All About Cork: Basketball blitz to raise funds for Carrigaline facility

On Sunday, Neptune Stadium will host a one-day basketball tournament of teams from across Ireland to fundraise for a multi-use Carrigaline community sports campus.

At the heart of this project is the Carrigaline Sports Partnership, established through the leadership of the Carrigaline rugby clubs.

These two clubs, recognising the need for better sporting infrastructure, came together to chart a path for a shared, inclusive facility on a site at Kilnagleary.

The collaborative effort is backed by several local clubs and organisations, including Carrigaline United AFC, Carrigaline Basketball Club, Sunday’s Well Swimming Club, the Owenabue Special Olympics Club, and the Order of Malta. Together, these groups are working to deliver a campus that will support everything from athletics and swimming to soccer, rugby, basketball, and key community services.

“This isn’t about any one sport or club,” said a spokesperson for the partnership. “It’s about building a resource that serves everyone, a place where children can play, teams can train, and the community can come together.”

“Sunday’s basketball event is just the latest in a growing wave of support for the campus. Organised in collaboration with Cork’s vibrant Filipino basketball community, the tournament will raise vital funds and awareness for the project. The Filipino community has long used basketball as a way to connect, celebrate, and give back and their support for Carrigaline’s vision has been both generous and inspiring.”

Neptune Basketball Club are providing their stadium for the day. There will be games, raffles, and a cake sale.

The partnership has already achieved early milestones, including a pre-feasibility study backed by Cork County Council. Local representatives Jack White and Seamus McGrath have progressed the project, which aims to secure state and local support by demonstrating the benefits of the shared-use model that has been successful across Ireland.

The Cork men’s basketball board have sponsored the trophy and medals for Sunday’s tournament. Thanks, also, to Celebs Entertainment, proud sponsor of the Carrigaline basketball team. Their ongoing commitment to local sport and community initiatives continues to make a meaningful impact.

“Whether you’re a sports fan or just someone who believes in the power of community, all are encouraged to attend on Sunday. Every euro raised brings Carrigaline one step closer to a campus that reflects its energy, diversity, and future,” said the spokesperson.

“This is more than a fundraiser. It’s a show of what’s possible when a community comes together — and a statement that Carrigaline is ready to build for the future.”

Admittance for adults will be €2 (under-18s free) and will include entry in the raffle for a selection of prizes donated by local businesses.

Pipe band’s new drums

The Carrigaline Pipe Band were generously supported at their bag packing fundraising at Dunnes Stores on Friday and Saturday last.

The band wishes to thank all from Carrigaline and the adjoining parishes who contributed so generously over the two days.

Recent great news for the band is that their new kit of drums has arrived just in time for the upcoming competition season.

The pipe band is to compete for the first time in the Leinster Pipe Band Championships on May 10.

They are working hard practicing in the Band Hall every Thursday from 7.00pm.

This Saturday they will hold band practice from 11.00am to 3.00pm.

On Sunday, May 4, the Pipe Band will lead the annual procession in Glanmire.

RNLI issues beacon warning

Crosshaven RNLI has urged seafarers to immediately contact the Coast Guard in the event of an emergency beacon activating by mistake.

The issue was highlighted in a post on social media, after the team was requested to launch an active EPIRB (emergency radio beacon) last Wednesday mid harbour between Spike Island and Whitegate refinery.

“The crew of Aidan O’Connor, Alex Barry, Kevin McCarthy and Derek Moynan were quickly underway in driving rain and poor visibility with a southerly Force 6 pushing steep seas into the outer harbour,” read the post.

At the reported position of the radio beacon, nothing was found and Valentia Coast Guard informed the crew the beacon was no longer active and stood down the crew. It is suspected the beacon was activated by mistake and subsequently turned off.

Helm Alan O’Connor said: “Even if your EPIRB is activated by mistake, always contact the Coast Guard so they do not believe a real emergency is taking place.

Tidy Towns launch Carrigaline Spring Clean April

Tidy Towns chairperson, Niamh Brody, officially launched the Carrigaline Spring Clean month of April at a recent community gathering in SuperValu. She welcomed those present, especially all the clubs and the Tidy Towns volunteers, who helped Carrigaline win three gold medals in a row with the ambition this year to make it four in a row.

Ms Brody said Carrigaline had entered the Cork County Council league again this year and would welcome the support of the entire community for four weeks commencing on Monday, April 28.

Tidy Towns volunteers meet at headquarters every Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesday at 6.30pm and Saturdays at 9.30am. For the duration of the Little League Tidy Towns teams will be in action every day.

The clubs which volunteered to help with the April Spring Clean month include GAA, ladies football and camogie, rugby, basketball, tennis, badminton, athletic club, and also Foróige, the IFA, Macra, the Men’s Shed, Lions Club and the Pipe Band.

New members and volunteers are welcome. Enquiries to carrigalinetidytowns@gmail.com

Garden & Flower Club event

The Owenabue Garden and Flower Club, Carrigaline will host and event next Monday at 8pm in St. Mary’s NS, Waterpark, Carrigaline, Eircode P43 V243. The event will include decorative and horticulture Competitions, plant sales table, raffle and refreshments. All are welcome, visitors €10.

Visitors are also invited to join teh club on their annual outing on Monday, May 26, to visit Gardens in Ballylanders and Holy Cross, Co. Tipperary. Lunch and Dinner is included, cost is €100.For more information contact: owenabuegardenclub@gmail.com.

Lions Club Remembrance

On Saturday, April 12, a joyful Remembrance Day was held in the Carrigaline Lions Club to remember their deceased members including six past presidents, with more than 70 family members in attendance.

Fr James Mc Sweeney gave a thoughtful address and members of the Carrigaline singers sang appropriate songs. Long serving members spoke fondly of the achievements of their deceased past presidents.

Father James blessed an oak tree that has been planted in their memory and a suitably inscribed plaque adjacent to the tree.

Men’s Shed community events

Men’s Shed Community involvement is very much part of many facets of Parish life.

On Saturday, April 12, the Shed hosted the visiting Guidel Twinning group, gave them a tour of their facility and then treated them to hospitality. The next day a team of ‘shedders’ stewarded a section of the great railway run for the Lions Club. The Men’s Shed designed and made medals on the 3-D printer for the first 70 to finish and cross the line.

On Tuesday, April 15, the Men’s Shed choir sang and played for the residents and staff of Marymount Hospital and Hospice. Meanwhile, a consignment of fairy doors and window boxes are being made and decorated in the workshop for Tidy Towns. New members are always welcome to contact Roger Morrissey 087 220 3547.

Have Carrigaline and Crosshaven news to share? Contact bill.browne@theecho.ie