Mayo GAA club celebrates milestone anniversary

Balla GAA is celebrating 140 years of the club this week, with a series of events planned to mark the remarkable milestone and celebrate the people who have shaped the club over almost a century and a half.

Founded in 1886, Balla GAA is one of the oldest GAA clubs in County Mayo and has a particularly significant place in the history of the association. It's home ground, Nally Park, is named after PW Nally, born in Balla, who was one of the founding figures of the GAA and played a key role in the establishment of the Association in 1884.

To mark the 140th anniversary, Balla GAA has organised a full programme of events this week, bringing together current members, former players, volunteers, families and the wider community.

The celebrations begin with a Special Bingo fundraiser tonight, Wednesday at 8pm, organised in conjunction with Balla Bingo and Balla CRD, with a €12,000 jackpot. The fundraiser will support Balla GAA's underage players.

The main anniversary celebrations take place on Saturday next, beginning with an underage blitz involving neighbouring clubs at 11.30am in Nally Park, followed by a Balla GAA Masters game at 4pm.

The celebrations will continue that evening in the Community Centre, with a screening of the club's 2022 Lip Sync fundraiser at 7pm, followed by live music from Concord and a DJ from 9.30pm, with a full bar available.

The club is encouraging former players, members, volunteers and anyone with a connection to Balla GAA who now live elsewhere to return to Balla for the celebrations.

Balla GAA Chairperson Dean Kenny said: “140 years is a remarkable milestone for any organisation, and particularly for a club with the history and significance of Balla GAA. From the foundation of our club in 1886, Gaelic games have been at the very heart of our community.

“This anniversary is an opportunity to recognise everyone who has contributed to the club over the generations – players, volunteers, officers, supporters, families and the wider Balla parish, including Manulla and Belcarra. There have been many ups and downs over the years, but our club is now in a very strong position, with a thriving LGFA and competitive underage teams at all levels. We hope the events of this week will bring club people, past and present, together to celebrate that shared history and we look forward to the next 140 years.” The club is inviting everyone in Balla and beyond to come along and join in the celebrations.