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Liam and Agnes Relihan with Sarah and Niall Enright Liam and Agnes Relihan with Sarah and Niall Enright

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Ballinacurra Gaels celebrate 45 years in the community

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Ballinacurra Gaels celebrate 45 years in the community. Pictured are Liam and Agnes Relihan with Sarah and Niall Enright

The Blue Bar at Punches Cross was awash with the Black and Yellow of Ballinacurra Gaels GAA and LGFA Club as they celebrate 45 years

Deputising for the Mayor was Cllr Maria Donoghue pictured with Gearóid Balfry, Munster LGFA Games Development Officer

On Wednesday, November 6 the Blue Bar at Punches Cross was awash with the Black and Yellow of Ballinacurra Gaels GAA and LGFA Club as they celebrated 45 years.

Plenty of photos from the club archives were displayed and a slide show had many people spotting themselves and loved ones in their playing and supporting days.

Deputising for the Mayor was Cllr Maria Donoghue. Maria’s presence in this roll was very special for the club as Maria is Vice Chair of the LGFA element of Ballinacurra Gaels and is coach of the Under 14s Ladies Team.  


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The Club also welcomed the Chairperson of the Limerick County board, Seamus McNamara and Gearóid Balfry, Munster LGFA Games Development Officer. Local historian, Sharon Slater, and politicians Conor Sheehan and Esther Aherne were also present, along with Peter Jennings, Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School and Fr. Richard Keane, newly appointed to Our Lady of Lourdes parish. Representatives, past and present, from Old Christians and Treaty Gaels where there too, both clubs with strong links to Ballinacurra Gaels.

The organisers were delighted that many neighbours from around the club joined them including some of the original founding members and some of the 1999 County U21 Hurling title winners. The current membership also tuned out in force with committee members, coaches, parents and players enjoying the occasion.

Special place was given to the Mackey Cup, won by Limerick in the 2024 Munster Championship, and it was the focus of many photo opportunities and selfies.

Speaking on the night Billy Gibbs, son of the late Jim Gibbs who was one of the founders of the club, said that the club meant many things to him and his late father but chief among these was creating a club where Limerick City youngsters could come and play and feel a sense of belonging.

Billy, Paula and Eileen Gibbs with the Mackey Cup Ballinacurra Gaels celebrate 45 years in the community
Ballinacurra Gaels celebrate 45 years in the community Billy, Paula and Eileen Gibbs with the Mackey Cup

Club Chairperson, Eoin Buckley, thanked all for attending and, having outlined the future plans for the club, said he hoped that the 50th Birthday would be celebrated in their own new club house.

Following the speeches the final formality was a presentation to former Club Secretary Senan O’Driscoll, in acknowledgement of his many years of service to the club, where he is still a very active committee member.

Wrapping up proceedings the birthday cake was cut by Eileen Gibbs, representing the original club founders and Lily Buckley, representing the youngest members of the club today.

The organisers, including Club Secretary Angela Higgins and Anne-Marie McDonald declared the evening a success having achieved the hope of bringing current and past member, supporters and neighbours together to celebrate this long-standing club in the heart of Limerick City.

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