All-Ireland Final countdown: Ballyhaunis proud to row in behind Captain Jack

The town and the dual club of Ballyhaunis are rallying behind their clubmate Jack Coyne as he prepares to lead Mayo out at Croke Park this Sunday for the All-Ireland Final.

Club treasurer Tomás Murphy, who also is a senior selector, told the Western People that nobody in the East Mayo club was surprised to see Jack, who has represented Ballyhaunis in both codes, go from debuting in 2021 to taking the captain’s armband at the end of 2025.

“We always knew what Jack’s level of commitment, his leadership and his ability as a player was. We had no doubt about the quality he possessed in relation to leading teams, supporting individuals and supporting younger players,” said Tomás.

“We have a lot of minor lads involved in our senior panel and to have someone like Jack Coyne in the dressing room they can look up to is massive.” 

Tomás also coaches St Jarlath’s U14 team, who are part of the amalgamation between Eastern Gaels and Ballyhaunis from U13 up to U21, an amalgamation which he said has been hugely successful in terms of winning titles and developing young players.

“Jack has often spoke with our underage players before games and that voice and what he says, brings a massive inspiration to the young lads.” Coyne is following in the speedy footsteps of fellow Ballyhaunis man Keith Higgins, who also wore the armband for Mayo.

“Jack has learned a lot from Keith down through the years, who has been central to the development of Jack and so many of our players,” said Tomás.

“We take huge pride in our club for what these players have done for their club and the county. Ballyhaunis has had its fair share of previous footballers representing Mayo at this level and in All-Ireland finals.” He added that Ballyhaunis as a club has punched above its weight in terms of player development.

“We’re only one mile north, south, east and west from the Square in Ballyhaunis and that’s our catchment area with a small hinterland. For that size of a geographical area, the quality of players and teams we’ve developed throughout the last number of decades is quite phenomenal.

“Then you add in the added dimension of multiculturalism and trying to engage children in the sport and we’re still able to contest. Not long ago we won the intermediate championship. That is a huge credit to the individuals involved and the executive that lead the club through all these challenges.” 

He said players from the East Mayo region as a whole have received greater recognition, with Jack Coyne joined by the likes of David McBrien and Kuba Callaghan (Ballaghaderreen), Cian McHale (Moy Davitts), Paul Towey (Charlestown) and Fergal Boland (Aghamore) in representing the east of the county on the current Mayo team.

“Andy (Moran) has been very strong from the outset coming in to lead this team and has been quoted as saying that Mayo hasn’t had the best players representing Mayo. He has really taken that approach and in my opinion, brought in the best footballers to represent the county,” he said.

“He has looked to the likes of East Mayo, such as his own club, the strong intermediate championship teams in the area and the likes of Aghamore out the road from us,” he said.

“A lot of their lads and ours would have shared the same classroom in Ballyhaunis Community School and the school has done a lot for the development of these lads. There is a serious level of talent within this region.” 

Tomás said that there have been momentous changes around Ballyhaunis GAA of late, with the development of a new seated stand catering for over 160 spectators and a new pitch-side terrace.

“A lot of time and commitment has been invested in our grounds. Most of this has been achieved through Meitheal-led ambitions and we have club members who are really putting their shoulder to the wheel to support the club,” he said.

“Some of the driving force has come from Mayo and Jack Coyne being involved with our club. That has really helped us in the drive to make our club a better place.” 

He said Jack is among a group of dual players representing Ballyhaunis with pride in both codes.

“We have 17 or 18 dual players in the club involved with the intermediate championship team and turning up for our hurling team as well,” he said.

“There is a huge demand on individuals but we have huge praise for those who turn up for training five or six nights a week in both codes. It is one of the biggest challenges for the club but is one of the most rewarding aspects, to compete for county titles and at a high level on two different fronts.”