Overseas voyage expected to be plain sailing for Mayo champs
Ballina Stephenites players Ger Cafferkey and Mikey Murray at the team's homecoming celebration in James Stephens Park following their Mayo SFC final victory over Knockmore. Picture: John O'Grady
At the end of the Mayo SFC final, celebrations from Ballina Stephenites seemed a little muted compared to last year’s breakthrough. That is to be expected given the club had gone 16 years without a senior title while this year, one felt Niall Heffernan’s men believed lifting the Moclair Cup might only be a stopping point on a greater journey.
That first step starts next Saturday afternoon, not just crossing county borders but making their way to England to take on London champions North London Shamrocks.
Ballina also faced London opposition at this stage last year in the form of Fulham Irish but the game was a contest in name only as the Stephenites swatted them aside by 3-11 to 0-5 in MacHale Park before their year ended at the hands of club giants Corofin.
The path, on paper at least, looks clear. With Corofin and Roscommon champions Padraig Pearses on the other side of the draw, Ballina have a great opportunity of making the Connacht final. Sligo champions Coolera/Strandhill and Leitrim winners Mohill will likely have a different view but before anything else, the Moysiders must deal with the challenge of North London Shamrocks.
While there are no Mayo footballers playing with NLS, Balla native Niall Costello is among the selectors. The side is managed by Donegal’s Peter Witherow, who was a panel member when the Ulster side defeated Mayo in the 2012 All-Ireland SFC final.
The team does boast a strong contingent from Sligo, however. Former inter-county star Eoin Flanagan started at wing-back during their victory over St Kiernan’s in the London SFC final while another former Sligo footballer James Hynes is among the group.
After being beaten by St Kiernan’s in the Division 1 League final earlier this year, not many would have spoken about NLS as potential London champions. But despite never having appeared in a senior final, much less winning one, they went all the way to seal a memorable triumph and will now feel they have a free hit against Ballina Stephenites.
But NLS will be coming up against a Ballina side that is looking seriously focused ahead of the provincial series. They possess a near-perfect mix of youth and experience across the team and can boast a squad depth that would rival any top club side in Ireland. At the back, David Clarke, Ger Cafferkey (who missed the county final because of injury) and Padraig O’Hora are men who have played on the biggest occasions in both the Green and Red of Ballina and Mayo. Their supporting cast of Liam Golden, Luke Jordan, David Tighe and the irrepressible Sam Callinan form the rest of a teak-tough defence.
The midfield partnership of Frank Irwin and Mikey Murray were outstanding throughout the championship, and either or both could be recalled to Kevin McStay’s Mayo squad for next year. Up front, Conor McStay has had his best year of football to date, Luke Doherty’s return to the panel has been a massive boost, full-forward Luke Feeney looks to be a major star waiting to breakthrough while there is arguably no better finisher in Mayo right now than Evan Regan.
There may be a bump or two along the way (hopefully not while on the plane!) but Ballina Stephenites should win this one with a bit to spare.
Verdict: Ballina Stephenites
