Lambay Sports and Athletics is an Athletics club for all the Community, taking our name from the wonderful views of Lambay Island. On 26th May we will host the third edition of our 4 Mile Road race. LSA members volunteer with race organisation and we hope to welcome participants from all over Dublin and beyond to the roads of our beautiful environment. In the last month LSA members have been participating in events around the country and internationally. The LSA Community showed the power of support in an epic ultra marathon fundraiser in Newbridge Park. Our ever-popular club member Paudie Byrne ran 65km by completing 22 laps of Newbridge Park, with the support of a huge team from the LSA Events committee and our various training groups. The sun shone as Paudie completed his final laps, over €7100 (at the time of going to press) for the Cystic Fibrosis Ireland 65 Roses campaign. Dara Carr and Michal Kowalski represented Ireland in the European Masters Athletics Championships Indoors in Torún, Poland. Dara is a sprinter, and the powerhouse behind much of our club, especially our Little Athletics programme and Summer Camp. Dara was part of two Bronze medal winning relay teams in her age category: Women’s 4 x 200m and Mixed 4 x 200m. Meanwhile on the roads, our members had a great outing at the Bohermeen Half Marathon. This was followed by Leinster Senior medals and Dublin Masters Gold at the 10 mile Championships event at the Battle of Clontarf for our women’s team (Eimear Caulfield, Sinead Kiernan and Mary McNamara) on Easter Monday. The following week our Masters Men’s team (Shane O’Farrell, Keith Byrne, Fintan Counihan, Ken Spratt) won Gold in the Dublin 10km Championships at the Garristown Windmill run. Next it is our turn to host a road race - please join us at the scenic LSA 4 mile race on Sunday 26th May 2024. We always welcome new members and volunteers. If you would like to get involved please contact us - details below: Adult memberships queries please contact lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com Little Athletics and Juvenile athletes (from age 7-18) please contact lsajuvenilereg@gmail.com Keep up to date on all the events by following LSA on our social media pages!

Donabate Basketball celebrated our league win with the U14’s boys team.

We swapped the basketball for a spot of bowling. A truly Great evening was had by one and all. We continue with our training for next season over the coming weeks with some friendly games set on the calendar. We are delighted to have U14 Div 2 team and U15 Div 1 team for next season. The boys and girls academy is also in operation. Training takes place in DP Community Centre evenings and weekends. So, if you are interested in joining us please make contact: Our Key Contacts: Paul Mitchell – Club Secretary, U17 Girls - Con O’Leary & Alan Proctor – Coaches of Under 14 & 15 Boys Marie O’Leary – Child Protection Officer - Frank Koenicke & Serge Nyange – Boys Academy Coaches - Sophie Mitchell & Katelyn Byrne– Girls Academy Coaches. We urge any people living locally to contact us if they have interest in getting their children involved or volunteering to help with coaching. Contact can be made in DPCC where there are information boards that have relevant contact information.

Hosting the Leinster Rugby Women’s Finals Day was a huge undertaking for our club. A lot of work went on behind the scenes to ensure that the day would be the success that it deserved to be, showcasing women in sport and what community clubs do best.

The event would not have been possible without the support and assistance of Cllr Tony Murphy who helped secure funding from Fingal County Council and Our Balbriggan for the event. Thanks also to Breffni O’Rourke of Our Balbriggan and Gerry Reardon of Fingal Sports Office for their support of this major event. The day epitomised that when clubs and community come together, we can achieve great things. Thank you to our neighbours North County Cricket Club for the use of their dressing rooms to help facilitate the 12 teams taking part in Leinster Women’s Finals Day. North County Cricket Club could not have been more helpful to us. Thank you to Marc Hynes at Java the Hut Artisan Coffee Roasters who went to great effort to set us up with an outdoor coffee dock. Marc and his team were also busy preparing for the London Coffee Festival, which they attended at the weekend. Well done Marc and the Java the Hut team. Thank you to Donogh McGowan at Gerrard L.McGowan Solicitors who put in a lot of hours in helping us to secure the one day licence for the bar. A big thank you as well to the Moriarty family and The Bracken Court Hotel for their support of the Leinster Rugby Women’s Finals Day at Balbriggan RFC. The Moriarty family and the Bracken Court Hotel have helped Balbriggan RFC as well as other clubs in our Community for many years. Without their support, Sunday’s festival of rugby at Balbriggan RFC could not have happened. They pulled out all the stops ensuring that the bar on the day and catering for all the teams was run in the most professional manner. Thank you from everyone at Balbriggan RFC. All of these things coming together helped the day run smoothly and successfully.

Balbriggan Roadrunners will be hosting the 9th annual event as part of the Balbriggan Summerfest 2024. The 5km run/walk is open to participants of all abilities and takes place along a scenic coastal route. This is known for fine after-food refreshments & hospitality. Individual €15 Family of 4: €40 (children u16) Group entry 20 or more €12.50 per person Contact Support@myrunresults.com All participants will receive a finishers medal Children should not be on scooters, roller skates or bikes when participating in the event.

An exciting new partnership has been announced between the Fingal Athletics League and Morton Games that will help the growth of athletics in Fingal and help create unparalleled opportunities for young athletes. The collaboration between the Fingal Athletics League - known for its commitment to grassroots development - and Morton Games - a World Athletics Continental Tour International track and field event - brings together two pillars of athletics in one of the countries youngest regions. Morton Games, which takes place in the Morton Stadium, Dublin has since 2011 consistently attracted top-tier athletes from around the globe to its prestigious events. By partnering with Fingal Athletics League, Morton Games aims to strengthen its commitment to nurturing talent at all levels of the sport. Located in Fingal, Morton Stadium has undergone a significant €3m refurbishment project led by Dublin City University and which sees a new Mondo track installed. The stadium is also home to the iconic Morton Mile event which attracts domestic and international stars. This collaboration signifies a new chapter in athletics, one that is characterised by unity, collaboration, and a shared passion for the sport. Fingal Athletics League and Morton Games look forward to a bright future of growth, innovation, and success. The Fingal Athletics League Finals Day will take place on 24th April at ALSAA Sports Complex, with 2,700 students from 61 primary schools across Fingal coming together to showcase their talent. Morton Games takes place on Friday July 12th in the Morton Stadium Dublin from 5.30pm with the international programme starting at 7.00pm. For further details visit mortongames.ie/

We had our fundraising Race night recently to support our club members who will be competing in the World Karate Championships in Japan this July. A great night was had by all and we raised a good amount for the club members travelling for this big event.

We also had Squad training this month. A good mix of kihon, kata and kumite which pushed all attendees to their limits over the two hour session.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.

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!

Rush Cricket Club would like to wish Rush Local the best of luck.The cricket season kicks off in April and Rush Cricket Club are always open to new and old players taking part in the sport in our lovely town of Rush. Formed in 1931 and currently based on the Skerries Road we are an inclusive and welcoming club in the town of Rush offering top class cricket facilities along with a fully stocked bar for our supporters and visiting teams. We offer cricket to all from the ages of four up to as long as you can hold a cricket bat. With a range of Juvenile teams (U7 to U17) and six adult teams made up of 4 Men’s teams and 2 Women’s teams playing in the Leinster leagues. Training for ages 4-11 begins in May which take place every Friday evening from 6.30pm – 8.30pm and weather permitting allows for the parents to stay, spectate, and enjoy a BBQ. We are always looking for parents to get involved also to help man the BBQ, assist mentoring a team or play social cricket with other parents. Rush Cricket Club has steep history in Irish cricket and has helped to produce senior Irish Internationals including Eoin Morgan, Fintan McAllister, Neil Rock and Stephen Doheny and no doubt the next one is not far away. Please contact rushcricket@gmail.com or Patrick Monks (Hon Sec) 083 0752197 for further information on getting involved.

In the heart of Fingal, Rush Boxing Club stands as a testament to the dedication, skill, and triumphs within the world of combat sports. Offering a diverse range of disciplines including Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), this club has become a breeding ground for champions. Among the notable recent success stories are Ellie and Chloe Lawrence, who etched their names in history as Rush Boxing Club’s first female league champions. Their journey symbolizes the club’s commitment to fostering male and female talent. Carson McCarthy’s recent victory in the Dublin championship not only adds another feather to the club’s cap but also propels him into the prestigious All Ireland competition. His success underscores the high-calibre training and coaching provided at Rush Boxing Club, positioning it as a force to be reckoned with in the national boxing scene. The club’s structured class schedule caters to individuals of all ages and skill levels. Junior boxing classes are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:15 to 6:15 pm, ensuring a nurturing environment for young enthusiasts to learn the fundamentals of the sport. For Seniors, the training intensifies from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on the same days, providing a platform for aspiring fighters to hone their skills and compete at higher levels.Rush Boxing Club not only focuses on physical conditioning and technique but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and discipline among its members. The atmosphere is one of mutual support and encouragement, creating a community that goes beyond the confines of the training mats.As Rush Boxing Club continues to produce champions it solidifies its standing where passion, dedication, and skill converge to create a legacy of excellence. Whether you are a beginner looking to embark on a boxing journey or an experienced fighter aiming for championship glory, Rush Boxing Club welcomes all with open arms.New members welcome to join, contact Paul at 086 379 9603.

Ball Busters women’s football club was formed by Amanda Bracken and Tanya Christie, two friends from Lusk with a passion to play competitive football without the restrictions of playing on an actual team. Two mammies that still wanted the buzz of winning a game but having the craic at the same time. One afternoon after chatting through one of their many notions they decided to start up Ball Busters, a social indoor soccer group, and so it began, February 2023, the beginning of something special. On night one, we thought we would have loads of girls but 6 turned up, we thought all we had to do was organise it and people would show but that was not the case. Through hours of hard work and dedication, we have built a WhatsApp group of over 80 ladies, we rent 3 out of the 5 astros in the Soccer Dome in Santry, with upwards of 40 ladies coming each week. We organise outings, have nights away, we have been to Wexford to play Courtown Hibs and have just come back from Bangor where we played 2 teams and won both matches, we have also done a bungee fitness class, we are very much a social group. We have built something that the ladies look forward to each week and keep coming back. For women in sports week, we will have 60+ ladies in the Dome, who all came together for the same reason, play ball, and have fun. We have built a very supportive environment for everyone, all levels are welcome, if you miss a goal no one is going to shout at you. We are so lucky with the mixture of girls we have, they are such a lovely bunch, there is never a cross word between any of us. It has given us all an outlet, something we can do for ourselves. So why not come and join us.