Mayo FC begin their national adventure
The Mayo FC team pictured before their final pre-season friendly against Colga. Picture courtesy of Mayo FC
Milebush has played host to some big occasions over the decades for the beautiful game in Mayo, from FAI Youth Cup Finals to Oscar Traynor Cup finals. But Saturday evening sees new territory being broken in Umbro Park as Mayo FC begin their FAI National League adventure.
League of Ireland football in this county is not a new phenomenon – Castlebar Celtic competed in the League of Ireland ‘A’ Championship in 2009 and 2010 – but it was believed it would be a long time, if ever, that Mayo would have representation in the League of Ireland again.
On June 26, 2023, fresh hope was given when on a historic night in Breaffy House Hotel, Mayo FC was formed, competing at academy level in U14, U15, U17 and U20, and it heralded a new dawn for soccer in the county. A third tier had been speculated but many believed it would be a few years before Mayo made that step up.
Momentum grew less than two years later when Mayo FC submitted an application to join the proposed FAI National League, and the club were included as a founding member at the end of the year for its inaugural season.
Following the appointment of the club’s under-20 manager Anthony O’Neill as head coach, who would be the club’s first signing was of great interest, and it was Ballyheane’s Ben Edeh, who was a key man in the club’s back-to-back Super League triumphs and the Mayo League’s run to the 2024 Oscar Traynor Cup final, that was announced.
The level of player that has joined has been impressive from inside and out the county. Connor McCarthy (Glenhest Rovers), Matthew Fox, Daire O’Connor (both Ballina Town), Conor Gorman (Conn Rangers) have also followed directly from the Mayo League while former Ballinamard United player James McGrath has previously enjoyed stints at Kiltimagh Knock United and Westport United.
The additions of players with League of Ireland experience like Gary Armstrong and Oisin O’Reilly are shrewd signings to compliment the club’s under-20 players Guga Kokaia, Padraig Heinz-Warde and Chris McHale Tarpey who have made the step up, while the announcement of former Irish underage international Noe Baba, who has played professionally in England, Germany and Ireland has shown that Mayo FC are not here to make up the numbers.
Mayo have prepared for the upcoming with friendlies against fellow FAI National league sides Bonagee United and Mervue United, the Sligo Rovers under-20s and Colga, but all that is now cast aside for their first competitive game, although they are set to be without Jason Devanney, Conor Gorman and Michael Clifford due to injury.
Their opponents St Francis, who are managed by Kevin Smith, were formerly in the League of Ireland First Division from 1996 to 2001, with their apex coming when reaching the 1990 FAI Cup Final.
They will pose a stiff examination of Mayo FC’s current credentials, and their squad include former Wexford FC underage star Darren Williams Oshun, Lee McEvoy, Rory Garvey and Thomas Moran in attack, goalkeeper Mark Smith and full-back Pedro Malanada.
A big crowd is expected this Saturday evening for what is a momentous day for Mayo soccer and the players will have to be weary of playing the game and not the occasion. Should they do so, Mayo can get their league season off to the best possible start.
Let the journey begin.
