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Memorial Mass for Kieran Cawley

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

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Ladies team back in action

Ballinrobe LGFA is now fielding an adult ladies’ football team for the first time in many years and the side made a winning start on Sunday when beating Claremorris in the first round of Division Five of the Memorial League, at Flanagan Park, Ballinrobe. The final score was 0-11 to 1-6. Ballinrobe: D Horan; T McCormack, C O’Connor, B Varley; S Gibbons, C Evans, C O’Toole; E Feerick, C Flannelly; B Walsh, E Maloney (captain), S O’Sullivan; S Walsh, A Burke, A Jennings. Subs: R Mellett-Connolly, D Walsh, J Boland, L Boland, S Coyne, A Gilrane, M Walsh, J Tierney, S O’Brien, L Biggins, G Bradley, A Murphy, A O’Loughlin, F Concannon, S McGreal. Manager: Tom Carney.

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The Late Billy Horan RIP

  Yesterday (15 February 2022) the locality of Ballinrobe learned of the sudden passing of Billy Horan.  Billy was much loved within the community and will be sorely missed. Billy Horan was born in Partry and was the eldest of 6. He was educated in St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, and UCG (now NUIG) and went on to complete a H Dip.  After teaching briefly in Ballygar, Co. Galway, he spent the remainder of his career in Ballinrobe, first in the CBS from the early 1950’s and then the Community School when it opened in 1990. When teaching in the CBS he promoted Gaelic football and was involved in coaching teams in the Colleran Cup and Flanagan Cup competitions.  English, History and Latin were his subjects and he engendered a love of the written and spoken word among his pupils, some of whom went on to become reporters and many more to become teachers.     GAA Billy’s love of Gaelic football started from a very young age and his father (Joe) won an All Ireland Junior Football medal with Mayo. He was involved in Ballinrobe GAA Club from the very start of his time in Ballinrobe.  He played corner-back for Ballinrobe in the South Mayo Junior Championship.  From an early age, he was involved in the coaching teams.  Throughout the course of his involvement in the club, he was Chairman, Secretary, County Board delegate, South Board delegate, Public Relations Officer (a post he held for many decades) and Scor Officer, He was heavily involved in the committee that bought and developed Flanagan Park in the early 1960’s. He was also involved in Ballinrobe GAA Club fundraising through the weekly bingo in the old Town Hall and various other initiatives.  Billy was President of the Club and only stood down as President at our AGM last November. Just last month, the club marked his retirement from the position with a special presentation at the launch of our five-year Strategic Development Plan. Billy served as Chair of South Mayo GAA Board and was PRO of the South Mayo GAA Board for several decades.  He also served as President of Mayo GAA. Billy was deeply involved in, and had a great grá for, scór in our club. He  was also involved in Scór at divisional, county and provincial levels.  Ballinrobe were very strong in Scór in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in set dancing and Question Time, and in fact he competed with success in Question Time for Ballinrobe. Billy had a great belief in preserving Gaelic traditions though, as a Latin scholar and noted teacher, he had broad interests. He was also a selector for the Mayo Junior team for a time and also served as a referee for a period. Billy was recognised by Mayo GAA / The Green Above the Red Trust and by the GAA nationally with a President’s Award for his dedication to the GAA. “Billy and the Horan Family have been synonymous with Ballinrobe GAA Club.  Only a few short weeks ago we made a presentation to Billy to honour his long and loyal contributions to our Club.  We will miss his wisdom, advice and leadership, but above all we mourn the passing of a good man whose integrity and vision leaves a strong legacy for us and the next generation of GAA members, a true Gael,” said John Flannelly, Club Chairman.   Reporting Billy started writing the Ballinrobe Notes in Mayo News in 1952. His philosophy was that “a key part of games is promoting games” and that was how he got involved in reporting on matches for all the local papers and being PRO for Ballinrobe GAA Club.  Long before match reporting became such a staple element of the local papers, Billy was an assidious chronicler of matches.  And not just Ballinrobe games, but at all levels, from south Mayo up to national level.   The first time a lot of young people got their names in the paper was either in Billy’s local notes or match reports. Many of those players went on to play for Mayo, the likes of Vincent Nally (Garrymore) and our own Tommy O’Malley, Peter Ford and Fergal Costello, to name but a few.  He was unbiased in his match reports and was very well regarded throughout Mayo for that attribute. Billy did insert pieces for Ballinrobe GAA Club – Club Radio and while a talented reporter, he shied away from broadcasting unless press-ganged into action.  He chronicled both Ballinrobe GAA Club tours to London. While his primary interest was the GAA, he was very good at promoting and reporting on other sports in the locality. Ultimately, the people of Ballinrobe and south Mayo mattered greatly to him, and he afforded coverage to all sorts of sporting, cultural and community events. His Balinrobe Notes for Ballinrobe are in this week’s Mayo News and on Monday, the day before his sad passing he submitted his notes for the Connacht Tribune, which included some GAA Notes. In 2015, the Mayo News honoured him by inducting him into The Mayo News/O’Neills Club Stars ‘Hall of Fame’.   Other interests He loved music, in particular country music, and was an avid radio fan, listening to radio and picking up match commentaries, reports and inteviews from around the country through internet radio.  He loved local radio in Mayo and around the country and followed GAA where people he know were involved very closely.   He watched football religiously, and right up to last weekend was watching with great interest the televised National Football League matches.  Billy loved horse racing and followed it closely. He was a member of the Ballinrobe Race Committee and thrilled to the buzz of the Racecourse on Raceday, meeting and conversing with trainers and jockeys.  He didn’t bet much, but on occasion, after watching a horse that caught his attention over 7 or 8 race meets, he’d have a calculated flutter, often with spectacular success though the wager might be modest. Billy

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Ballinrobe GAA Club Launches its Strategic Development Plan 2021 – 2022

  ‘New goals and aspirations’ as Ballinrobe GAA Clublaunches its five-year plan Past glories, current hopes, and future aspirations all blended together on Saturday night last (January 29th), as Ballinrobe GAA Club celebrated the launch of its Strategic Development Plan 2021-2025. You can view the plan HERE Delayed in its finalisation due to COVID-19, the plan was finally unveiled at the first formal indoor gathering of club members in almost two years, at Ballinrobe Racecourse. The chairperson of the Steering Committee that oversaw the development of the plan, Denise Horan, remarked that the lifting of COVID restrictions provided the ideal backdrop to the launch of the plan. “Its a time of joy and hope – a perfect time to start a new chapter in our club, to set out new goals and aspirations,” she said. Developed over an 18-month period by five sub-committees led by chairpersons Colm Jennings, Declan O’Loughlin, Donal McCormack, Paul McElarney, Mike Finnerty and Elaine O’Donnell, the plan sets out ambitions across all areas of the club, from coaching and games development, to finance and fundraising, and facilities development. Though the ‘thinking, research and consideration of ideas was broad and deep’, Denise Horan noted, a deliberate decision was made to condense the initial long list of recommendations to a set that was ‘small, but meaningful; aspirational, but clear and simple’. The 24 final recommendations that made the plan reflect this considered approach. The event, hosted by Liam Horan and broadcast live to over 400 followers on the club’s Facebook page, traced the proud history of the club from its early days (recalled memorably byclub historian Mike Coyne), through to its successes of last year, in boys’ and ladies’ underage competitions. Newly-appointed intermediate team manager – and former Mayo full-back – Peter Ford, a native of Ballinrobe, also spoke, recalling his playing days with the club, the highs of his previous stint as manager over 20 years ago and his excitement about the season ahead. “I wasn’t involved with any team last year and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be again. But when I was approached about the Ballinrobe job and when I started having conversations with some of the guys involved, it was like a drug that took hold again,” he said.   The long and loyal service of club stalwart Billy Horan – who recently marked 70 years covering Gaelic games for the local papers – was also recognised on the night, with club chairman John Flannelly making a special presentation to a man who ‘has been a leader within the club since the 1950s – as player, coach, chairman, PRO, President and South and County Board delegate’. Encouraging everyone to get behind the new club plan, John highlighted that there is ‘a role for everyone in Ballinrobe GAA Club’. “Sometimes people think they have nothing to contribute, but there is something everyone can do. No matter how small it seems, it all matters because it takes the whole community to keep the club going,” he said. Entertainment was provided in the form of traditional music and sean-nós dancing, ably performed by underage club members Rachel Gallagher, Ethan Tierney, Roisin and Katie Yates, Jamie and Billy Donnellan and Aoibhinn and Caitlin Cummins, under the tutelage of Chloe Feeney of the Chloe Feeney School of Music

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Former Ballinrobe club secretary bereaved

  Well-known political figure Noel Treacy, Clough, Gurteen, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, who passed away this week, was a brother of Marian Treacy, secretary of Ballinrobe GAA Club for several years during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Marian, a member of the staff of the Bank of Ireland in Ballinrobe, was deeply involved in the club’s activities and built many enduring friendships in this locality. The club extends heartfelt sympathy to Marian and the Treacy family. The former Fianna Fáil TD was a junior minister in several departments over his three-decade career. He also served as chairperson of Galway GAA. During his younger days, he worked as an auctioneer in Ballinrobe Livestock Mart each Wednesday. Mr Treacy is survived by his adoring wife Mary; his heartbroken children Joan, Emer, Lisa and Rory; his grandchildren Juliet, Ciarán, Saoirse, Dáithí, Sadie, James and Jack; sisters Marian and Nóirín Byrne, his sons-in-law Paul Hogan, Kevin Lally and Gareth Roddy, Rory’s fiancée Maria, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, extended family and his many great friends. He was predeceased by his sister Carmel Lambe and his parents Martin and Margaret. Full funeral details are published HERE Ballinrobe man Declan Varley, Editor of the Galway Advertiser, pays a tribute to Noel HERE, and mentions Marian’s time in Ballinrobe.    

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Registration 2022

Ballinrobe GAA registration will go live on Wednesday 2nd February at 9am via https://returntoplay.gaa.ie/. For New Members we have information below on how to set up your account, create a profile and complete registration. Existing Club Players and Members already have an account with Foireann and can complete their registration via their account. All underage Players must be registered under their parent/Guardian account. Please note the youngest Players we will be welcoming this year will be children born in 2017. LGFA Membership: Please select LGFA for all underage Girl Players, Ladies Players and Coaches involved with our Ladies Teams. If you have any further queries, please email ballinrobegaa@gmail.com Membership 2022 Adult Player GAA/LGFA €100 Adult Student Player GAA/LGFA €60 Adult (Non-Player) €50 Youth Player U18 First child €60 Youth Player U18 Second and Subsequent children €50 each Club Family Membership 2 Adults and up to 5 Children     €230 * 1 x €100 Ticket for Mayo GAA Development Draw   * Entry into Weekly Club Lotto Draw Club Individual Membership Adult Non-Player Player GAA/LGFA €150 * 1 x €100 Ticket for Mayo GAA Development Draw   * Entry into Weekly Club Lotto Draw     New Club Members New Club Member: If you are new to the Club you will need to set up a Foireann account via https://returntoplay.gaa.ie/ . Click on video below which outlines the steps involved in setting up an account. (Please ignore the Covid 19 information at end).     Once you have registered a Foireann account you are now in a position to create a profile. We understand that you may be the parent of a member, and not registering yourself.  That is fine, however you still need to complete a profile as a Parent/Guardian and just follow the steps that work for your household. The first step is to register all those who want to be members. Adding Child: As the account holder, you are covered through the Profile Section. You then need to add your son/daughter and create their Profile to register. Once their profiles have been completed you proceed to membership options. Payment:  You will see a number of Membership options on the screen. Please select the membership option which best suits and make the relevant payment to complete the registration process.

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Launch of Ballinrobe GAA Club Strategic Development Plan 2021 – 2025

  UPDATE, Saturday 29, January: The plan goes live HERE at 6.25pm Club members, supporters and Ballinrobe natives near and far are invited to join Ballinrobe GAA Club next weekend for the launch of its five-year strategic plan in Ballinrobe Racecourse this Saturday evening (29th January) at 6.30.  The recent easing of many of the COVID-19 restrictions means this is now an opportunity for club members to come together. Setting the club’s direction until the middle of the decade, Ballinrobe GAA Club’s Strategic Development Plan 2021-2025 is the culmination of a process which began over two years ago, drawing on ideas and inputs from across the community and further afield.  The group determined the Mission, Vision and Values of the Club which then fed into the objectives of the sub-committees looking at the 5 pillars of the plan.  Those pillars are: Coaching and Games Development Facilities and Development Finance and Fundraising Club Structures and Administration PR, Communications and Community The launch will also be streamed live on the club’s Facebook page. In addition to launching the plan, the event will showcase the club’s recent achievements and link to its proud history that stretches back 135 years. “This plan sets out how we will build on the strong foundations that have served Ballinrobe GAA Club so well for decades and chart the course for the next part of our journey. It’s simple, but ambitious, and we’re looking forward to getting started on its implementation in the months and years ahead,” said Club Chairperson, John Flannelly. Catch the live stream on Ballinrobe GAA Club Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BallinrobeGAAFanPage. Liam Horan will be Master of Ceremonies.    

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County title for minor ladies team

Congratulations to our minor ladies football team who captured the Mayo C Shield title in almost unbearable excitement at the Centre of Excellence, Bekan, this morning. The final score was Ballinrobe 2-6, Castlebar Mitchels 0-10. It took a huge effort by Ballinrobe to win it and the two second-half goals from Abby Jennings, who batted home a Grace Bradley free, and Grace herself were the crucial scores. Considering that this is our first year fielding a minor team in this current incarnation of the club, this is an incredibly important result for the club. Special word of congratulations to the coaching team of Tom Carney and Denise Horan, who have done huge work with this team this year, and Evan O’Brien, who came on board in recent times. Team captain Sinead O’Sullivan accepted the trophy on behalf of the team, and goalkeeper, Rebecca Mellott-Connolly, received the player of the match award.  The homecoming will be at 3pm today in Abbey Street, Ballinrobe – come out to acknowledge the achievement if you’re about town today. Our U12 girls won a county title earlier this season too – onwards and upwards for ladies football in our club. Today also marked an historic moment for the club as we had our first all-female commentary team on Club Radio – Aoife Donnelly (left) and Elaine O’Donnell. They are pictured below with captain Sinead. A big crowd tuned in to follow the  game every step of the way.You can listen to the full commentary HERE            

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County final win bridges 15-year gap

  Ballinrobe’s recent victory in the Mayo U12C Football Championship marked the club’s first ladies football county title since 2006. The team defeated MacHale Rovers from the Lahardane/Crossmolina area in a thrilling encounter at Ballyheane. Team captain Lola Tiernan was also named as player of the match. The ladies club has gone from strength to strength since being reformed in the past decade. The match was broadcast on the club’s radio service and family members and supporters from all over the world tuned in to follow the action. Upon returning to Ballinrobe, the players were accorded a reception at the racecourse. Club chairperson John Flannelly complimented the squad on their achievement and expressed the view that this was just the first of many ladies football triumphs that will come the club’s way in the years ahead. Ballinrobe squad: Katrina Jemeljanova; Roisin Yates; Sophie Delaney; Candice Colfer; Emily Grimes; Rachel Gallagher; Lola Tiernan; Hannah Pecak; Emily O’Connor; Ry-lee Burke; Isabel Tierney; Laoise May; Hannah O’Connor; Sienna O Brien; Bláthnaid Feerick; Réaltìn Burke; Julia Szura; Trudi Donnelly; Chloe Denning; Eabha-May Murphy; Niamh Lydon; Mia Shaughnessy; Blanka Webber; Taylor Wilson; Lily Bolger. Management: Elaine Treacy, Padraig Delaney, David Grimes, Declan O’Loughlin and Declan Corcoran. The management and players are also grateful to Sinead O’Sullivan who also assisted with team preparation.  

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