Local Notes: Ballinrobe Community School given warm welcome after historic All Ireland triumph.
The Ballinrobe Community School team and backroom team pictured at the homecoming in the school after their 2026 All-Ireland Senior C football final win, and team captain Ali Hughes addresses the homecoming.
Ballinrobe Community School’s All-Ireland Senior ‘C’ champions were welcomed home on Tuesday evening, March 24, just hours after their 3-9 to 0-4 victory over St Anne’s (Tipperary) in the final in Glenamaddy. A large crowd gathered in the school gym to mark the occasion. The scale of support for the team was evident well beyond the venue itself. As the players made their way from Claremorris, they were met by a reception hosted by Hollymount LGFA, with bonfires lighting up points along the route to Ballinrobe. The sizeable cavalcade completed two laps of Ballinrobe, cheered on by supporters who came out to acknowledge the achievement.
The official reception took place in Ballinrobe Community School and featured supporters from all six clubs represented on the panel – Hollymount, Kilmaine, Ballinrobe, The Neale, Clonbur and Tourmakeady.
MC was Liam Horan, with speakers including Nicola Macken, Ballinrobe GAA and LGFA; school principal Julie Ann Collins; coach Ruth Donnellan; manager Sinead Stagg, an All-Ireland winner with Ballinrobe Community School in the 1990s, and team captain Ali Hughes.
Each member of the panel and backroom team was introduced individually to the crowd, before lifting the cup in turn. Acknowledgement was given to the group who organised the event at short notice – Deirdre Burke, Annette Conway, Leah Jennings, Nicola Macken, Sean McCormack, Matthew McCormack, Anthony McCormack, Lorraine Grimes, Elaine O’Brien, Sarah Gibbons and Liam Horan.
Special thanks were reserved for Deirdre Burke for her role liaising between the school and the organising committee, Cummins & Sons Homevalue (trailer), Martin O’Connor (sound and music) and local media were all acknowledged for their support. Recognition was also given to An Garda Síochána and stewards from Ballinrobe GAA and LGFA.
Ballinrobe GAA and LGFA Club radio’s contribution was noted, with Aoife Donnelly and Padraic Costello senior on commentary duty for the final, while Leah Jennings streamed the homecoming on the club’s Facebook page.
The results of the recently held President’s (Sean O’Neil) prize competition were as follows: 1st Marie Flanagan and Patricia Hennigan; 1st gross Paul Waldron and Marian O’Connor; 2nd Lena Lowry and Maura McHugh; 3rd Kathleen Nally and Mary Kelly; 4th Nancy Hughes and Bob Craddock; 5th Maureen Gallagher and Mary Connaughton; 6th Angela Langan and M. McTigue. A total of 22 pairs took part in the competition.
The regional President’s (Kathleen Walsh) Prize competition was played in Kiltimagh on Sunday, March 29, and was won by William Enright and Angela Murphy. There were some brilliant prizes on offer.
There was no winner of the €12,400 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, March 30. The numbers drawn were 6, 18, 19 and 24.
The club held its weekly 50/50 draw on Sunday, March 29, with Noreen O’Connor the winner of €475.
The Ballinrobe Town (B) team recorded their second successive victory of the new season when they defeated Charlestown Athletic 4-2, at Milebush Park, on Saturday week last. The first half was a real nip and tuck contest, but the breakthrough fell to the red and white when Shane Ryan netted a tidy finish on 15 minutes, and Ballinrobe led 1-0 at the interval. Ballinrobe dominated large chunks of the second half and further goals from Rodrigo Da Costa, Luca Victor Lima Da Ora and Isaia Caldaras, shunted the south Mayo side into an unassailable 4-0 lead. A doughty Charlestown finished strongly though, with Robert Jordan’s goal on 89 minutes, and a well-taken penalty by Kacper Gawalkiewicz, putting a better reflection on the full-time scoreline.
Next weekend, Ballinrobe will have the luxury of a home tie when they welcome Westport United (C) to The Green. Please see the Game On section for confirmation of the date and kick-off time. Your support for the red and white would be appreciated.
Congratulations to Ballinrobe Town’s Luke Duddy who has been named on the Mayo Football League U18 Premier Division Team of the Season. Luke had an outstanding season at centre back and was a real leader for the team throughout the season. It was a very well-deserved honour for an outstanding player. Well done Luke from all your team-mates and friends at Ballinrobe Town AFC.
Well done to Sam Place who has been selected on the Mayo Football League U17 Division One Team of the Season. Sam had a great season scoring some crucial goals and providing some key assists. Sam is a talented footballer and is a deserving recipient of such an accolade. All at Ballinrobe Town AFC were delighted to hear such wonderful news.
A superb team performance saw the Ballinrobe Town U13 girls (B) team record a marvellous 7-1 victory away to Castlebar Town last week. The goal scorers for Ballinrobe on the day were Mia O’Malley, who netted a hat-trick, Emily O’Gorman (2), Aoife Joyce and Caoimhe Fox.
There was no winner of the €12,600 lotto jackpot draw which was held in Garrymore, on Sunday, March 29. The numbers drawn were 1, 5, 14 and 25. The €50 winners were Padraic Flannery, Carravilla, Ger Hession, Pulbawn, and Sharon Hughes, Kilmaine.
Get some help to research your family tree with the Mayo Genealogy Group. Find out how to get started, or get some tips and advice on taking the next steps with an existing project. Join the friendly members of the Mayo Genealogy Group at their next meeting, from 11.30am to 1pm, on Saturday, 11th April at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, in Turlough. This is a voluntary group brought together by a keen interest in genealogy. The members enjoy sharing their successes and pitfalls, collective experience and detective work to give other researchers a guiding hand. New researchers are welcome. No booking required.
The grounds of Turlough Park are home to lots of different habitats with woodland, gardens, lake and river areas. Throughout the biodiverse grounds, you can explore plants, trees, birds and animals, big and small. Some are native and some are not. Pick up the new ‘Woodland Explorer’ activity booklet from Museum reception to learn more on a self-guided nature trail through Turlough Park. Use your keen senses and skills to complete a series of fun nature challenges to finish the trail. No booking require and the nature trail has free admission.
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Islandeady.
The Islandeady Community Council AGM takes place on Monday, April 13, at 9pm in St. Aidan’s. All members are invited to attend and this meeting is also open to the wider community also. The council encourage anyone who is interested in observing the monthly meetings and the various discussions, activities and issues surrounding the many clubs within the community to attend. The council are always welcoming and open to ideas and suggestions which can be raised through /by any of their representatives, as they strive to improve the community for everyone.
Islandeady Cycling Club is hosting the Brendan Heneghan Memorial Spin on Sunday, April 12, at Jack’s Cottage, with registration at 8.30am and €25 fee. There are two routes - 40km and 80km. Refreshments along route and afterwards. The cycle is in aid of Snugboro Utd and Islandeady Cycling Club.
The weekly cycles continue on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays.
Results of the game which was held on Monday, March 30, 1st prize shared by Michael Moore, Tom Gibbons and Kathleen Clarke; 2nd prize shared by Teresa Sammon, Ede Duffy, Dominic Mulchrone and Mary O’Malley; 3rd prize shared by Sean Canny, June Costello, Vinnie Lawless, Jimmy Mc Loughlin, Sean Ryder and Paddy Carney. Raffle winners were Kathleen Clarke, Thomas Conroy, Gerry Gibbons and Peter Reynolds. The game continues every Monday night up to the end of April. So come along for a lovely night out. The game starts at 8.30pm, with refreshments served.
There was no winner of the last Islandeady GAA lotto draw on Sunday, March 29, in the Halfway. The jackpot was €12,400. Underage training each Saturday morning in the GAA pitch.
Islandeady Walks resumed on Monday evenings for 2026 with the Church to Cemetery walk on Monday, April 6, at 7pm. Meeting at church car-park. These walks were very successful last year, having started on Easter Monday and continued every Monday until the midddle of October with the exception of two evenings, when the weather was not permitting. No prior commitment/booking is needed just turn up on the evening and feel free to bring a friend/visitor or family member along. The walks committee are presently welcoming any suggestions regarding a new 'logo/symbol' for display on their weekly schedule postings and advertisements, possible suggestions can be given to any committee member on the weekly walks or via the app.
The annual tractor, truck, motorbike and vintage car run will take place on Sunday, April 12. Now in its fifth year, this year’s beneficiary charity is ‘Áirc Mayo – a non-profit charity organisation which aims to provide various supports to the families of children with disabilities. The event will also include a free mini-pedal power Children’s Tractor Run, charity auction and cake sale. Contact Gerry on 086 806 1987 or Adrian on 087 798 948 for more information.
