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UPDATE: High-resolution pictures from the games v Carras are available HERE Our U8s play Carras tomorrow evening, Wednesday, at 7o’c in Flanagan Park, Ballinrobe. All players are asked to be at the pitch at 6.30.

If you read down through this article, you will come across a fleeting, but complimentary nonetheless, mention for Ballinrobe GAA Club

UPDATE MONDAY 22nd: Stephen Burke played the full game at centre half-forward for the minors and was very impressive. They defeated Roscommon so it’s a Connacht minor medal for him. Donie Vaughan came on for the seniors in the second-half of their win over London. Congrats to him too: onwards and upwards for both teams now.   Stephen Burke is the only Ballinrobe man who will start in either of tomorrow’s two Connacht finals – he lines out centre half-forward in the minor game against Roscommon. This is Stephen’s first start in this championship and a reward for excellent performances coming off the bench. Injury has claimed two of our three senior panellists – Kenneth O’Malley and Alan Murphy, which must be very disappointing for both men. Donal Vaughan is not named in the Mayo team. He has also been suffering from injury of late but hopefully he will be able to make an appearance. We wish all our players and their families and enjoyable and hopefully triumhpant day tomorrow.

In the past decade, our club enjoyed two very successful trips to London. On one occasion we played Tir Conaill Gaels. The other game was an historic occasion as it was the first time a match was played under floodlights at Ruislip. The floodlights were actually on wheels, and were supplied by a company called Musco Lighting. The lights were on trial at the time. I’m not sure if they were taken on on a full-time basis afterwards. We played the London county team (Colm Foody of Bonniconlon was playing) and we beat them. Tommy O’Malley used his subs bench well that night, as far as I recall. Our club PRO Billy Horan wrote a full-page article on the trip in the Mayo News, and it’s framed and up on the walls of a number of local pubs (presented by the club). Anyway, as a club who benefitted from the hospitality of London GAA folk on those occasions, we extend a warm welcome to the London team this weekend as they play Mayo in McHale Park in a truly historic Connacht final. Ballinrobe men who have worn the London jersey? Harry Murphy played for London on a number of occasions. I think Eoin Sheridan played minor for them in Croke Park in 1981 or so – or was that New York? We’d be interested to hear about any other connections, just leave a comment below or email secretary.ballinrobe.mayo@gaa.ie. Are there any Ballinrobe natives home to support the London team this weekend? Manager Paul Coggins played on many occasions for Ballinrobe Community School against Ballinrobe CBS, as Michael Bradley (another man who lived in the UK for many years, and played Gaelic football over there too, not quite sure of the club with which he played)  reminded me when we bumped into each other out swimming Spitz-like around The Point at Cahir Pier last week. And, by the way, in a totally unrelated matter, I have never, ever, repeat ever, experienced the water at Cahir Pier as warm as I found it yesterday evening. Terence Duddy, who supported London when he lived over there, can vouch for that fact, as can Eamon Marrey. Inch was just about to go in when I left, and I’m sure he will back up the claim. It was positively indoor heated. I remember Paul’s brother Eugene playing for Ballyhaunis Community School against Ballinrobe CBS a few years later. More to the point: it’s time for another club trip. Niall Murphy, brother of Harry, will take us by the hand and lead us around Rennes, France, so that must be a priority for late 2013 or early 2014. You can read about the Rennes trip to Ballinrobe last month HERE

Alas, no Ballinrobe winners this month… …the full list is HERE Thanks to all who supported this draw. Next month, hopefully, we will land a few big ones.  

Due to a clash with the Cul Camps (for which we have a record 110 attendance), the Skills Academy is cancelled this Wednesday and Saturday. Back again next Wednesday evening, July 24th, at 6.30.

At tonight’s meeting of the club executive, good wishes were extended to executive member Eimear Grimes and David Flannery, who get married on Friday. David plays with the club and is also heavily involved in the administration of the club.

We have been asked to let our members know about the following, and we’re glad to help out the Macra na Feirme by so doing: South Mayo Macra are holding an information night, in Crann Mòr training centre Ballinrobe, this Wednesday, July 17th at 8.30pm. If you are aged 17 – 35 and fancy trying something new, join Macra. Activities include, sport, social nights, drama, travel, community involvement and many more. Guest speaker on the night is Vice President Sean Finan of the Northwest Macra.