The Lally Cup was presented to Ballintubber Board na nOg in 1988 I memory of Tom and Ellen Lally, Barnakillew who died in 1985 and 1987 respectfully.

Tom was a native of Seangort, Tourmakeady but he emigrated to New York, U.S.A. in the late 1920’s . It was there that he met his future wife, Ellen Walsh a native of Ballyheane.

Shortly after returning to Ireland in the early forties, he bought and farmed a holding of land at Barnakillew, Ballintubber.

Although Tom himself never played gaelic football he always took a keen interest in the fortunes of Ballintubber teams.

He was always very proud of his three sons, Tommy, Fr. Mickie and Jimmy whenever they lined out for Ballintubber and especially if any of them were lining out in the Red and green of Mayo.

Farm work often took second place to football in the Lally household. On one particular occasion, on a day prior to a county final involving Ballintubber, a field of potatoes was about to be harvested. On hearing of the proposed days work, Jimmy McNally, manager of the team arrived early that morning and in the interest of gaelic football the digging was deferred for another day.

When the Trophy was first presented by the Lally Family in 1988, it was played for as an U10 local national schools competition. It was expanded to an inter club U10 competition in 1991. Indeed for many of the present Ballintubber Intermediate competition the Lally Cup was their first taste of competitive football and the first player to hold this cup aloft was present Intermediate player Alan Staunton.

Among the teams that have competed for this trophy down the years are Garrymore, Davitts, Tourmakeady, St. Gerards, St. Malachy’s ( Westmeath), Islandeady and the host club Ballintubber who are the present holders.