Local Notes: Students from Ballinrobe Youthreach at Mayo Comhairle na nÓg Youth Conference
Pictured at the Mayo Comhairle na nÓg Youth Conference were students from Youthreach in Ballinrobe. Picture: Trish Forde
Three Ballinrobe players played in the Mayo All-Star game between the Mayo Club Stars 2023 and the Mayo senior team at The University of Galway Connacht GA Air Dome, Bekan, on Saturday, December 30. Aaron McDonnell lined out for the Mayo team, while Kevin Quinn and Luke Jennings featured for the Club Stars.
Evan O’Brien and Liam Burke were both selected for the Club Stars team but were unavailable to play. The charity match, won by the Mayo senior team, was in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Meanwhile, Sean Coyne and Ethan Donnelly from the Ballinrobe club played in a charity game for final-year minors at the same venue on the previous day. In a thoughtful gesture, the South Mayo GAA Board honoured players about to leave the minor grade by staging the game between two south Mayo selections.
Each player received a one-off jersey to mark the occasion and all funds raised were donated to Mayo-Roscommon Hospice Foundation. Several other Ballinrobe players were due to line out but were unavailable on the day.
A memory tree crafted by Ballinrobe Community School Transition Year student Matthew McCormack caught the eye in several local locations in the run-up to Christmas 2023.
Matthew’s spiral tree was displayed at the Christmas concert in St Joseph’s Primary School and in the foyer of Friars Lodge Nursing Home. In both places, it was lit with candles to remember deceased loved ones, and photos of the tree generated huge interest on various online platforms.
“I made the tree from native red deal timber in its natural state. I created a spiral effect by cutting the timber at specific angles and lengths,” said Matthew.
“At the outset it was a mathematical jungle. I learned so much from this project and I am delighted with the outcome. I am overjoyed with everyone’s great support and positive comments.” Matthew’s grandfather Anthony McCormack passed away in Friars Lodge during 2023. “The tree is a towering tribute to Anthony McCormack and all who left us in 2023. Matthew’s love and artistry will forever bloom in our hearts,” said a spokesperson for Friars Lodge.
Anthony was also a great craftsman, often creating new uses out of old and discarded items. No doubt he would be chuffed with Matthew’s creation.
Matthew has put his woodworking skills to effective use in the Timber Gifts Transition Year mini company he has established with his colleagues Gian Carpio and Stephen Feerick. Their product list includes various Christmas decorations and a phone stand, all of which proved popular at various Christmas markets.
The phone stand is still on sale and can be purchased online at www.timber-gifts.com. It retails at €9 or two for €15.
Ballinrobe Town Hall (aka The Valkenburg) will be the venue for a series of weekly yoga classes starting this evening (Tuesday) at 6.30. The classes will be led by Marese Cregg who can be contacted via WhatsApp on 087 2075 852. Marese also has profiles on Facebook and Instagram.
The All-Ireland Even Junior Racquetball Championships will take place on Saturday, 27 January, at Lakeside Sports & Fitness Centre, Ballinrobe, and An Sportlann, Castlebar.
Newly promoted Ballinrobe Town are currently preparing for life in the Mayo Super League, and it has been announced that the division will comprise the following teams: Ballina Town, Ballinrobe Town, Ballyheane, Castlebar Celtic, Claremorris, Conn Rangers, Crossmolina, Kiltimagh/Knock United, Manulla and Westport United. The Super League will see 18 rounds of matches take place on a home-and-away basis.
After gaining some vital experience and blooded in some new players last year, the Ballinrobe Town (B) team will again compete in League Two and that nine-team division is as follows: Achill Rovers, Ballina Town (B), Ballinrobe Town (B), Ballyvary Blue Bombers (B), Bangor Hibs, Conn Rangers (C), Fahy Rovers (B), Snugboro United, and Westport United (C). Matches in this division will also be played on a home-and-away basis.
The junior leagues will commence on the weekend of February 17/18, with the previous weekend designated for friendlies for all teams, similar to last season.
Ballinrobe Town players featured prominently on the various Team of the Year selections announced by the Mayo League last week.
Four made the Premier Division selection – JP O’Gorman, Sean Shaughnessy, Jonathan Lawrence and Richie Dalton. JP is in the running for the Player of the Year award which will be announced later this month, and he was also named in the Masters Team of the Year (Division One). Peter Staunton was included in the Masters Team of the Year (Division Three).
The U20 Team of the Year sees Adam Walsh, Gary Mellett-Connolly and Danny O’Toole honoured. Danny is in the running for the U20 Player of the Year accolade.
The recent adverse weather conditions disrupted the Connacht FA fixtures schedule, which means that the Colga FC (B) v Ballinrobe Town Connacht Junior Shield has been put back to Sunday, February 4 (2pm). The aforementioned provincial tie was due to take place on January 14.
Felim Reilly, a solid defender with Ballinrobe for over 15 years, has been honoured with a surprise retirement presentation from his current intermediate and junior team-mates. The presentation took place in the dressing room after the annual St Stephen’s Day clash between the O25s and the U25s in the Aidan Golden Memorial Cup. Felim, popularly known as Rookie, played a typically assured hour’s football to help the O25s record a convincing victory.
Teammate Evan O’Brien presented a framed No. 2 jersey to Felim and said it was important to recognise his contribution to the club over the past decade and a half. In response, Felim outlined that it was always an honour to wear the Ballinrobe jersey and thanked every player who lined out alongside him over the years.
Last season, Felim was joint captain of the Ballinrobe team which captured the new Mayo Junor C Championship title, at Cong. Club chairperson John Sweeney also paid tribute to Felim.
