Local Notes: Participants in the 2023 GOAL Mile at Lake District AC track, Ballinrobe
Some of the participants in the 2023 GOAL Mile at the Lake District AC track on St Stephen’s Day
Ballinrobe’s St Stephen’s Day GOAL mile, organised by local man Stephen Rochford with the support of Lake District AC and Ballinrobe GAA Club, raised a total of €1,567.19. The event took place on the Lake District AC track and attracted a large attendance of young and old. Some walked the mile while others ran the distance.
Stephen has thanked Lake District AC and Ballinrobe GAA Club for their support.
Members of Robe Rockets, the introductory wing of Ballinrobe GAA Club, were honoured at a special presentation evening in Ballinrobe Community School. The event marked the end of a busy year for the Rockets, with all boys and girls who participated during the season receiving a certificate to mark their involvement.
Special guests were club players Luke Jennings, who was recently selected on the Mayo Club Star Team of the Year, and David Murphy, recipient of the club’s Junior Player of the Year award for 2023. Both men passed on tips to these up-and-coming players in the club.
Tributes were paid to the coaches and all who helped during the year. Sarah Gibbons, who recently stood down as Rockets PRO to take on the same role in the overall club, was also thanked for her huge input over the years. Sarah played a leading role in organising what was an enjoyable end-of-season event.
Mick Corless, who passed away in Coventry recently, was a native of Cloonerneen, Ballinrobe. Martin Joyce, Newbrook, Robeen, whose death also took place over the Christmas period, was father of well-known Ballinrobe businessman, Martin Joyce.
Conor McVeigh, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK, who died on 20 December following a tragic work accident, was a son of Breege (nee Moran), Cornmarket, Ballinrobe. Among those who mourn Chris are his Ballinrobe-based uncles Tom and Denis.
Results of the game held last week were; 1, Joan Tighe and Aneta O’Neill; 2, Nancy Hughes and Bob Craddock; 3, Mary Keane and Mary Gallagher; 4, Paul Waldron and Marian O’Connor; 5, Kathleen and Phil Walsh; 6, Vera Bray and Kitty Farrell.
The All-Ireland Even Junior Racquetball Championships will take place on Saturday, January 27, at Lakeside Sports and Fitness Centre, Ballinrobe, and An Sportlann, Castlebar. Lakeside Sports and Fitness Centre has long been regarded as one of the leading racquetball venues in the country.
Ballinrobe Town FC have paid tribute to well-known local, regional and national football administrator Pat Quigley, who passed away last week. “He did so much for so many at a time when soccer in Mayo was really only in its infancy. He brought an energy, a vision and a warmth on a personal level in the many roles he held within the game,” said a club spokesperson, who added that Pat gave of his time freely to support the club over the years.
Pat was the only Mayo man to ever serve as President of the Football Association of Ireland.
Ballinrobe GAA and LGFA have invited expressions of interest from people who would like to get involved in underage coaching in 2024. Volunteers will be required to complete an up-to-date safeguarding course to comply with child protection regulations and a GAA Foundation Coaching course.
All coaches will liaise with the club coaching officer and support implementation of the Player Pathway model and club values. The club has thanked all those who helped in 2023.
Talented local sportsman Joe Burke, who recently commenced Garda training in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, made his debut for Mayo senior hurlers in their victory over Roscommon in the semi-final of the Connacht League, at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome, Bekan.
Joe, a member of the Moytura club, is also a key member of the Ballinrobe intermediate football team. He lined out in the half-forward line for Mayo. Joe also played in the subsequent final defeat at the hands of visiting New York.
Ballinrobe Community School’s interest in the Connacht Colleges Senior A Football Championship came to an end on Wednesday last when the team lost to the 2023 winners, Summerhill College, Sligo, at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan.
Summerhill recorded a conclusive victory on a scoreline of 1-15 to 0-6. Hopes were high that Ballinrobe could build on their earlier win over St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, but it wasn’t to be.
Ballinrobe GAA Club members on the panel were Sean Coyne, Shane Mahon, Conor Jennings, Simon Boyle, David Cameron, Liam Lynch, Conor Byrne, Niall Tierney, Cian May, Caoimhín Donnelly, Rory Gilrane, Micheál Monaghan.
Limited membership places are now available at Lake District Athletic Club. To learn more, visit the club’s Facebook page.
Local auctioneer Emma Gill, who has been operating under the Property Partners Emma Gill brand for the past number of years, has announced that the business will now be known as Property Partners Gill & Glynn. The Glynn in question is Claire Glynn, a well-known auctioneer who has been working with Emma over the past year.
Emma started as an independent auctioneer in Ballinrobe in 2009 before joining the Property Partners organisation.
The information centre in Bohernasup, Ballina, is open to everyone in the community. They provide options, supports and guidance for individuals and their families experiencing mental health difficulties. The information centre provides a confidential sign posting and the drop-in service is open Monday to Wednesday from 9.30am to 4pm. Call 096 71492 for more information.
Enable Ireland Mayo Services require volunteers in all areas of County Mayo to work with children with a disability. Volunteers usually work one-to-one with a child within their home but also within their community or at the centre in Castlebar. Training is provided. If interested, contact Fiona at 087 6808350 or email fscully@enableireland.ie for more information.
Mayo Cancer Support offer a range of emotional supports to people with cancer and their families. For more information call 094 9038407.
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Mayo Abbey
Mayo Abbey Centre offer a number of services to the community including; Local Link bus regular service from the Parish Community to Castlebar. It departs daily from the Centre (Tuesday – Saturday); computers can be provided or users can bring their own; meals delivery service; weekly Tuesday lunch for active age at the centre; boarding pass printouts; support provided for individuals looking to start their own business; compiling of local notes; wide range of training programmes provided; Thursday morning coffee and chat; free computer and phone support for beginners; hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connection available; facilities available to attend a virtual meeting or interview; printing, photocopying and laminating services and much more. For further information contact 094 936 5987.
The card game will be held in Mayo Abbey Resource Centre every Thursday commencing January 18, at 9pm. All are welcome.
The death has taken place of Sr. Mary (Feargal) Fallon, St. Louis Convent Rathmines, Dublin. Formerly Mary Kathleen Fallon, Currykirwan Mayo Abbey. Sympathy is extended to her brother Bernard, Currykirwan.
The death took place of Tony Burke, Balla Road, Claremorris. Sympathy is extended to his wife Karen Forde, Kilbride Mayo Abbey and family.
Sympathy is extended to the following on their recent bereavement; to Micheál Roughneen, Townalough on the death of his father, Martin Roughneen, (Irish Knights Band) Balla; to Mary Bourke Ballyglass on the death of her mother Tilly Shaughnessy, Garrawaddereen, Claremorris. May they all rest in peace.
The Mayo Gaels lotto jackpot is now €6,900. This Tuesday evenings’ draw is on-line and tickets must be in by 8pm. The numbers drawn on Tuesday, January 9, were 5, 6, 18, and 33. There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prize winners were Nuala Heneghan, Mountpleasant, (online ticket), Bernard Trench, Knockroe, (annual ticket), John Govin, Currymacmanus, (annual ticket), and Elaine Maguire, Ardcorkey, (annual ticket).
The weekly Bereavement Support Group meet every Wednesday at 11am in the Family Centre Knock. These meetings aim to help those who are grieving to find healing, hope and comfort. All are welcome. Contact Monica Morley on 094-9375320 for more information.
Grow is a mental health support program based on lived experience. This mean Grow groups are a meeting of peers, who are striving to develop and maintain good mental health. If you would like to know more, call your local GROW office on 1800 558 268. You can also register for ‘Welcome to Grow’, the online orientation session. This will give you an introduction to how meetings work and an opportunity to ask questions. You can also search for a group close by to you by using Find a Group and just turning up. No registrations are needed.
Age Action is Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people and ageing. As well as informing and influencing policy they provide practical programmes to support older people to age in place and combat digital exclusion through their Care and Repair, Getting Started and Information Service. For more information call 01 4756989 or email info@ageaction.ie.
