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The late Fergal Loftus, RIP

  Ballinrobe is in mourning this evening with the news that Fergal Loftus, Carrowkeel, Ballinrobe, passed away today after a lengthy illness that he bore with great courage. Fergal was a member of a highly popular and respected local family. He played for our club at all levels, including senior, and was held in high esteem by colleagues and opponents alike. The Loftus family have always been strong supporters of the club and, indeed, a wide variety of other sporting and community activities in Ballinrobe and the wider south Mayo region.   He will be sadly missed by his loving parents Vincent and Ann, sisters Majella and Jacinta, brothers Ivor and Walter, brothers-in-law David and Padraig, sister-in-law Debbie, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and many many friends. Fergal’s Funeral Mass will take place privately (in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines) in St. Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe on Sunday at 12pm. (May 31st), burial afterwards in new cemetery Ballinrobe. A mass to celebrate Fergal’s life will take place at a later date.  You can express your sympathy HERE We extend our deepest sympathy to the Loftus family at this sad time.  John Flannelly, Chairperson, Ballinrobe GAA Club.

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The late Mary Quinn, RIP

Ballinrobe GAA Club extends sympathy to the family of Mary Quinn, Church Road, Kilmaine, who has passed away. Mrs Quinn died at the residence of her son, TJ, on Main Street, Ballinrobe, where she had been living in recent times. The extended Quinn family has made a huge and varied contribution to Ballinrobe GAA Club over the years, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have worn the club jersey with distinction. She is sadly missed by her son, T.J., her daughters, Breda and Maura, grandchildren, Sinéad, Michéal, Ruairí, Aíne, James, Kevin, Tom and Sarah and 9 great-grandchildren, her sisters, Rosaleen (Tuam), Bridie and Una (Birmingham), daughter-in-law, Assumpta, sons-in-law Michael Joyce and Michael Keane, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews and all other relatives and many friends. Funeral Mass in St., Patrick’s Church, Kilmaine, on Thursday 28th at 12 o’clock, with burial afterwards in The New Cemetery, Kilmaine. House and funeral private, due to COVID-19 restrictions. The family appreciate that you want to offer condolences and thank you for offering same on the death notice page HERE

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Sympathy to Lyons and Culhane families

Ballinrobe GAA Club extends sympathy to two local families who suffered bereavements over the weekend. Tom Lyons, Templeogue, Dublin, who passed away at the AMNCH, Tallaght, Dublin, was a native of Cloonacastle, Ballinrobe, and a former player with Ballinrobe.  He lined out with the club in the 1959 Mayo Senior Football League final against Ballina Stephenites. Tom’s brother, John, played alongside him on many occasions for Ballinrobe, including in the 1959 final, and Tom’s nephews – John’s sons – Damien, Joe and Sean all played for the club. In 1957, Tom won a Flanagan Cup final with Ballinrobe CBS.   A retired member of An Garda Siochána, Tom was predeceased by his wife Eileen (née Ward, formerly of Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon). He was a much loved Dad to Garry, Petrina, Arlene, Tommy, Leah and Alva. He will be very sadly missed by his family, sisters May, Breege and Lena, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, his 16 adoring grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends. More details HERE John Culhane, Rahard, Ballinrobe, a former club treasurer who continues to be deeply involved in our club, is mourning the death of his mother, Kathleen, today (Monday). She passed away in Kings Heath, Birmingham, where John and his siblings grew up.  Mrs Culhane was formerly Carroll of Brackloon, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo. She is predeceased by her husband, Padraig, who died three years ago. Sympathy is extended to John; his wife, Dymphna, a keen club supporter and Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, a noted school for Gaelic football; and their daughters, Caoimhe, Aoife and Sadhbh.

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The late Eddie Vaughan

  Ballinrobe GAA Club extends deepest sympathy to the Vaughan family, Abbey Street, Ballinrobe, on the death of Eddie Vaughan, Allowdale, Ballymaquirke, Kanturk, Co. Cork. Eddie had been ill for a short period of time. He was father of John Vaughan, a well-known local businessman who has always been supportive of Ballinrobe GAA Club and other sporting and community pursuits in the town. For many years, Vaughan Shoes, an award-winning business owned and operated by the Vaughan family, were generous sponsors of our club senior team. Donal, Eddie’s grandson, played with the club at all levels, winning county minor and U21 titles, and bringing great distinction to the club as a consistent member of the Mayo senior team over the past decade. In recent seasons, Donal has played his club football with Castlebar Mitchels. In accordance with HSE guidelines, Eddie’s funeral will take place privately. He is mourned by his wife Mary; son, John; daughter, Marjorie; grandchildren, Ailish, Donal, Laura, Grace, Katie and Mary; great-grandchild, Rory; brothers, Denis and Dan Joe; daughter-in-law, Tricia; brother-in-law, Tim; nephews; nieces; relatives and friends.   John Flannelly, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club.

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The late Liam O’Haire

  Liam O’Haire (42), a native of Rathkelly, Ballinrobe, who passed away in Crusheen, Co. Clare, on Sunday evening, was a former Ballinrobe footballer and a member of a family with a long and distinguished association with the club. Liam had fought illness for some time and news of his passing evoked deep sympathy in the Ballinrobe region. From an early age, Liam joined his father Christy and mother Mary at club and county football training sessions and games and he went on to play at all underage levels for the club, Ballinrobe CBS (primary school) and Ballinrobe Community School (secondary). A serving member of An Garda Siochána, Liam is survived by his wife, Anna; daughter, Alannah; son, Christopher; mother, Mary; sisters, Marie and Chanelle (Conneely); brothers-in-law, Paul, Donnie, Keith, Noel and Johnny; mother-in-law, Mary; and sisters-in-law, Lorraine, Esther and Caroline; and nephews, Jason and Mark. Christy, who passed away suddenly in 1996, between the drawn and replayed All-Ireland senior football finals involving Mayo and Meath, was a former club player and officer, including serving as its chairman. Additionally, he managed club teams to win a number of county championship titles at under-age and adult levels. He was a selector on a variety of Mayo teams, including the sides that won the 1983 All-Ireland U21 title and reached the 1989 All-Ireland senior final. He was also a divisional and county board official who commanded respect among GAA followers all over the country. The family involvement in Ballinrobe GAA Club continues to the present day, with Liam’s sisters Marie and Chanelle actively involved in the club, and nephews Jason and Mark wearing the club colours at U14 and U12 levels respectively. In 2018, Liam watched his nephews play for Ballinrobe on a number of occasions. Indeed, Liam’s daughter, Alannah, has regularly attended training and games hosted by our Robe Rockets on her visits to Ballinrobe. The club extends its deepest sympathy to Liam’s family at this sad time.   John Flannelly, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club.  

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Joe “Brocky” Jennings RIP

Ballinrobe GAA  Club sadly wish to report that Rahard native Joe “Brocky” Jennings passed away early this morning aged 84 in Manchester, England. Joe, a tenacious halfback, represented Ballinrobe with distinction and won 2 Flanagan Cups in 1951 & 1953 and in 1953 he won an All-Ireland medal at Minor Level defeating Clare in Croke Park. Joe played in the Connacht semi-final scoring a point, however he picked up an injury that would rule him out of the Final and indeed the All Ireland semi-final but recovered to line out with another Ballinrobe stalwart Tom Treacy Sr in Croke Park where they defeated Clare 2-11 v 1-06.   In 1953, Joe played with the Connacht Colleges team representing Ballinrobe CBS, an achievement that can’t be underestimated as the likes of St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, Summerhill College, Sligo, and St Muredeach’s College, Ballina usually dominated the selections.   Sadly missed by his wife Margo, sons Ivan, Paul, David and daughter Rhoda, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours & friends.   Funeral details to be confirmed.   Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam John Flannelly Chairperson, Ballinrobe GAA Club

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Intermediate team management announced for 2020

Ballinrobe GAA are pleased to announce the appointment of Pete Warren as manager of our Intermediate team, along with Patrick Guckian and Tony Walkin as selectors, for the 2020 season. A native of Tuam, Pete played at all levels for Galway. His first foray into management came as a player-manager with his own club, Tuam Stars, and he led them to the Galway and Connacht Senior Club Championship titles in 1994. When John O’Mahony was appointed Galway manager in late 1997, he chose Pete as a member of his backroom team, and he was a constant presence at O’Mahony’s side for the next six seasons. During this time, Galway won two All-Ireland senior titles (1998 and 2001). In 2011, Pete crossed the border into Irishtown-Ballindine, managing the local Davitts club to Mayo and Connacht Intermediate titles, and a 2012 All-Ireland Intermediate Final appearance in Croke Park, where they lost to Kerry side Milltown-Castlemaine. Pete’s backroom team will include two local men, Patrick Guckian and Tony Walkin. Patrick has been heavily involved in coaching in the club in the past few years, including as a member of the outgoing management team. Tony played at all levels for Mayo and has club management experience in Mayo and Sligo. We wish Pete, Patrick and Tony every success for 2020 #HontheRobe

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Aidan Golden Memorial Cup attracts huge crowd

By Gerry O’Malley, Social Media Officer Pictures: Andy Walsh, club member and coach.  Picture above: Kevin Quinn accepts the Aidan Golden Memorial Cup from Aedemar Golden, wife of the late Aidan Golden, St Stephen’s Day 2019. This was the inaugural playing of the Aidan Golden Memorial Cup. Lots more pictures on our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/BallinrobeGAAFanPage/   St Stephen’s Day 2019 saw the hosting of the inaugural Aidan Golden Memorial Cup match in memory of Aidan Golden, a member of the 2000 and 2002 Mayo Intermediate Championship winning sides.  Aidan sadly passed away earlier this year.  The game was between the members of those great teams and the current crop of Intermediate players. Billed as the must-see Ballinrobe GAA event of the year, there was an attendance of approximately 300 spectators to see this sporting spectacle and observe has time been good to the members of that history-making team. There were three former inter-county managers on the side-lines and playing on the pitch along with inter-county players of all levels past and present playing. The game in itself was hugely entertaining, and, with the match commentary of Liam Horan over the public address system, it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.  The game was also broadcast live on Club Radio. It took a while for the veterans’ footballing muscle memory to kick back in with some of them falling to the ground with no opposition anywhere them.  There were also many shouts of the veterans picking the ball off the ground, until the youngsters were reminded that when most of the county championship winning side played football, players were permitted to pick a rolling ball off the ground. The youngsters got off to a rip-roaring start and notched up a lead of 1-3 to no score before the youngsters started to have pity on the veterans. Keith McTigue got the old-timers off the mark with two fantastic long-range points.  By half time the score was 1-6 to 2-3 and the game appeared to be in the melting pot – although, at times, the veterans did have up to 20 players on the pitch. As the second half progressed, time started to catch up with the veterans. However due to superior numbers on the field – a testament to the tactical genius of joint managers Tommy O’Malley and Peter Ford – and some mid-season transfers from the current intermediate team, they managed to keep the game competitive to the end. On the final whistle, and with the youngsters the victors, everyone was in great form after a fun day. The Cup was presented by Aidan’s wife, Aedemar, to Kevin Quinn, the captain of the current Intermediate team.  Aedemar spoke of Aidan’s love of the GAA Club and the friends he made playing football with the club since childhood, and how if he was there he would have loved the day. Aidan’s brother Brian, spoke on behalf of the Golden family, expressing their gratitude to the club, the organisers and to everybody who contributed to the day. After the presentation, members of the Golden family handed out medals to everybody who played the game, about 45 in total (all at the same time, at one point). Afterwards, old friends and teammates got to catch up and relive old times.  Then everybody retired to the Valkenburg for refreshments and to watch the game all over again followed by a video of the 2002 Mayo Intermediate Championship final.   While the occasion was a sad one, in that we were all there to remember a deceased friend and teammate, an enjoyable day was had by all.  

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Thank you to our outgoing Management Team

Ballinrobe GAA would like to thank Donal Costello, Intermediate Manager who is stepping down and his Management team of John Gilrane, Pat Guickan, Kieran Biggins and David Colleran for their hard work, dedication and contribution to our Club during the last 2 years with our Intermediate and U21 Teams. They finished the 2019 season on a high winning two U21 Titles. We wish them well in the future from us all in the Club.

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