We were privileged to host the head of JKS Worldwide, Kagawa Shihan 9 th Dan JKS,recently for a training seminar. Over 10 hours, Kagawa Shihan gave masterful karate instruction in kihon, kata and kumite. Over 100 JKS members from across Ireland attended Applewood Community Centre to take part. The attendees ranged in age from 6 to over 60 years and Kagawa Shihan was mindful to cater to everyone who was training. We hope to have him visit next year again. It is great to offer our students the opportunity to train which such a high calibre karateka. Congratulations are in order for all the JKS Ireland students who completed their belt grading examination at the National Grading including those who took the Black Belt Dan grade under the watchful eye of Kagawa Shihan. All of these karateka were dedicated in their training to achieve their new grades through tough examinations. Regular training continues weekly in Applewood Community Centre. All classes are enjoying being back to a regular schedule after the long Easter break in April. The next event for members is the 3 rd JKS Inter Club Competition which will be held in Tyrrelstown in June. We hope to have some medal winners on the day. We take new members (Children, Young People & Adults) all through the year. Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join. Contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

Malahide United were very pleased to become involved in hosting a recent round of Special Olympics Eastern Region league matches on Sat 15th April between 2pm and 5pm. The club hosted 20 teams (200 players) from Division 1, 2,3,4 and 5 including our own Malahide United Football For All team. It was a great day out for the players who really enjoyed competitive football. A good sized crowd dropped along to support the event. Remember if you know anyone who may be interested in joining our team please contact on Steve 087 1950892.

Well done to the 2014 girls who finally had their first under-9 football matches against Skerries and Binn Eadair recently.. A massive thanks to Syl’s players Kate Sullivan, Sinead Aherne, Niamh McEvoy, Clodagh Fox, Danielle Lawless, Mia Roche, Sarah O’Donnell and Kate O’Toole who gave the girls some fantastic training sessions in the run-up to the games.

The students at Junsa Taekwondo have been busy preparing for many aspects of our martial art and sport. The summer grading, national development sparring competitions, poomsae training sessions, national and international competitions, referee seminars and the Lusk summer festival all have to be prepared for, and everyone is striving to be the best they can be. That’s why at Junsa we say there is something for everyone in Taekwondo. Our big story this month is one for great celebration. Jack Weldon Murphy has gone from refereeing at local tournaments to international competitions in the UK and Europe. That is outstanding Jack!

There has been a wide range of activity in recent weeks for Lusk AC athletes. Peter Doyle completed the Rome Marathon, Colin Browne and Colm Donoghue represented Ireland at the World Masters in Poland. Our 40-Day 6am challenge came to an end with Jackie Moore completing all of them. Liam Halpin registered his 300th parkrun while Aidan Langley volunteered at his 200th parkrun. There were also large numbers from the club competing at the National Championships for both the 10 mile Battle of Clontarf race in St Anne’s Park and the Great Ireland 10k in Phoenix Park. Congratulations also to all juvenile athletes who competed at the recent Nationals. We encourage all our young athletes to take part in the upcoming Dublin Juvenile Outdoor Leagues.

Best of luck to all our teams as they set out on their 2023 season. All support is welcome at our fixtures. Details on dates, venues and times of home fixtures can be viewed on our website at roundtowerslusk.ie Nursery every Saturday for all children aged 4 to 7 years. 11.00am to 12.00pm. We have had great attendances and as always, new players are always welcome!

LGFA - April - Well done to members of the Under13 girls’ team visited St Sylvester’s GAA club took part in the Skills4Girls Camp with Dublin Senior footballer Niamh McEvoy as Head Coach.

April – The Round Towers u10s has a trip to Croke park and won all 4 games beating St Brigid’sfrom Co Carlow, Truagh from Co Monaghan, Dromand from Co Longford and Bray Emmets from Co Wicklow. We are all very proud of the players and thanks to the ladies’ section in the club for all their support. Also in April, Round Towers Robyn Kendellen U14s played for Dublin Championship squad. Congratulations to Robyn and to all coaching staff involved. Well done to Round Towers Lucy Hayes U13 girls who was nominated by the U10 girls to come and referee in Croke Park and Interviewed post-game! All new players are welcome to join across all divisions! In April our Round Towers Hurling had some fantastic achievements that deserve a special mention and a big well done to the players and coaches involved. Big well done to Round Towers Dylan Mulligan (U15 boys) who played for the Dublin U15 hurlers beating Waterford. Big Well done to Darragh Kilduff from Round Towers U 16’s makes appearances for Dublin Minor Hurling! Great to see the Towers gear proudly worn in Seboka National School, Lesotho, Africa. Pat Codd and Aidan McKenna are down there volunteering with Action Ireland Trust. Many thanks also to Morgan Doran for his donation of Jerseys from Rush National School. Our Round Towers Adult Mens football is proudly sponsored by local solicitors, Liam Fitzgerald, thank you for their continued support. All home games have a new Barista Bandstand coffee and refreshments offerings. Please do visit our GAA Round Towers Lusk club website on the following web address linktr.ee/roundtowerlusk to explore our many social events and the O’Neills shop.

Plans are well advanced for the St Pats Golf Classic which will be held at Beaverstown Golf Club later this month. The Classic will take place from 8am - 4pm on May 26th! The fees are as follows: From 8am -12pm: Team of 4 = €160 - The second grouping is From 12pm -4pm: Team of 4 = €200

To register call Beaverstown Golf Club on 01 8436439 - press 2 for proshop and all support will be greatly appreciated.

IFE Sportland recently hosted the new edition of Gardaland Cup,the youth football tournament that takes place at Easter in the fields near the beautiful Garda Lake in Italy. The tournament will involved a fantastic international atmosphere and the beautiful Gardaland park, which has always characterized it. Many teams from all over Italy and from northern Europe, awaited with trepidation the kick-off of the Gardaland Cup! It was played on fields in Castelnuovo, Peschiera, Bussolengo, Sommacampagna, Pastrengo and Villafranca. The tournament is authorized by F.I.G.C and is promoted by IFE Sportland. The Glebe North Under 14 team closed the Gardaland Cup with 2 wins in two games today. The team and parents enjoyed a very good pizza in a local restaurant after the medals presentation. Well done to all!

A recent article by Cricket Europe has recognised the wonderful achievements and players of Balbriggan Cricket Club. The article stated: The defending champions aren’t content with one Premier League crown. They have tasted success and want more silverware as they look to build strong structures throughout the club. 2022 was undoubtedly the best year in the clubs history with the first team winning the premier league at the first time of asking, as well as promotion for the seconds and thirds, plus the launching of Women’s cricket in the club. Promising South African bowling all-rounder Matt Pollard is their overseas player, while the additions of Cameron Rowe, Sam Willmse, Waqa Azmat, Emad Uddin, and Bilal Iqbal will strengthen the playing base as unfortunately, the wonderful Nathan Rooney is the only first team departure from last season. The club told Cricket Europe, “The focus is now firmly on the 2023 season and the players are chomping at the bit to get going,” said a club spokesperson.At the start of last season, first team captain Greg Ford said that any team in the league could win it or anyone could be relegated and this season will be no different with eight very strong teams and games will be as exciting as always in the Leinster Premier division. The buzz about the club is amazing and with the 3 lane indoor centre hopefully complete before the end of the year , we’re hoping that 2023 is another memorable year for the club. The players have wintered well, we have lot of young players such as Cian Rooney, Druhan and Kaelin Knight, Aadi Wankhade, Brian Dunphy, Ryan Keenan, Fionn Bannister and Jose O’Carroll , who we hope to see moving up the grades within the club. In terms of the 1s and 2s Squad , we have had a few guys training with Leinster Lightning all winter and young gun Eoin Birch is just back from South Africa with the Irish U19s, so we have guys who are ready to hit the ground running. We welcome some strong players into the club who are all looking forward to pulling on the navy and blue and working with Andre Botha.”

Welcome to the new Basketball Academy in Balbriggan which was set up to be inclusive whilst supporting youth development and empowerment in life skills and Basketball ability. Our academy opened doors to its membership in January 2023 but began in November 2022. Presently we are looking for individuals of any age and level, who would be interested in playing Basketball for weekly pickup games or to join teams who will be entering next season’s league schedule. We are also seeking Local Basketball Referees immediately, can you help? WHAT WE DO! - Our academy runs through the school year and it is a place where young people can widen their knowledge of the sport as well as gain official certification as well as leadership and management skills. WHERE ARE WE! - Our home court is located at Bremore ETNS in Balbriggan where we utilise the gym facilities on Wednesday and Friday evenings. WHO TO CONTACT! - So please feel free to use this contact email for all queries/ information and we will contact you asap balbrigganbasketballclub@gmail.com. Or contact the Academy on facebook at Balbriggan Basketball Academy;