Ballinrobe captain
Tony Walkin
Tony Walkin is a member of one of Ballinrobe’s best-known footballing families – brothers Peter and Mark are also members of the squad today.
Tony starred with Ballinrobe CBS in a famous Connacht First Year Championship success in the late 1980s, when they beat St Muredach’s, Summerhill, St Colman’s and St Jarlath’s en route to victory. Later he moved to St Jarlath’s where he also made a big impression.
In 1991 he played at full-forward on the Mayo team in the All-Ireland minor final, where Mayo lost to
Since last year’s final he has married Maria Kilcoyne, sister of former
Martin Walsh
Ballinrobe manager Martin Walsh is a very respected man in the club. Three years ago, when the team had no manager, and no prospects, Martin stepped into the breach.
Through sheer hard work – and the sort of telephone bill that makes you wonder how eircom’s shares can’t make money – Martin put pride back into the club. Within a few months, he had guided Ballinrobe to the Mayo Intermediate final where they were unlucky to lose to Mayo Gaels by an injury-time point.
But if disappointment was their lot on that occasion, joy was lurking around the corner. Last year, Martin was at the helm when the Intermediate title was won, and he’s back again this season hoping to further the team’s evolution.
He comes from a sports-mad household. His wife Mary is one of the top Community Games officials in Mayo and she also coaches soccer teams at all levels. Their sons and one daughter Katie are all heavily involved in Ballinrobe teams – Katie already looks like she could be the next Cora Staunton, or even the one after the next one; she’s only 12 yet!
