Some big hitters return to spice up Mayo’s bottom tier
Captains and managers of the Mayo Football League's Division 2 clubs, at Umbro Park Milebush, ahead of next weekend's kick-off of their 2024 season. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
The returns of Bangor Hibs and Snugboro United, as well as the introduction of a first ever ‘B’ team for Ballyvary Blue Bombers, are among the big stories as the McDonnell Construction League Two gets underway next weekend.
Many of the teams in the division will have been quite happy to see Iorras Aontaithe go up after they stormed to the 2023 league title in what was a procession. Many of the sides competing in League Two this year will be left rueing their luck, however, as another powerhouse club in the Barony, Bangor Hibs, make their comeback after a five-year absence while Snugboro get ready for their first competitive match in adult junior football since 2019.
Only a year previously, the Boro’ were playing Super League football but it will be a fresh new team with only a handful of that side among the ranks including Jason Ormsby, Eoin Morris, Robert Elhert, Barry Redmond and Austin Lacey.
The rest of the squad is comprised of players who have played underage football for the club and manager Declan Lavelle is delighted to see a junior team back playing at Edward Conway Park.
"It’s a great news story to have the team back. A number of things came together: players, management, committee and we felt it was time to go do it and come back," said Declan.
“I think we’re coming back with, I’d like to hope, a competitive team. Predominantly, it's been made up of younger fellas and this was one of the reasons for bringing back the senior team.
“We had a lot of good young fellas coming through and then there was obviously no pathway to senior male league football. Guys were going to other clubs and the key was to keep guys playing for Snugboro.”
Another man making his return is Mark McGreal. After returning home from living in Australia, he will be playing Mayo League for the first time in fifteen years. He has played for the Snugboro Masters team throughout the winter and will provide some additional experience to the team.
“Obviously I was disappointed when I saw in Australia that the team had folded and didn't go ahead,” said Mark. “It seemed to be in a position where they weren't in the best situation ever. The few years have passed, we've regrouped and we're going to have a good nudge at it again.”
It is exciting times not just for McGreal, but for the club also. With a new astro pitch now in use, the club will be able to go cater for the ever increasing numbers of boys and girls playing with the club.
“There's great facilities out there, the clubhouse, the pitch. The next piece of that was having an astro. We know what it's like in the West of Ireland for weather so it’s critical. It keeps a core group of guys there throughout the year.
“In previous years, guys kind of moved on doing different things, maybe moved into different clubs that had the facilities and had that continuity that unfortunately we didn't have at the time.”
Looking ahead to the season, Lavelle knows a ‘learning curve’ will be ahead in the club’s first season back but feels they can challenge.
“Being competitive is the key. This is our first year back, we're very happy with the numbers, we're very happy with the quality, but at the end of the day we've had to kind of balance youth and experience. Guys haven't played together before so it's a learning curve.
“I feel that we will be competitive and that's going to be key. To be competitive and to be challenging, I think we should be there.”
It is also exciting times for Ballyvary Blue Bombers who will be entering a ‘B’ team into the Mayo Football League for the very first time after the ‘A’ side secured promotion along with Iorras Aontaithe. With Ballyvary’s 40th anniversary next year, the club is in a very healthy state.
“It's a great compliment for the club,” said James Lynskey. “After last year, we had a very successful season with the ‘A’ team getting promoted. That can help gain interest in the club. It's a testament to the club as a whole as well that everyone's working together.
“It's a great opportunity for younger lads to get through and get time with senior players. For lads who've stopped playing football for the last few years, it's a great opportunity for them to come back in and just kind of get back into things playing football, which is a great thing for me.”
James added: “I think it's a great reflection of the club as a whole. I have to say that everyone on the committee has been absolutely amazing to work with. I've taken the opportunity myself last year to get involved more with youth team coaching and stuff and just working with everyone and kind of building up that culture of developing youth has been a big priority for us.
“It's a great testament to the club to be around that long and to always have the one team, but now we're having a second team this year. It's kind of written in the stars, as you could say.”
While playing squads have yet to be fully finalised for both teams, James will likely be involved with the ‘B’ team along with young players such as Liam Kenny, Aaron Hurst, Kyle O’Neill and new signing Michael Jordan. A finish in mid-table would be a satisfying debut season but Lynskey see no reason why they can’t finish higher with a good start.
“It'd be great to do well and end up very high on the table, which is a possibility this year. But mid-table is kind of our goal right now. But as the season progresses on and as lads develop more, our ambitions could be higher.”
Week 1 Fixtures:
Achill Rovers v Conn Rangers C Ballina Town B v Westport United C Ballyvary Blue Bombers B v Bangor Hibs Fahy Rovers B v Ballinrobe Town B.
