Rapid rise back to the Super League for Ballinrobe Town
Ballinrobe Town's Killian McHugh says heads won't drop if results do not go their way. Picture: Michael Donnelly
Started at the bottom, now they are here. The remarkable rise of Ballinrobe Town since their return to the Mayo Football League will go down as one of the stories of the decade should they stay the course and become a Super League constant for a couple of years.
Pat O’Sullivan stepped down after three promotions in a row and an abundance of silverware along the way and up stepped Xavi Vasquez, an unknown quantity in Mayo football but a coach who comes with bags of experience with Galway United and through his XV Academy.
The Spaniard has added to a strong squad with the addition of Oisin Connolly, Jose Poblaciones and Dean O’Shaughnessy. Anyone who has not followed Ballinrobe’s trip to the top will be well familiar with the likes of JP O’Gorman and Shane Ryan but the squad is packed with excellent young players. Danny O’Toole has been a thorn in the side of opposition defences around the lower leagues and will be no doubt looking forward to testing his mettle against the Super League backlines.
New Ballinrobe Town manager Xavi Vasquez has revealed he wants his team to play with intensity and aggression this season, .
The Spaniard, who has an impressive CV from his time in his native country and working around Galway, came in to replace Pat O’Sullivan, who led the Robesiders to three back-to-back promotions and many titles along the way.
Xavi said he has taken the job because of the confidence the club has put in him to succeed.
“It was the mentality. They are so ambitious. They want to do things well and they are giving me 120 percent confidence.”
“As a manager, that is the best thing ever. I’m so happy because we started to discuss the job and then it was so quick. It has been a fantastic decision from my perspective.”
“It is thanks to the people working in the club, that is why I’m here.”
It is Ballinrobe’s first season back in the Super League for a long time and their manager is conscious that it is all new challenges that lie in front of them
“I think we have to be fair with the team. We were just promoted. The first thing we want to achieve is the first three points and try to create a good momentum for us.” “After that, try to get the next three and build it up until we are safe. Then if still have games to play, let’s dream.”
“But at the moment, I think to be fair with the lads, they did a fantastic job last year. Now let’s try to first adapt ourselves to the new competition.”
“It is a new intensity, new quality in front of us and we’re trying to be competitive against them.”
Town player Killian McHugh paid tribute to the work that Pat O’Sullivan put in and said they are looking forward to life under Xavi now.
“Pat has done so well with Ballinrobe in the last four years and he wanted someone fresh in and they brought in Xavi, who has been a very good replacement so far.” “Pat stepping down wasn’t too unexpected and he is still involved with the club so he is never too far away.”
Killian said Ballinrobe is a club used to winning in the last few seasons but this does not mean heads will drop if results do not go their way.
“A bad run would be a big test for us, it would show where the squad is at. You have to win some to lose some and lose some to win some and you have to keep going.”
“If it's not going our way we try and make sure we stay together, keep doing what we need to do, stick to the game plan. But it will test us, these tough games and we are ready for the league and see what the Super League has to show for us.”
Xavi said that their first fixture, a tough trip away to Westport United, is the ‘perfect start’ for the club to life in the Super League.
“I played against them when I was with Knocknacarra in the Connacht Shield. It is a tough one to start but at the same time, it is the perfect scenario to start.” “We’re going to see exactly what we need to be in the Super League. It is not that important for us how they are, it is more important to be ourselves in the first game.”
