Ballinrobe players rally around young Liam ahead of County Final

As Ballinrobe GAA Club’s intermediate team prepares for their Mayo Championship final showdown against Kilmeena on Saturday week, the club has expressed its gratitude for how the team rallied around a colleague earlier this season.

On June 19, Liam Walsh was born 27 weeks premature to his parents Maura and Davy Walsh, the latter being a member of the Ballinrobe backroom team. Liam spent his first four weeks in the Intensive Care Unit of the Coombe Neo Natal Unit and there was great local concern for his wellbeing.

“Thanks to the extraordinary care he received at the Coombe, Liam was able to return home to Ballinrobe and is now doing well, much to the delight of his parents and their many friends. Our intermediate footballers, upon hearing of the support young Liam got during those challenging early days, held a whip-round, and donated €500 to the Friends of Coombe Hospital,” said a club spokesperson.

“Well done, lads. It was a thoughtful gesture by you and one that meant a great deal to the Walsh family. We’re all behind you in the final.”

Liam Walsh, Ballinrobe, sporting his Ballinrobe colours after Ballinrobe GAA Club made a donation to the Friends of Coombe Hospital. Liam spent his first four weeks in the Intensive Care Unit of the Coombe Neo Natal Unit.

Club colours

Meanwhile, local businesses have responded positively to an appeal from the club to get the maroon and yellow colours out in advance of the county final.

“We wish to express our sincere gratitude for the unwavering support we have received from the local business community over the years. All that support has led to this opportunity to win our first Mayo Intermediate title since 2002. In our history, we have won this title on three previous occasions – 1979, 2000 and 2002 – and we desperately want to make that four,” club chairperson John Sweeney commented in a note to local businesses.

“The club is committed to turning our town into a sea of maroon and yellow. In the next few days, as you will see, we will be putting up colours on the permanent flagpoles, and other vantage points, around the town. We invite you to take part by displaying the maroon and yellow in your premises. This is not only a show of support for our team but also a call to action to ensure a massive Ballinrobe roar in Castlebar.”

Since that communication, circulated on Wednesday last, colours have started to appear all over Ballinrobe. Local businesses have also been referencing the game on their social media accounts.