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;

Ardgillan College’s senior girls rugby team reached the final of the Leinster Senior Cup in March 2023 but sadly were narrowly defeated by Newbridge College. Not only did they play brilliantly however, they have also managed to qualify for the All Ireland rugby 7’s Championship which is something to look forward to. The Junior and Senior boys rugby teams won their respective Fingal Cups in two thrilling games vs Malahide CS just before Easter Break. They delighted in bringing the two trophies back to the college to show Principal Ní Mhurchu who congratulated both teams. Everyone at the college is immensely proud of the students. A huge thanks to their school rugby coaches Mr. Goodman and Mr. Conoulty and their local rugby club in Balbriggan for all their support.

Open Squad training recently for all members of JKS Ireland. Over 2 hours, we covered Kihon (basics), Kata (forms) and Kumite (fighting). Everyone worked hard and trained diligently. The class was split up into groups by grade and the JKS Ireland Instructors taught each separate group. We hosted National Brown 7 Black belt training also. Students preparing to take the Black Belt examination in the near future were put through their syllabus and kata by Dermot O Keeffe Sensei, 7th Dan JKS. We welcome new members all the time. Our classes are as follows: Tigers (5yrs – 7yrs) Thursday 4pm & Saturday 10am. Juniors Tuesday 6pm and Thursday 5pm. Seniors Tuesday 7pm and Thursday 7pm. The first class to try out is free. Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join our club. Or do feel free to contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: jks_swords_karate_club

Congratulations and our very best wishes for the future to Andrey Pricop on recently becoming Dublin champion. We are delighted for Andrey who works hard day in and day out down the club. Brilliant work Andrey and congratulations once again from everyone at Swords Boxing Club.

Our U8 girls had an experience to remember at Parnell Park when they played at half time during the Dublin Camogie v Kilkenny game. Congratulations to the 2015 girls, fresh out of the Academy this year, who took to the field during the half time break at Parnell Park during the Dublin Camogie v Kilkenny match today! Thanks too to their sponsors The View Malahide for their windbreakers & hats keeping them warm! The girls were buzzing after playing Fingallians GAA Club and then meeting their camogie heroes. The Dublin ladies were phenomenal, chatting with the the girls and signing hurls afterwards.

As part of International Women’s Week the Women’s KickFit groups came together in a game at Gannon Park Malahide Utd recently which saw teams from Malahide Utd V Howth Celtic competing in a Women’s KickFit Game on Sunday 5th March. There was plenty of skills on show on the day. The KF programme is to bring women together from 18+ who don’t play on a team and want the fun and craic in an non-competitive way and use the programme as a social event and maybe get involved in their local club.

A Happy Easter to all our members and friends at home and around the world.

At Junsa we have been busy preparing our students for tournaments at home and in Europe. Taekwondo Ireland have been running development training sessions and competitions for our young and up and coming athletes which Junsa has been attending. These development competitions are very important as this gives our younger students the opportunity to set some of their goals and improve there competition skills. We are also preparing our more advanced fighters for European events. We strive to meet everyone’s expectations and help fulfil our students goals.

The events have been coming thick and fast this year and by the middle of March it seems like most of the club had taken part in at least one Indoor competition or road race. Younger members of the club had a fantastic 5 days of Indoor Juvenile competition at the National Indoor Arena while our Junior, Seniors and Masters were at the same venue for the Leinster Indoor Championships. There was a huge medal haul for the club which is the icing on the cake after a hard winter of training.
The Lusk 4 mile gets bigger and better with each year and this time even the weather was on our side. 660 completed the 4 mile with over 200 also taking part in the Thomas Ashe Dash. Many thanks to all who volunteered at the event and to all the sponsors and local community for their support. The club had great participation in two Road races on Sunday 12th March with 60 of our athletes in action. The Windmill 10k (Men’s Dublin 10k Championship) in Garristown and the Bohermeen Half Marathon in Co Meath saw some brilliant running by our long distance men and women. We look forward to a summer of continued success and enjoyment.

Congratulations to our U18 AB Girl’s team who won their Leinster League Final recently. What an incredible match between AB and Athy, two equally matched teams. This is the first League title for our girl’s section, and is the culmination of years of hard work and team building. Well done and Congratulations to all the team and coaches.