Battle of Breaffy set to be another classic

Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Sanders.

All well-known historical figures. All names that have been woven into history. All failures.

In his quest to invent the lightbulb, Edison confessed that he failed thousands of times before his invention flickered to life. Before Ford became a pioneer of the auto industry and put the world on wheels, he went bankrupt twice. Lincoln may be considered the greatest president in US history, but he was no stranger to failed businesses and dashed political ambitions. And Sanders failed to break into the culinary industry until his 60s.

They ultimately became defined by their persistence as much as their eventual success – a lesson to all with hopes of greatness.

A lesson also for Breaffy, despite being a world away from corridors of power in Washington DC or the assembly lines of the Rust Belt. For over the last decade, they have been epitome of persistence in Mayo club football as they strove to claim their very first Moclair Cup title. After five losses in the county final and seeing so much of their golden generation retire, they insist on coming back every year with all the enthusiasm of a young puppy skirting the edge of a backyard pool. Alas, Breaffy has yet to take the plunge.

But while success has not exactly been plentiful for the West Mayo club, they have played a part in their fair share of classics within the county over the years, another of which is sure to be added to their scrap book this weekend when Westport visit for the Battle of Breaffy.

Last year’s quarter-final in Islandeady was, without doubt, the standout clash of the championship, as Breaffy pulled off a shock two-point win against the reigning champions and the then championship favourites. Aidan O'Shea, enjoying something of an Indian summer in his club career over the past few seasons, was his usual towering presence throughout, driving his team forward as the rest of the county stood slack jawed at the Breaffy men’s resolution. Despite a commendable surge from Westport in the final quarter, Breaffy clung on and eventually earned a spot in another county final after another a subsequent shock victory over Castlebar Mitchels. But had there been another five minutes on the clock in the quarter-final against Westport, their season may have begun to unravel much earlier.

Westport will be quietly conscious that they will need to find a way into the game earlier this weekend for the rematch. Last year was an outlier for the Covies, a hangover that comes with the territory of being champions for the first time. Though they have yet to hit the heights of their triumphant 2022 season this year, there is a sense that they are simply mastering the art of doing just enough, timing their rise for when it matters most. It matters now. There is no room for missteps in knockout football. Breaffy are no longer flying under the radar. They remain hungry and ambitious and determined to finally land the senior title. And everyone knows it.

Sean Deane’s side has arguably been the standout club in this year's championship group stage. In their three games against Ballintubber, Kilmeena and Aghamore, they registered three comfortable wins without showing too much of their hand. And while this probably isn't the most star-studded squad the club has ever put on the field, there's a certain symmetry emerging between this year's Mayo club championship and the wider intercounty championship which saw so many of the assumed frontrunners produce poor seasons, allowing Armagh to take their shot against Galway on the biggest day.

The Mayo championship is similarly beginning to open up for an unexpected assault. And Breaffy could be the side that stands to benefit from a championship without an outright favourite of note. The script may just be beginning to unravel in their favour.

Westport, on the other hand, will be acutely aware of the need to raise their game this weekend. After a nervy opening encounter against Balla a few weeks ago, they produced a comprehensive victory against Mayo Gaels, though conceding so much will have left them with plenty to think about on the training pitch the following week. A loss against reigning champions Ballina Stephenites was yet another blot in the copybook.

But they remain fully aware that they have probably the strongest squad in the county. The club is capable of fielding a team of individuals that have played intercounty at some level – minor, under-20 or senior – throughout their careers. Such excesses of talent bring luxuries. That type of squad knows they can turn it on at any given moment. There's nothing to suggest they won't flick that switch in Breaffy.

But it's worth recalling that for years, and even decades, Westport were the great underachievers of Mayo club football. Despite being one of the largest towns in the county, with a thriving economy to boot, it was less than a decade ago when the club finally broke into the senior club championship. For all Westport has now in its favour, they need to start stacking the titles up to begin to become recognised as a permanent force of Mayo club football. In decades to come, a single county title would be a very poor return for a town buzzing with activity and rich with talent. That brings an element of pressure.

Breaffy, in contrast, would be happy with a single title after years of hurt, which would sustain the community for generations. It all contributes to a fascinating tussle this weekend. Context is everything and this match-up has more than enough to draw every eye in the county towards Breaffy this Sunday afternoon.

No championship is ever decided after the quarter-final. But this Sunday's game has a sense of occasion attached to it that makes it feel more consequential than most. For the confidence that's gained from emerging from this sort of fixture is worth just as much as a fortnight of training.

And neither team needs to be reminded of that.