The Ballybay Club would like to confirm the appointment of Mr Michael Donnelly as senior team manager for the 2016 season. He will be training and managing for the year so we’re blessed to a have a man of calibre and experience associated with the club. The remainder of the management team will be announced in due course, but we wish Michael all the very best with the player & committee look forward to working with him throughout the year.

Charity event: Well done to all who participated, and those who kindly donated, in the soccer tournament in aid of Ballybay Cancer Society held in the Recreation Centre on Sunday the 27th of December. Over €500 was raised for this great cause, Ballybay Cancer Society. Deserved winners of the tournament were Brian McCabe, James Garraghan, Barry Macklin and Richie Reilly after beating the south Ballybay team Hugh Malone, Shane McGuiness, Barry Lennon & Colm Lennon, in the final on penalties. A big thank you to David McGregor for the use of the centre and also to Paul ‘Jose Mourinho’ McCabe for referring the games in a fair manner (despite some complaints from his local Knocknamaddy team). Special mention to Cillian McAviney for helping to arrange the various teams. Shot of the day was awarded to Niall Duffy for his fresh air effort and player of the tournament was Colm Lennon for some great displays and finishing the tournament as highest gaol scorer. Well done to all involved for a great afternoons entertainment.

The 2016 year for the Ballybay Pearse Brothers began with a dip in the town park on New Years Day. On the day 20 odd people took to the water ranging from current players to past players, committee members along with local publicans Liam Smyth & Gaby Kerr. The club would like to thank everyone who took part & helped in any way particularly those who came out to support in very cold & miserable weather conditions. A special mention must go Philip Duffy, Therese Smith & Martin McAviney who provided hot beverages for all in attendance while John Rutledge & Andy Wylie took photographs with Paul McCabe acting as MC on the day. The club would also like to thank the Ballybay Bowling club for the power supply for ensuring that power was available lake side. This is a major fund raiser for the club and we hope to grow it year on year. Thanks again to all who contributed in any measure.

Sympathy Ballybay Pearse Brothers would like to extend deepest sympathy to the family & friends of the late Zita McMahon (Nee) O’Connor. May she rest in peace.

Congratulations to Laura McBride & Colm Connolly, Kyle Wylie & Lorraine Sheils, James Mooney & Rosie McNally who all got married over the festive period. We wish them many year of happiness together.

Best wishes to all club players who are representing the county in the U21 Hasting Cup & the McKenna Cup along with the various third level teams that they attend.

Get well soon: Best wishes and a speedy recovery to Paul McCabe who underwent major surgery before the Christmas period. It was great to see him up and walking so soon after the operation and hope to see him on the playing fields in the very near further. Best of luck Paul.

Croker Tickets: Each of the players and committee members are currently selling tickets for the annual Croker Park GAA draw. Tickets are €10 each with some amazing prizes to be won. Make sure your in it to win. Additional tickets are available for Niall Duffy for any player or member who may require them. This is a major fundraiser for the club and we’d

encourage as many as possible to buy a ticket to the support the club and be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.

Bingo: Bingo will take place every Tuesday evening at the normal time of 9pm after coming back its Christmas Holidays on the 5th of January. If there’s any member of the public, particularly elderly ladies & gentlemen, who would like to attend the night but struggle for transportation there is a free bus run within the local area to bring people to & from the club rooms. If you like to avail of this service please contact any committee member.

Astro Turf. Please contact Brendan Macklin 087-6766283 for bookings. Interest is growing for the festive period, so get in early to ensure you’re not disappointed.

Finally happy New Year & best wishes in 2016 to all club members near and far. As always the club would not be as successful as it is without the support of the loyal and generous people of the Ballybay area who go above and beyond the call of duty to help the club in all sorts of ways, with a special mention to our main sponser Gerry McElory for all his kind generosity throughout the year.. We as a club aim to provide you with valve for money in return and hope that we can continue to receive your generosity in the 2016 season. Here’s to a successful 2016.