To 'B' the best, you must beat the best

The 2025 CastleCourt Hotel Premier League had a runaway winner in Westport United ‘B’, and they are hot favourites to retain the title, but could they be a victim of their own success?

A cohort of that ‘B’ team are ‘more than likely’ to be called up to the Super League side, according to head coach John Hastings, but the core of the squad still remains, including Simeon Popov, Evan Durkan and Ted Horan, as well as players from the under-18 side that did the league and cup double last season.

Hastings believes players like Darragh Reynolds, who were part of national triumphs for Rice College, and Jack Walsh are not just pushing the players at their age but the more experienced players too.

“They’ve set the standards, even for the older lads, and I hope that continues from them,” said Hastings.

They will have an array of challengers this year, from other ‘B’ teams like Castlebar Celtic to newcomers to the divisions in Swinford, Ballyhaunis Town and Iorras Aontaithe.

Swinford are one of three promoted teams alongside Ballina Town ‘B’ and Snugboro United. They finished runners-up in League One and lost the Mayo Premier Cup Final but did win the Tonra Cup, and expectations are high this season they can make it back-to-back promotions.

“If you don’t keep going and push on, what was it for, you know?” said captain Aidan Dunleavy, who will have Conor Devaney alongside him in the strike force for this season. “We are going to challenge, I think. The squad is building and we’ve had a good pre-season.” 

Swinford’s pre-season has caught the eye given they have primarily played Super League opposition.

“I don’t think there’s a point playing the teams in your division. If you a step higher, it’ll show you this is where you want to be. It’s given us an insight if where we need to be. Super League don’t stop and that’s where we need to be.” 

Outside of Jamie Leahy and Darryl McNamara who are in their 30s, the majority of their squad is 23 or under, which makes 23-year-old Luke McNicholas one of their ‘older’ heads in the team.

“We’re finding our feet and we’re taking it game by game. There’s no fear and that will stand to us,” said McNicholas.

The biggest signings of the transfer window have arrived in Snugboro, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary. Former Castlebar Celtic defender Johnny Walsh will don the blue and yellow this season and will guide rising stars like Andrew Gallagher and Ryan McNamara, while the talented Zac Collins also joins Snugboro.

“Zac had club connections with his family and Johnny used to play for the club as well. It’s great to have two local lads in,” said coach Paul Egan.

“The experience (of Johnny) will be good. We’ve a good few under-18s joined us last year and a lot of the under-21 squad also.” Declan Conway is the brother of the late Edward Conway, one of founders of the club. The pitch is also named in his honour. Declan is now back involved and said it would be special if they got promoted this season. “We have to aim towards that. Not saying we’ll get there but it’s gone well so far.” 

Paul Reilly is now in the hotseat at Iorras Aontaithe following the departure of Michael McHale. They had a rapid rise through Leagues One and Two after time away but have found a return back to the Super League challenging.

On their day and with everyone available, Reilly knows they can compete with anyone. With a young team this season, it might be case of solidifying what they have before aiming higher, but that doesn’t rule out a trophyless season.

“We can definitely have a cup run. We have a strong nucleus there and if we have them, along with the young lads and a bit of luck.” 

Home form will be crucial for any team looking to push for promotion, so how Crossmolina fare, given that they will play their home games on the astro pitch at Kilglass/Enniscrone United will be fascinating to see.

“It’s really important that we settle there and settle well. Playing on an astro is quite different. We’ve played all our games on astro in pre-season and lost only on away to Ballina. So far, it’s quite promising but we’ll see when we get to competitive games.” 

The likes of Swinford, Westport ‘B’ and Celtic ‘B’ can boast of goal-hungry strikers up front. But with Oisin Deane and James Carr unavailable due to Gaelic commitments, they have brought in Goodhope Mutendebvure from Ballina Town to bolster their attacking ranks.

“We’re used to playing on a grass pitch [at Abbeytown] where it is compact,” said goalkeeper Sean Gallagher. “In Enniscrone, it’s a big pitch. The signing of Goodhope, he’s quick in behind and we can use that to our advantage.

“We have a goalscorer now. Last year, we didn’t have a problem defensively. If you’re scoring goals and defending the way we can, we can keep ourselves in games for longer.” 

Another team that can boast the firepower is Ballina Town ‘B’. Last year’s League One champions have top scorer John Durkan remain in their ranks along with Ryan Moran, With promising young talent in Sam Monaghan, Marcus Lacuesta and Leon Geraghty, the future is bright and head coach Aidan Cowan is targeting a place in the division for the long-term.

“The Premier League is so competitive, this is where we want to be as a club development-wise A lot of effort has been put into the last two seasons. We’d a lot of young players who have two years underneath them, between 16 and 19, and we’re looking to consolidate ourselves in that league and have a good cup run possibly,” said Cowan.

The Belleek side have been on the crest of a wave, but Ballyhaunis Town have had a tough year. Despite finishing fourth in the Premier League in 2024, they were promoted as Celtic ‘B’ and Westport ‘B’ could not get promoted and endured a tough year.

They have brought in former Straide & Foxford manager Aiden Flatley, along with coaches Pat McGee, John Powers and Richie Crinningan.

“I said twelve months ago that we had a project, and I hoped the wheels would not come off. It did slightly but I think we picked up where we were two years ago. I think we can build this project now, go again and timely go up when we have this project ready,” said Crinnigan.

“We’re more focused on the football side of things rather than what our league position come the end of the season. We want lads to be enjoying their football.

“[Aiden has] brought in a lot of subtle changes. It has brought a different atmosphere to the squad.”