The Senior Men’s team named ‘Dragunz’ have just completed their 1st year in the Dublin Men’s Basketball League in the 6th Division. Currently sitting at 3rd on the table with a possible drop out of the top 4 positions, which depends on remaining games from other teams. The season started at the end of September 2023 and ends at the start of May2024, Through this time the team succeeded to win half (9/9) of their scheduled games inthe league. Scheduled games are usually on Friday nights in Bremore ETNS, Balbriggan.The senior team is multi-national, with a core membership from within the Balbriggan community. Our club members who come from other areas include, Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Drogheda and Dunleer. Congratulations to the Senior Men’s Team of the Balbriggan Basketball ‘Dragunz’ for completing their 1st year as a topflight Basketball team. A huge round of applause and appreciation to the coaching staff, volunteers, parents and members who assisted, supported and participated in the sporting activities through the season. Balbriggan Basketball operates a Youth Academy that trains young people to participate in the sport of Basketball. The goals are; knowing how to play the sport, team building exercises, active participation in sports, and a fun place to make new friends. The inclusive club caters to anybody (Boys & Girls) interested in taking part in the sport and ages start from 6 to 15 years old for our junior members, and trainings are either on a Wednesday evening or Sunday morning. Proposed League Teams for 2024/2025 season -Senior Men (16years and above) Dragunz - Senior Women (16years and above) Phoenix Flames - U16 Boys team (from 12-15years) Falcons. We require more members, coaches, referees, volunteers, and community support to fulfil the aspirations of this admirable club. Testimonial Brandon Lengenhager - “I feel like we played well this year, there is room for improvement, just like everything in life. I cannot wait to get in the gym, and I know we will be better next year to get the top spot for sure.”

We in Swords Karate Club were pleased to welcome JKS Honbu Instructor Shohei Toyama Sensei recently. Ireland was his first stop on his whistle stop tour of Ireland, England and Scotland and it was his first visit to Ireland. Over the two-hour seminar we got to experience his high level of technical prowess as he brought the class through a range of kihon, kata and kumite. In kihon he emphasised correct hip and foot movements during kihon drills for gyakuzuki. He also emphasised the recovery of higiashi for mawashigeri in basics and kumite. This was rounded off with a study of Jion kata. The main emphasis of the evening across kihon, kumite and kata were the correct use of the hips. It was all very enjoyable. The course was attended by over ninety participants from Swords Karate Club and other JKS Clubs from around Ireland. It was a great turn out. We are looking forward to May, when we will have a visit by World Chief Instructor Kagawa Shihan 9 th Dan JKS.

The Club is always looking for new members (Children, Young People & Adults). Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join our club. You can also contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

Elite Basketball are delighted to host their Easter basketball camp for all levels, in Gormanston Park Co Meath. It will take place on April 2nd & 3rd for players aged 6-17yrs old. Each player will receive the best class coaching from European professionals as well as US pros. Bring your own ball if possible! We are also delighted to announce that this summer the NBA comes to Ireland and will hosta residential Basketball camp in Dublin and Meath. We will have two of the top current NBA skills trainer in the business who work daily with the top NBA players in the business as well as coaches from the NBA and NCAA flying in to work our camps. Without doubt it promises to be the best camp in the country and already we have bookings from France, Spain, Italy Holland and a group from California already committed. Book your you place ASAP as spaces are limited! Reserve from as little as €100 with payment plan options. euroelitebasketball.com

We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Farrell and Joe O’Grady as managers of our Junior A and Junior B Ladies football teams respectively. They are looking for players! If you played football before with Syls and would like to return, or you’re new to the area, drop us a line at stsylvesters.dublin@lgfa.ie.

This past month at Junsa has been busy in our preparation for our upcoming local competition. There will be clubs from all over Dublin and the surrounding areas. This tournament will be a decider to see if some of our players will travel abroad to compete for Junsa. If their performances are good, then they could make the next step to international competition. We have also been focusing on our under 6’s age group, teaching them the basic fundamentals of Taekwondo and hand, foot and eye coordination, skills that will stand to them in life.

The club had without doubt its biggest ever travelling numbers at the end of January when over 90 took part in the Raheny 5 mile. This was followed in February by great participation at the Trim 10 mile, Dungarvan 10 mile and the Donadea 50k. The latter was also the occasion of Peter Doyle’s 100th marathon. It was fitting that he crossed the line with another member of the 100 club , Eddie Hamilton. Daniel O’Brien has been in fine form with multiple podium finishes in recent cross country races. Our 40 day 6am runs started in February so why not join us for a few of the early morning 5k’s this month. Finally, we’re looking forward to the annual Lusk 4 mile on Sunday 3rd March at 3pm. Thanks to all who have been working on the preparations and to those helping out on the day.

LSA Juvenile athletes did our club proud in the recent Dublin Indoor Championships, with superb performances and two Dublin titles amid a host of of personal bests from our participating athletes. Michelle Branigan opened the LSA medal table with a Bronze in the Under 19 400m. There was more excitement as Sinéad Farrell took Silver in the 1500m with a new Personal Best of 4:57. 83. This was soon followed by Éabha O’Farrell who set a Personal Best in the Under 18 400m heats, backed up by another Personal Best of 1:02.8 to take the gold in the final. Éabha went on to add a bronze medal to her collection with a third place finish in Under 18 High Jump! Suzie Linkiewicz brought the LSA medal tally to five with a Bronze in the Under 19 200m and a superb Gold in the U19 60m with a Personal Best of 7. 95s.Michelle, Sinéad, Éabha and Suzie now progress to the National Championships in April. Our youngest competitor, Kate Jones, continued to show great promise as she took on the full range of indoor run, jump and throw events in the Under 12 age group. We were also very proud to see Frank Richardson, Maria Sheridan, Lily Maher, Laoise Farrell, Leon Capocci, Mark Kelly, Daniel Minto, Leá Hubert and Francesca Marchanka represent LSA on the track, and Leá also take on High Jump. We look forward to seeing everyone progress as the Outdoor season approaches. We always welcome new members and volunteers. If you want to help please contact us anytime at lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com Little Athletics and Juvenile athletes (from age 7-18) please contact lsajuvenilereg@gmail.comKeep up to date on all the events by following LSA on our social media pages! Facebook - facebook.com/lambaysportsacademy Instagram instagram.com/lsadonabateportrane/ - twitter.com/LSARunning Please also visit our website lambaysportsathletics.ie/

2024 kicked in when we returned to training on 2nd January. Christmas break and goodies long forgotten, all classes resumed in the first week of the New Year and all trained well. We hosted our first event of the new year on 7th January – hosting the JKS National Brown & Belt training session as well as the JKS Open Squad Session, welcoming our friends from around the country to Swords. 2024 will be a busy year with these events being held monthly to help raise funds to send our students who have been selected to represent Ireland at the World Karate Championships in Japan this July. As part of our fundraising efforts, we will be holding a Race Night Fundraiser on Saturday 17th February 2024 in Graingers. The Manor Inn, Swords, Co. Dublin. It promises to be an exciting night with 10 races, raffle and auction. All members of the community are invited to attend and have a good night out while at the same time supporting the local kids selected for Japan 2024. We have Toyama Sensei from the JKS Japan Headquarters visiting us at the end of January. He is a truly phenomenal technician, with superb karate skills and we hope to have a very enjoyable training session with him. He is one of three Japanese instructors we will have visiting us this year, with Kagawa Shihan visiting in May and Yamaguchi Sensei visiting in October. We are looking forward to an exciting fun packed 2024. The Club is looking always for new members (Children, Young People & Adults). Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join. You can also contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: or indeed @jks_swords_karate_club.

After a short Christmas and New Year’s break Junsa Taekwondo are back in action and are preparing for the new Taekwondo season ahead. Even though we train experienced athletes our main goal is to nurture the young students that are up and coming, while sparring competition is not for everyone Taekwondo has so many components to it that there’s nearly something for everyone in Olympic Taekwondo. If it’s to build confidence, get fit, become a black belt, become a poomsae expert, International athlete, Olympic Champion or just have fun doing a great sport we can do it at Junsa Taekwondo

It’s been a hectic start to the New Year with Round 1 and 2 of the National Indoor League as well as the Master’s Cross-Country event in Raheny all taking place in the first two weeks of January. Welcome to our latest Fit4Life group and if you’re thinking about it there’s still time to sign up. Our 6am 5k runs will start from 14th February so watch our social media for details. The annual Lusk 4 mile event takes place on Sunday 3rd March so why not sign up to run or walk. Well done to Conor McGuirk who competed at the Celtic Cross Country Championships in Scotland finishing in 10th place to help secure a bronze medal for Ireland. Congratulations to Conor and his coaches.