It would be hard to find a footballer in Ballyvary who has not won a medal. Take for instance, Mr Jim Rattigan. He showed me not one but SEVEN medals, which he won with Balyvary and Castlebar.

How these and the rest of the medals scattered throughout this little village were won starts back in 1928 when the club was formed. The club was formed through the efforts of Michael Reilly (who later won Conaught Junior honours with Mayo) and local national schol teacher, Mr John Molloy. The team was called Keelogues Warriors (club colours: blue). "Come on the Blues and use your shoes!" was the jingle with which supporters urged on their team in the early days.

Two Finals

Competing then in the West Mayo Junior Championship, the team reached two divisional finals by 1931.But they lost both. Their opponents in one were Ballyhaunis (who like Ballyvarry now compete for the Eastern title), who defeated them by two points.

In 1933 the Mayo GAA Board organised the first Intermediate championship. Ballyvarry amalgamated with Balla to take part in the competition - but with little success. The club disbanded the following year due to lack of funds and the palyers joined up with Castlebar.

This was the position until 1936 when the club was revived, this time through the efforts of Rev. Tom Canning, a cousin of local publican and ex footballer Joe Canning. This time it was decided to name the team 'Ballyvary Davitts'. The new team reached the West Mayo Final once more, only to be beaten by Newport after two replays. Four McHale brothers figured on that Ballyvary team; Frank (now a priest), Joe, Vincent nad Chris. Also in the lineout were P. O Loughlin who won a National League medal with Mayo around that time; William Stenson, holder of a Connaught Minor medal; Tom Golden, winner of an All Ireland Junior medal with Mayo, Joe Hennelly and Jim Rattigan, who won Connaught honours with Mayo Juniors.

In those great halycon years Ballyvary took part in 13 football tournaments - winning eleven and drawing one. The other tournament was not completed. But the club broke up again after a couple of years - once more for lack of funds. Three club players- Joe Canning, Joe Hennelly and Joe Bourke - joined Foxford with whom they won East Mayo Junior medals. And Joe Canning also won a Castlebar town league medal that season.

The Ballyvary team was reformed in 1949 only to fade from the scene one year later. This time seven players threw in their lot with Balla. Ballyvarry was not heard of again until 1958 when Johnny Jordan and Mickey Kelly held a dance in the local hall to raise funds to revive the club. The dance realsied only £10, but that was enough to inject life back into the defunct club.

Phoenix Like

And Ballyvary, Phoenix like, rising from its own ashes went on to win the Canon Henry Cup in 1959, and the East Mayo Championship later that season. They also qualified for the Mayo County final only to be beaten by Ardnaree by 5 points at Castlebar.

The Ballyvary team which was beaten by Ardnaree in the 1959 Mayo Junior Final.

Back row: V McCombs, K McMurray, B Kearney, M Kelly, B Towey, P McHale, F reilly, T Joyce. Front row: G McCombs, J Connor, G Cunnane, S McNicholas, M Connor, K McNicholas, M Cunnane.

Ballyvary won the divisional title for the next two seasons but each time were pipped in the county semifinal. And they failed by a solitary point to defeat Charlestown in the 1963 East Mayo final.Charlestown went on to win the county title.

Ballyvary qualified for their fifth divisional final in a row last year, but lost by a disputed point to Ballyhaunis.

They also reached the Mayo non-colleges' minor league final, but, after a thrilling game, they were beaten by the narrowest of margins by Burrishoole at Ballinrobe. It was Ballyvary's third game in a week, and that undoubtedly affected their play.

This season, Ballyvary automatically competed in the revived intermediate championship, where they lost to Hollymount but defeated fancied Ballyhaunis at Charlestown.

In their third and final outing they were well beaten by Garrymore, the eventual championship winners, at Castlebar.

LIMELIGHT

But, led by players like Veitch McCombs and Jimmy Hennigan, who have played for Mayo, there is no doubt that Ballyvary will be back in the footballing limelight in the very near future.

Officers of the present club are:- President: Mr. J. Joyce; Chairman: Mr. J. Kennedy; Vice-Chairman: Mr. J. Molloy; Secretary: Mr. G. Cunnane; Assistant Secertary: Mr. J. Jordan; Treasurer: Mr. J. McCombs.