What a month for LSA all across the club. Our membership has now reached 435, with 200 adult members, 235 Juveniles and Under 20s.Our Juvenile coaches have been busy returning to training with the focus on the Cross-Country season and looking ahead to the Indoor Track and Field season. Our Juvenile athletes took part in the Dublin Cross Country League series with races in Lusk and Tymon Park. Well done to all. Congratulations also to our coaches who have successfully completed Athletics Ireland Coaching courses. Our Juvenile coaches have also been inspiring our younger members: Dara Carr and Eimear Caulfield both have represented Ireland in the recent European Masters Athletics Championships in Pescara, Italy. Dara competed on the track in 100m, 200m and as part of a 4x 400m relay team that placed 4th overall. Eimear was the proud winner of a Gold medal as part of a winning Cross country team! Our adult members have been in top form. Our Fit4Life group is making sure to #nevermissaMonday. Many of our Intermediate and Advanced groups of athletes are now focused on the Marathon, inspired by recent top performances by our Berlin Marathon participants. But whether it’s a 2 hr 38-minute marathon, a 38-minute 5k, or helping out at our Juvenile training and events, there’s the Power of Support in LSA.

Well done to former Glebe North players Ruby McCarthy, Lia O’Leary and Hannah Healy wo were called into the Republic of Ireland WU19 squad in recent weeks. Ireland played their first game recently against Wales winning 7-0 with our very own 15-year-old Hannah Healy on the scoresheet. Well done girls, we are all so proud of you!

2023 was the first year we brought over an overseas female player , we spoke to Jaimie Lee Strang about how we wanted her to be a role model on and off the pitch and to help us win the league. Well, Jaimie Lee delivered on all fronts and was top class on and off the pitch , she’s already back home in Oz and into her new season and we wish her all the best for her season , hopefully more silverware. Thanks for Everything JL

Balbriggan U16s travelled to Drogheda recently to play Boyne RFC ‘B’ team in the last game of their North East group stage. Two tries from Kajus, one from Conor, and another very strong performance across the squad left the two teams tied on tries scored - the difference at the end being a couple of successful kicks from Boyne.

However, the day was about more than the rugby match; Boyne hosted a memorial event for Andrew Dobson, one of their much-loved coaches who passed away, far too young, a couple of years ago. After the match, Boyne hosted our team and parents to hospitality before presenting awards in Andrew’s name.

September was a busy month for the Club. Along with our regular 7 hours of training each week we had two special events. Early in the month our Tigers (4 -7yr olds) and our Juniors (7-12yrs old) were challenged to bring a Parent/Adult with them to training. Parents came out in force to support their kids and took part alongside them in training. They had great fun learning punching, kicking, kata and kumite and left with a newfound respect for what their kids do at training each and every week.

We also hosted a JKS Ireland Interclub Competition mid-month and had competitors attend Applewood Community Centre from Limerick, Monaghan and Drogheda as well as closer to home from Tallaght, Blanchardstown and Coolock. The first half of the morning was devoted to Kata competitions where the competitors gave of their best showing off how well they do Kata. After the break saw the competitors don their mitts for Kumite (Fighting). There were some great displays of karate technique on the day and the results for Swords Karate Club were excellent with members winning 7 Gold, 4 Silver and 12 Bronze medals. We take new members (Children, Young People and Adults) all through the year. 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: @jks_swords_karate_club

Fingallians are looking for your help to help them plan their 140th year celebrations next year. The club wish to put a committee together soon. As one of the original GAA Clubs founded in 1884 with the birth of the GAA, Fingallians have a long history and a story to tell. If you are interested in helping Fingallians please contact the club as they need your help to plan their celebrations in their milestone 140th Year They can be contacted at their email address fingallians@gmail.com or pro.fingallians.dublin@gaa.ie as soon as possible.

BY Eddie Ó Mórdha

I started with St Sylvesters GAA in 1977 and have had great times playing, coaching, socialising around the town, and in our Club Premises on Church Road since we opened in 1984. Prior to that we spent time in Gibney’s & The Diamond Bar where we served on Committees. The Diamond now Fowlers was owned by Eddie Nolan. The late Jack Gibney a supporter of Syls also served on the Committee with us together with the late Eddie Nolan. I am still around and saw Syls first teams in Men’s football and Hurling get to Championship Finals in the past while. Our Intermediate Woman’s Gaelic Football team also won the Intermediate All Ireland. It is amazing the hard work that has gone on over the years to produce the amazing Michael Gaffney Park in Broomfield. We certainly have come a long way since togging out under a tree for a few months in 1977, until we got portacabin dressing rooms. St Sylvesters have a great history dating back to 1903. I now have a little grandson, Henry. I am looking forward to teaching him the games and bringing him down to Broomfield. Syls Abú.

Malahide Lawn Tennis junior member, Killian Burke, is gearing up for an incredible adventure later this year. He will be participating in the great Ethiopian run! But that’s not all - Alongside the run, he will be raising funds for Orbis Ireland, a remarkable foundation that provides sight-saving surgery for individuals in the underprivileged southern community of Ethiopia. This is truly admirable for Killian to be doing this during his Transition year in school. Let’s rally together and show our support for Killian by helping him raise the necessary funds. Every contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Let’s join forces and make a positive impact together! Please use this to contribute orbisirl.enthuse.com/pf/killian-burke

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at the many ParkRun Ireland locations in Fingal County Council! Lace up your running shoes or take a leisurely stroll with our amazing Walk at Parkrun participants. No matter your pace, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Register now at //parkrun.ie and be part of the action-packed fitness event supported by Sport Ireland. Join our vibrant community and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for an active lifestyle. Get inspired, make new friends, and conquer personal milestones together. Don’t miss out on the excitement!

While our short break is finished, in the background Junsa has been planning our upcoming training sessions and competition calendar for the new season. We are also in preparation for taking on new students of all ages. At Junsa we have specific classes for different age groups of all abilities, from the 5 - to 50 year olds who want something new for fitness, discipline ,to become a black belt or to compete at local or international level Junsa Taekwondo can cater for everyone . If you are interested in an Olympic sport or marital art please contact Stuart on 087 7775202 or on Facebook Junsa Taekwondo.