Iorras machine to roll on in stacked division?

There is only one question to ask when it comes to the 2024 Killeen Sports Ground League One season: can anyone stop Iorras Aontaithe?

After their absence in 2022, the Barony boys re-entered a junior team and steamrolled their way to the League Two title, winning all fourteen matches as well as winning the McDonnell Cup. Chances of a treble were ended at the hands of Ballyglass but it took little of the shine of a memorable season back in the Mayo Football League and manager Michael McHale feels their squad is more than capable of not just competing in this division but in the Premier League also.

“A great year in our first year back,” said McHale. “In fairness to the lads, they put in a lot of effort. Missing out on the treble was a bit of a killer but we’ll get over that!

“If they play like last year, they’re well fit to be in that league and the Premier League. We played a lot of teams above us in the cup and held our own against them. They’re well fit and if they put in the work, you’d be hoping to be pushing on again.” That was evidenced in their Connacht Cup tie against Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ in what was a very tight affair. Iorras were eventually beaten on penalties but it gave Iorras much-needed minutes against a good side ahead of the new season.

“It was a good performance as it was a young team with a lot of lads away at that time of year. Penalties are a lottery but it’s better than a pre-season in some ways. Plenty of minutes in the legs.

It was a game of two halves. Conditions were very poor but it’s the time of year, what do you expect? You just have to get out and keep going.” With Bangor Hibs returning in League Two, it means there are three teams playing adult junior football in the Erris area. Competition between Bangor, Iorras and Kilmore will be heavy for players but McHale will be looking to some of the club’s U18 players to come through, with five of them currently on the squad.

“It’s great to have three teams back in the Erris area. I know everyone is trying to fight for this player and that player but it’d be worse of you had no team up there.

“There’d be few lads who played with Hibs or Kilmore before but most of our lads we have played underage with us.” Iorras will likely finds things tougher this year in what is one of the most stacked leagues in Mayo. Fahy Rovers and Swinford were Super League clubs not too long ago and both will be hoping to bounce straight back up after relegation.

“We’re going with a similar squad to last year,” said Swinford manager Mark Beattie. “We had good success in the U21s. We won the second division. I’d be confident if we can keep these lads together and add a bit more strength, a couple of senior heads, I’d be confident we can compete.

“They now know what it takes. A lot of them lads are stepping up to senior football for the first time last year. It’s a lot more physical and a faster game. They’ve learnt a lot from that so hopefully we can bring it into the season this year.

“I look at Iorras and they’re a Super League club. Killala have always competed in the Premier League. Fahy were a Super League club not too long ago as well, no more than ourselves. A lot of club will feel hard done and they can go back up. No more than the Premier League being a very competitive league last year, I see that happening this year again.” On relegation from the Premier League, Mark offered: “Hard to pick yourself up. The fact we won the U21 gave them a bit encouragement that what went wrong wasn’t on them. We were let down by the lads that went playing Gaelic and the more senior players we should have been able to rely on. That’s why we’re building on the youth this year.” That youth propelled them to the U21 Division 2 title last season after a playoff win over Ballinrobe Town. Conor Devaney was one of those men involved on the day and admits the victory was a ‘massive’ one for the club.

“We were disappointed at how the senior season went for us. Winning it gave us great confidence to go on and represent the senior team. To go unbeaten in the U21 league and win in the fashion we did, we’re delighted with it.” For Killala, squad numbers proved a major stumbling block last season as they struggled to compete with he depth of talent that Castlebar Celtic B and Ballyheane B had in their ranks. A Premier League club in recent years, coach Paul Cummins said they have bolstered their squad with a combination of young talents and experience making a comeback “For this season, we should be confident. We’ve a lot of new players into the group and older players coming back making a huge difference. Unfortunately, some games last year we travelled to away fixtures with 12 or 13 players.

“It’s a full squad game so hopefully the full 18 and a full squad is what we’re aiming to get for the whole of the season.

“It’s a very, very strong league. Any team can go up. Claremorris B were strong last year. It’s a hugely competitive league.

“We have reason to be confident. Any increase in our squad so any extra should be a good bit more better than last year.” “Last season was a bit disappointing,” admits Aaron Rooney. “This season we’ve some new players and young lads coming through. We’ve a good sizable squad and everyone will be fighting for their place and hopefully it’ll push everyone to be performing as well as possible.”