Saturday last. The Mass coincided with the second anniversary of Kieran’s death and was followed by interment of his remains in Ballyovey Graveyard. Kieran died in Philadelphia during Covid-19, and it was only now that his family and friends in Ireland could come together for a fitting send-off. Members of Ballinrobe GAA and Basketball Clubs, led by Kieran’s former playing colleagues from the 1970s and ‘802, formed a guard of honour at the removal of the remains. Tommie O’Malley, a close friend of Kieran’s and a central figure in both clubs for many years, delivered a well-observed eulogy (see below). Kieran’s daughter Alison travelled from Philadelphia and regaled the large attendance with fond memories of her father. She was formally presented with a Ballinrobe GAA flag and jersey and a Ballinrobe basketball singlet. Kieran’s brother Gerry also recalled Kieran’s life and thanked those who had made the memorial Mass possible. Here is the eulogy delivered by Tommie O’Malley: It is a great privilege and honour to say a few words about the late Kieran Cawley on behalf of the Ballinrobe Football Club.  For a family with such deep roots in this particular area, it is most appropriate that Kieran’s ashes are being laid to rest in the breathtaking setting of Ballyovey overlooking beautiful Lough Carra.  Kieran was a noted Football and Basketball player in his youth, and played an integral role in Ballinrobe’s senior football campaigns from 1979 to 1984.   One abiding memory I have of Kieran on the football pitch, was at McHale Park in a match we lost in the County Semi-Final against Knockmore in 1980.  Kieran was exceptional that day as full-forward and at mid-field. I was player-manager the same day, and Kieran often jested with me afterwards that he was one of the few players to ever play in two positions at the same time.  Other than Kieran, there is only one other member of that team gone to his eternal reward, and that is the late Billy Diskin.  Both Kieran and Billy were the backbone of that team.  That team won every competition we entered with the exception of the senior county championship; a tournament we were most unlucky not to win particularly the day Kieran played his heart out at full forward and midfield.  That panel trained hard and played hard; and each made a massive commitment to the Cause of bringing honour and glory to Ballinrobe.  We socialised together and became a remarkably tight unit of comrades.  Kieran never forgot the spirit of that team and could often later recall Pádraic Costello singing the ‘Half Crown’; Michael Flannery singing ‘Joe Dolan’ and Luke O’Malley’s rendition of ‘The Wedding Song’ backed up by the rousing chorus of the Ballinrobe Football panel –one voice sweeter and more fervent than the next.  I was a decade older than Kieran. I had only known him as ‘The Bullet’ until he came to stay at my flat in Castlebar for one night.  He stayed for a full year. In that year, we became great friends, and found out that we had one thing in common, a great love for all things Ballinrobe, especially everything to do with Ballinrobe Football and Basketball.  During that year I also came to learn of Kieran’s honesty, integrity and cheerful disposition; aspects of Kieran’s character I’m sure his wife Gabby and daughter Alison, and the extended Cawley family are very familiar with.  By 1984, Kieran had immigrated to the States and his absence was sorely felt in Ballinrobe.  In 2019 after decades’ away from the area, it was Ballinrobe’s privilege to recognise Kieran’s contribution to the town by awarding him the Hall of Fame Award.  All of his team mates were present that night to celebrate the occasion with Kieran and the Cawley family.  When Kieran got that award it was like old times again.  Bonds forged in the late 1970s amongst that panel remained as tight that night as they remain to this day, the day we celebrate Kieran’s life.  The last conversation I had with Kieran was at Enniscrone looking out at the Atlantic shortly after he received his Hall of Fame award.  The gist of our conversation that night was about the tough times that lay ahead for Kieran.  Even though he was ill, Kieran swore he’d make it back home again within the year.   Covid 19 put paid to that plan.  That evening, Kieran told me of how he had truly landed on his feet when he met the love of his life, Gabby; and how proud he was of his daughter, Alison.  On behalf of myself and the Ballinrobe Football Club, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Gabby, Alison and the all of the extended Cawley family.  Kieran’s remains will shortly be laid to rest with his beloved parents at Ballyovey. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.   Rest in Peace my good friend Kieran.  Tommie O’Malley