Celebrating 100 Years of Ballinora GAA (1924–2024)
2024 was a landmark year for Ballinora GAA as we celebrated our centenary with a range of events, a testament to 100 years of sporting excellence, community spirit, and dedication to Gaelic games. This year was about honoring our past, celebrating the present, and building for the future.
We are immensely grateful to our founding members, club officers, players, and supporters who have been the backbone of this great club for the last century. A comprehensive history of Ballinora GAA is available here.
Centenary events organised during the year:
January 2024: Centenary Jersey
The year kicked off with the unveiling of a special centenary jersey, proudly worn by our adult teams throughout the year.
16 February 2024: Ballinora GAA Centenary Launch & Unfolding of Centenary Flag
Ballinora GAA organised a fantastic night at Ballinora GAA Hall for the centenary launch and juvenile awards.
Our special guest was Jimmy Barry-Murphy, who addressed our youths. Also in attendance were Cork County Board Chair Pat Horgan, Officer Donal McSweeney, Muskerry Board Chair John Feeney, and Secretary Enda Linehan.
Barry O’Mahony wrote the following article published in The Echo: Read the article.
Photos from the event are available here:
Some related social media posts:
Additional photos by Claire Dooley, Jerry Foley, and Andrew Horgan:
March 2024: “100 Trees for 100 Years”
The club distributed 100 trees throughout the community, with special thanks to the Smyth family of Ballymah for their support. Read more here.
10 April 2024 – Centenary History Talk with Ballinora NS
Centenary Chair Pat Lane and Ballinora GAA Club President Michael O’Connor met with Ballinora NS school children in the GAA Hall to explain the early history of Ballinora GAA. They answered probing and insightful questions from the students, fostering a deeper connection to the club’s rich heritage.
Read more on our Facebook post.
10 April 2024 – Cork Sports Sunday Interview
An interview by Michael Scanlon for Cork Sports Sunday C103 featured Ballinora GAA’s Club President, Club Chair, and Centenary Committee Chair. The discussion highlighted the history and progress of Ballinora GAA over the past 100 years.
Listen to the full interview here.
20 April 2024 – Ballinora GAA Centenary Day
Ballinora GAA celebrated Centenary Day with a fantastic array of activities, bringing the community together in honor of this historic milestone. The day began with the U15s hosting Beara in a competitive football match. This was followed by a centenary art competition and speeches from Centenary Chair Pat Lane and Club President Michael O’Connor. The celebration reached a high point with the hoisting of the Ballinora GAA centenary flag.
The day concluded with a lively “blow-ins vs locals” football match, with players being led onto the pitch by a piper, adding a touch of tradition and festivity.
Centenary Art Competition
The brief for Ballinora NS students was to create a drawing or piece of art based on the theme of Ballinora GAA’s centenary: 100 years of GAA. Congratulations to Conor Fenton, Roisin Crowley, Evan Kingston, Ollie Sheehan, and Áine Crowley, who won prizes for their outstanding work.
A selection of the best entries can be viewed here.
Additional photos from the day are available in this gallery.
Thanks to Our Photographers
Special thanks to Claire Dooley for capturing the spirit of the day. View her photos here.
Thanks also to Damien O’Sullivan for his fantastic photography. See his collection here.
Video Highlights
Stephen Byrne compiled some wonderful video clips to commemorate this important day for the club:
8 May 2024 – Echo article on Ballinora GAA centenary by Barry O’Mahony
Ballinora celebrate turning 100: Read the article
17 and 18 June 2024 – Tony O’Mahony Centenary Hurling Tournament
28 August 2024 – Echo Article on Ballinora GAA Golf Classic by Barry O’Mahony
Read more on our Facebook post here
20 October 2024 – Donie Healy Centenary Cup Hurling Tournament
See the photos here.
3 November 2024 – Centenary Mass
Centenary mass to remember the men and women who formed Ballinora GAA club 100 years ago, all deceased members, and the community at large who have supported Ballinora GAA Club over the last 100 years.
December 2024 – Centenary Plaque
Designing and commissioning the manufacture of the centenary plaque. Erected in Ballymah December 2024.
Ongoing – Centenary Wall Mural
The club has also initiated discussion on a centenary wall mural which is ongoing.
On-Field Success
Throughout this special centenary year, Ballinora GAA proudly celebrated not only its rich history but also its incredible achievements on the pitch. The year was marked by significant victories and milestones that honored the spirit of the centenary in the best possible way.
Junior A Mid-Cork 4-in-a-Row
Ballinora’s Junior A team made history by securing their fourth consecutive Mid-Cork championship, a remarkable testament to their consistency and skill.
U21 Football & Hurling Titles
The U21s team brought home a well-deserved Mid Cork A Football title, adding to the club’s legacy of excellence in football.
The U21s followed up their football success with a Mid Cork B Hurling victory versus Aghabullogue in November.
U15s Féile Success
Our U15s had a phenomenal year, achieving multiple victories across Féile competitions:
Camogie and LGF Achievements
Our sister club Camogie and LGF had an extraordinary year, securing a remarkable double success. Huge congratulations to the camogie team for reaching senior status after winning the Premier Intermediate County title!
Photos
A selection of team photos from this memorable year can be viewed here:
Special thanks to all of our photographers/coaches for capturing so many great moments during our centenary year. To see the full collections of photos, visit:
A Year of Reflection and Gratitude
The centenary was not just about celebration—it was about remembering and honoring those who built Ballinora GAA, and fostering a deeper connection with our community. We look forward to the next 100 years with pride and excitement.
Stay tuned for more updates and photos on our Facebook Page
Baile Nóra Abú!
