News

The late Mary O’Neill

Mary O’Neill (nee Corcoran), Creagh Road, Ballinrobe, whose death took place on Saturday last, was a member of a family with a long and distinguished involvement in Ballinrobe GAA Club. A strong supporter of the club and all other community activities in Ballinrobe, Mary was an intensely popular figure and news of her death occasioned great sadness locally. She taught in Coláiste Mhuire, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, from 1967 until her retirement in 1998. A committed member of the Fine Gael party, she had a deep love of politics and built up enduring friendships with many leading political figures. In 1979, she ran for election to Mayo County Council. Her husband, Art, who passed away in 2006, was a prominent player for Ballinrobe for many years, and also wore the Mayo jersey at under-age and senior levels. He lined out on the team that won the 1958 Mayo Junior Football Championship, scoring a goal in every championship game during that historic season. He later served in a number of capacities within the club, including as senior team manager, and was a recipient of the club’s Hall of Fame award. A number of their children played men’s and ladies football for Ballinrobe, and her nephew, Declan Corcoran, is the current club chairperson. Mary O’Neill, RIPThe O’Neill family have long been associated with the pub trade in Ballinrobe, and their premises, Art’s,  at the top of Bridge Street was a well-known ‘sports house’. The tradition continues next door where Mary’s son Shane and his wife Geraldine operate a bar – also known as Art O’Neill’s – and the venue is host to the club’s 50:50 draw every six weeks. Mary’s son Owen Roe is heavily involved in the club as a coach and fund raiser. Sympathy is extended to her sons Shane, Owen Roe and Art Rory; daughters Joni, Keelin and Nicola; brother Mark; sons-in-law Michael Walsh, Seamus O’Toole, Fergal Morahan; daughters-in-law, Geraldine and Maria; grandchildren; brother-in-law Hugh Red Hugh (USA); sisters-in-law, Philomena, Gertrude (USA); nephews; nieces; relatives; neighbours and friends. Her remains will repose at her residence (F31 NX47) on Tuesday from 4-8pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 1 pm in St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, with burial immediately afterwards in the New Cemetery. House private to family and neighbours. The club will form a guard of honour on Wednesday as her remains are removed from the church to the cemetery. Ballinrobe GAA Club.

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The late Paddy Burke, RIP

Paddy Burke, Convent Road, Ballinrobe, who passed away on Sunday evening, was father of Declan and Adrian Burke, two prominent former Ballinrobe footballers. Declan and Adrian played at all levels for the club, and Declan lined out at right half-back on the Mayo team that won the 1985 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship. He also featured on the Ballinrobe team that won the 1990 Mayo Junior Football Championship and starred in the colours of Trinity College, Dublin, during his student days. Declan and Adrian both won a number of under age divisional and county titles with Ballinrobe, and Adrian was a member of the Ballinrobe Community School team that won the 1991 All-Ireland Colleges Senior B Football Championship, the first of nine All-Ireland titles won by the school in the 1990s. Declan played on the Ballinrobe CBS team that won the 1985 Flanagan Cup (Mayo Colleges Senior Championship) title. Both are now prominent businessmen in Ballinrobe. Declan is involved in the club’s Bord na nÓg section as an U12 coach. His wife, Siobhan, is the ladies football representative on our club’s executive committee. Adrian’s wife, Karen, is heavily involved in our ladies club. Paddy’s grandchildren Rossa, Kyle, Katie, Ry-Lee and Naoise play for the club at various levels. Paddy, who was well known in farming and business circles, is survived by his wife, Frances; daughter, Attracta Maria; sons, Declan and Adrian; sisters, Bernie and Bridget; grandchildren, Holly, Katie, Rossa, Kyle, Ry-Lee and Naoise; daughters-in-law, Karen and Siobhan; son-in-law, Niall; relatives and friends. Funeral details are available here: https://bit.ly/2RLztH5. May he rest in peace.   Declan Corcoran, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club.

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The late Mary Julia Keane

The family of Mary Julia Keane (nee Moran), Lavace, The Neale, who passed away yesterday (Thursday), has made an enormous contribution to Ballinrobe GAA Club. Mrs Keane, aged 97, enjoyed a long and fulfilling life and was much loved by family, neighbours and friends. She passed away peacefully at Friars Lodge Nursing Home, Ballinrobe., after enjoying excellent health almost to the very end. She stayed up to date with current affairs. “She was alive for almost every parliament in Ireland’s history” remarked one of her sons as they reflected on a long life well lived. Mrs Keane’s sons Michael and Dermot are former senior officers, team managers and selectors in Ballinrobe GAA Club, along with being significant contributors to the local sporting and education landscapes as teachers in Ballinrobe CBS and Cloonliffen National Schools. Dermot and Michael both chaired Ballinrobe GAA Club, and Michael also fulfilled a three-year stint as club secretary. Although both are now retired from teaching, their legacy lives on. Indeed, the historic appearance earlier this month of St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, in the Cumann na mBunscol Mayo Division One boys’ and girls’ football finals evoked memories of many great primary school battles and victories from years gone by.  Dermot was a tireless promoter of primary schools throughout Ireland through his involvement in Cumann na mBunscol. The next generation donned the Ballinrobe jersey with distinction – Michael’s sons Micheál and Ruairi both featured on the Ballinrobe teams that won the Mayo U21 and Intermediate Championships in 2000 and the Mayo Intermediate Championship again in 2002. Both played for Ballinrobe for many years, and also lined out for Mayo – Ruairi captained the county to win the 2000 Connacht Minor Championship and led the team out on All-Ireland final day, where they lost to Cork. Micheál played on the Mayo team that won the 2001 Connacht U21 Championship before losing the subsequent All-Ireland final to Tyrone. Ruairi and Micheál also played on the Ballinrobe Community School team that won the All-Ireland Senior B Football Championship in 1999, and Micheál won a Sigerson Cup medal with NUI Galway. Dermot’s son Conor is now a cornerstone of our Intermediate team and, as a sports and fitness professional, he has helped with the preparation with many teams within the club. His brother Stephen also played for Ballinrobe. Another grandson, Diarmuid Finnerty, son of Tom and Patricia (formerly Keane) Finnerty, played on the Ballinrobe team that won the 2006 Mayo Minor B Championship, defeating Aghamore in a thrilling final. His father Tom was a mentor on that team. Great-grandchildren Max and Catherine Humphreys are up-and-coming members of our Robe Rockets under-age structure and have started to wear the maroon and yellow jersey. Michael’s daughter Sinead has served as a physiotherapist for numerous Ballinrobe teams. Tonight’s 50:50 draw, scheduled for John O’Connor’s Bar, has been postponed as a mark of respect to Mary Julia Keane. Funeral arrangements take place today (Friday) and tomorrow, and details are available HERE. We extend our deepest sympathy to her wide circle of family and friends. Declan Corcoran, Chairperson, Ballinrobe GAA Club.

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Robe Rockets Update

The Lough has been the hype of activity the last few weeks with our U6’s playing their first ever practice match. Our U8 Boys played Breaffy in their first match of the Go Games and both U8 Girls and Boys played The Neale. For many it was the first time to put on the club jersey. Our U10 Boys made the trip to Breaffy and played Westport at home. This weekend all our teams have away matches with our U8 Boys playing Westport, our U8 Girls play Burrishoole and our U10 Boys play Ballintubber. Well done to all in Rockets #thefutureisbright  

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It’s a Knockout Winners

Well done to both teams who represented the Club in Its a Knockout at the Green charity event recently. Congrats to the Potting Lads Team who won the Final and donated the prize money of €500 back to Friends of Grace and Tacu. Not so sure about the Dance off performance lads🤣 Photo courtesy of Friends of Grace

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Supermacs Ballinrobe Sponsorship

  A big thank you from all at Ballinrobe GAA Club to Supermacs Ballinrobe for their sponsorship of a set of jerseys for the Ladies U16 Team.  Pictured is Danny McHugh of Supermacs presenting jerseys to members of our U16 team. Also pictured are club treasurer Gerry Donnelly, U16 coaches Majella Forde and Ciaran Donnelly.       Danny McHugh said “We are delighted to sponsor Ballinrobe Ladies U16 Team, we have always had great support from members of Ballinrobe GAA and we are delighted to continue our support of the club”.   Mary Langan chairwoman of the ladies section of the club said “There has been much research done recently into young women and team sport and one study has revealed that playing team sports helps women build a strong set of life skills, like better mental well-being, dealing with pressure and self-confidence. We are delighted that Supermacs have come on board as our sponsor to help us achieve our goals of developing a thriving ladies section of the club”.

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U12 Boys in Croke Park

Our U12’s played in Croke Park as part of the Littlewoods Ireland Go Games and Connacht GAA. during the Easter mid term. An enjoyable day was had by all Players, Coaches and Parents.  Please check out the GAA Go Games twitter feedhttps://twitter.com/GoGamesGAA/status/1118141160860602369 that showcases a very sweet goal for the Robe. Well done boys!!  

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Club Membership Due

A reminder that Club Membership is due before Sunday 31st March for new or renewing Members. Please contact any Club Officer before this date if you have any questions. Membership forms can be found on https://ballinrobegaaclub.com/contact-us/downloads/

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