Kelly blocking out the noise in hunt for Oscar final
Vice captain Ben Edeh helping out the Mayo defence in their quarter-final triumph away to Donegal. The absence of Edeh and two other Ballyheane teammates because of a club v county dispute is an unfortunate blow ahead of Sunday's semi-final against Limerick. Pictures: John Corless
Reaching a second consecutive FAI Oscar Traynor Cup semi-final, and to play the upcoming national semi-final on home soil, would be an occasion to savour in normal circumstances. But recent events have been anything but normal.
Shockwaves were sent through the soccer fraternity and beyond following the revelation that Ballyheane FC had pulled their playing representatives – Michael Fahy, Nathan Reilly Doyle and Mayo vice-captain Ben Edeh – from the Oscar Traynor panel due to frustrations with the Mayo League committee over the rescheduling of their fixture against Castlebar Celtic which was played on Thursday, March 6 last. A request to reschedule the fixture was not obliged and a standoff has ensued since.
The Oscar Traynor squad have been caught in the crossfire for a situation outside their control “The only ones I feel sorry for are the players,” Mayo League manager Joe Kelly told the Western People. “Our game will take place against Limerick on Sunday. There’ll be a squad of players representing Mayo and it’s just very unfortunate. They’re important members of the squad but we have to just park it and get on with preparations as best we can.” The situation means there will be changes once again. Edeh and Reilly Doyle both started their quarter-final win over Donegal while Fahy, who was drafted into the squad before the game due to injuries, came off the bench. It was a much changed lineup, with Celtic duo Ioseph O’Reilly and Jason Hunt missing as well as Westport United’s Darren Browne. Needless to say, Joe Kelly was delighted with how the side performed with key players absent.
“We probably had a settled 14, 15 players for the last year and a half. We went to Donegal with a lot of uncertainty in the first 11 and a lot of newcomers on the bench. It was a challenge but the one thing those difficulties can bring is the opportunity for others. It was amazing how well the team played with new faces. The best part was there was lads who hadn’t got a lot of game time, they stuck with the whole process and they got their chance and took it. It was awful pleasing.”
Outside of the Ballyheane trio, Kelly’s injury and availability issues have eased. Browne, O’Reilly and Hunt will be available for the semi-final against Limerick while Glenhest Rovers forward Connor McCarthy is in contention for a place in the squad after returning from injury last week against Ballina Town. Mayo captain Jordan Loftus is a doubt for Sunday while Iorras Aontaithe’s Owen McHale is likely to miss the game due to a knee injury along with long-term absentee Jamie Cawley of Ballina Town.
On the returnees, Kelly said: “They’re all really, really important players. They played a huge part, all of them (except McCarthy, who wasn’t in the squad). When you take them out of the Donegal game and you put them back in the squad, there’s a good bit of depth there.” Many of the Mayo League squad will be familiar with Limerick League, with much of their squad made up of Pike Rovers and Aisling Annacotty, two clubs who faced Castlebar Celtic in the FAI Junior Cup in the last two seasons. Limerick defeated Kilkenny in the previous round. A tough tie is expected, even with home advantage, and Mayo are no stranger to tough opposition in Milebush, playing Kerry and Waterford in knockout games last year. With the Mayo Gaelic footballers in action later that afternoon a mile down the road in MacHale Park, a big crowd is expected to see the crème de la crème of soccer talent showcase their skills in Umbro Park.
“They’ll come with a very strong team. Like any sport, being at home is a slight advantage. With the Oscar Traynor, it can be a long travel to games. By the time you get to the place to play the game, a lot of energy can be consumed. Getting to play at home is a big thing. We’re delighted the draw worked out that way, as the semi-finals last year were at neutral venues. It’s up to us to take advantage of that but it’ll be a big ask. They’re full of really good players. It’ll definitely be a good football game.”
