Major blow to champions as attacking duo transfer
Ballina Stephenites have seen two members of their all conquering championship winning side transfer to clubs in Australia. Picture: INPHO/James Lawlor
Mayo senior football champions Ballina Stephenites have been dealt a significant blow in their attempt to lift the Moclair Cup for a fourth consecutive year with confirmation that two integral members of their three-in-row winning team have transferred to clubs in Australia.
Luke Doherty has signed for Penrith Gaels in Sydney while Jack Irwin is also in Sydney but joins the Clan na Gael club.
Both players played key roles in Ballina’s march to the 2025 Mayo SFC title. Indeed the pair lined out at corner-forward and full-forward respectively in both the drawn and county final replay against Westport.
Luke Doherty scored Ballina’s goal in their county semi-final win against Knockmore, two points in their drawn final against Westport and added another goal in a tightly contested Connacht Club SFC semi-final where the Moysiders got the better of North London Shamrocks.
Meanwhile, former Mayo underage attacker Stephen McGreal is Canada bound. The Claremorris man has had a transfer to Vancouver Eire Og approved. McGreal made eight championship appearances for the county at minor and under-20 level from 2016 to 2019, playing alongside the likes of Ryan O’Donoghue, Jordan Flynn, Tommy Conroy, Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Paul Towey and Oisin Mullin.
