Davitts GAA to launch book marking club’s 50-year anniversary

A stellar publication marking the 50th anniversary of Davitts GAA will be launched on Saturday evening in the clubhouse in Ballindine. Memories, friendships and countless matches will be rekindled and recalled when crowds gather at 7pm.

The idea of producing a book to mark the club's 50th anniversary was discussed at a club meeting in 2022 and the project took wings after that. The publication has been compiled by the Davitts PRO Joe Reapy and published by Pádraig Corcoran.

History says that while football had been played in Ballindine and Irishtown since the early 1900s, the Davitts club was officially formed after a meeting in late 1973. Named after Michael Davitt, one of the organisers of the famous meeting in Irishtown on April 20, 1879, which led to the founding of the Land League, the club has since flourished.

The book covers the club’s history, including brief accounts of pre-1974 events and reports on approximately 380 games over the past five decades, which should bring back memories for many ‘older’ readers. It will give some of the younger readers, and the next generations, a better idea of Davitts’ proud history.

It also features contributions from club members, such as Frank Fahey, David McDonagh, Breda Waldron, Ronan Kirrane, Ronan McNamara, Liam Kearns and many more, sharing personal anecdotes and reflections. Other articles included are on Ballindine handball, Scór na nÓg winners, Mayo representatives and All-Ireland winners, alongside a wealth of photographs of teams, players, volunteers and supporters.

The book will be launched by former Mayo Ladies footballer, Cora Staunton, and the event begins at 7pm. Angelina Nugent will act as MC on the night. There will be a Q&A session with a number of major figures within the club including Dr Ken Egan, Frank Hyland, Liam Nyland, Martin Connolly, Alan Roche, Eilis Ronayne, Rebecca Waldron and Colm Boyle.

Most importantly, the book can be purchased at the launch. It is priced at €30 and a big demand is anticipated. There will be a link on the club’s website, davittsgaa.com and social media to enable online purchases. The book will also be on sale in the Spar and Centra shops and Healthcare West Pharmacy in Ballindine; and Daly’s Newsagents, Hillside Service Station and Supervalu in Claremorris.