Preview
David Jennings
CAN the sleeping giants finally wake from their extended slumber? That’s the question that will be answered in some shape or form when Kilmeena welcome Louisburgh in the opening round of the Mayo Junior football championship on Saturday evening.
Right now, Louisburgh sit above Kilmeena in the Division 1C league table following victories over Cill Chomain and Belmullet, and Martin Nee’s return to the side is sure to be a big boost.
The evergreen Brendan Heneghan remains a vital cog in the Louisburgh machine while Kevin Gibbons, who caught plenty of eyes with the Mayo minors last year, has made the smooth transition to the adult fold.
There finally appears to be a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel and Louisburgh chairman James Morrison is hopeful about the months ahead.
“Our main priority was to stop the slide and I think we might just be on the way back,” he told the Mayo News.
“We are really looking forward to the championship starting and I hope we will be quite strong in the grade this year. We have quite a few good young footballers coming up through the ranks and with a bit of luck we can make the breakthrough this year.
“I would love to see us get back up to play intermediate football and I think we are capable of doing so. We need to get back up to that standard for the young players that are coming through the club.
“I think intermediate football would suit them much better than the rough and tumble of the junior championship.”
But Morrison doesn’t think the Louisburgh players will take anything for granted on Saturday. He’s expecting a stern test from their neighbours and believes the prize for victory is huge.
“Whoever wins on Saturday will be in pole position. This is the key game in the group and I think both teams know that.”
Kilmeena’s sole success in the league came at the expense of Lahardane in round one but they did manage to draw with Cill Chomain, and defeats to Kilmaine, Belmullet and Ardnaree are nothing to be ashamed of.
But one wonders what heights Kilmeena would scale if they hadn’t lost a plethora of players to emigration. “We’ve lost 19 players through one reason or another in the last three years,” said manager Kevin Barrett.
“It’s been a struggle this season. We only have a panel of 20-24 players to work with and times are different now than they were a couple of years ago. Lads used to be able to take time off work for training and games but not now, work comes first. That’s just the way it is.
“And if it’s not emigration, it’s injuries and if it’s not injuries, it’s the Leaving Cert which is coming up now shortly so that will be another inconvenience. But, look, there is nothing you can do about that.”
But Kilmeena have enough talent in their ranks to put up a big fight. Brothers Neil (centre-back) and Alan Ryan (centre-forward) are consistent performers while their cousinJoe Ryan, is back in the fold too.
Add into the mix the likes of Cillian McDonagh, Pat Keane, Cormac McHale and recent Leitrim recruit, David Stenson, and you’ve got yourself a decent side that have the potential to hold their own in the grade.
“We have a nice minor team too and there is some nice young fellas coming through. They will start to make a big impact over the next few years and hopefully we go well this year,” Barrett added.
Saturday is a big day for his side and could define their season.
“The lads won’t need any motivation anyway,” he laughs. “It’s a big local derby and they’ll be up for this. It’ll be a fair battle.”
Fixture
Mayo JFC
Kilmeena v Louisburgh
Saturday, June 2
Kilmeena at 7pm
