PREVIEW: Ballina Stephenites aim to put Mayo back on Connacht map

For the third year running, Ballina Stephenites have conquered Mayo and now set sail in another provincial campaign.

Their past two Connacht challenges have been disappointing with defeats at the hands of Corofin in 2023 and Coolera-Strandhill last season, and they’ll be hoping to make a serious impression on this occasion.

However, that will be easier said than done, as Mayo champions haven’t won the Connacht title since Castlebar Mitchels defeated Corofin by five points in 2015.

Castlebar impressed on that occasion as they powered their way to the Shane McGettigan Cup in Tuam Stadium and went on to reach Croke Park, where they lost out to Dublin side Ballyboden St Enda’s in the All-Ireland final. 

Since then, the Mayo king-pins have performed poorly in Connacht competition with Mitchels, Ballintubber, Knockmor,e and most recently Ballina all coming up short.

Now, Ballina will look to change the narrative and put Mayo back on top, but they’ll be taking absolutely nothing for granted.

On Saturday evening, the Stephenites travel to Bekan as the London champions arrive in East Mayo.

The two sides are familiar with one another as they clashed last year in Ruislip when the Stephenites won by seven, but a week later they crashed out on penalties in Markiewicz Park as Sligo’s Coolera Strandhill marched on. 

This time round, the men from James Stephens Park are out to make amends.

Niall Heffernan’s side are on a mission, and one would have to make the argument that the Mayo kingpins won't be far awa,y although Galway’s Moycullen, Roscommon’s St Brigid’s / Padraig Pearses, Sligo’s Shamrock Gaels, and Leitrim Champions Leitrim Gaels might have something to say about that. 

Firstly, the London men stand in their way. Fresh from claiming their second consecutive London Championship, the Shamrocks from North London are a stronger team than they were last season.

It’s evident the development of local players is increasing all the time and this is adding to the talent on offer. 

Shamrocks who are managed by Peter Witherow have Balla native Niall Costello amongst the management team.

Costello isn't the only Mayo man involved with the London side as their forward Rory Morrin hails from Ballina. Morrin, who featured for Mayo at underage level made the transfer from Ballina this season as he is now based across the water.

The Ballina native is a talented footballer who will cross paths with many familiar faces as he goes up against his former teammates. 

Usually situated at full forward, Morrin won a Connacht Minor title alongside Stephenites clubmates Frank Irwin and Dylan Thorinton.

North London Shamrocks have plenty of skilled footballers with many Ulster natives including Donegal’s Ciaran Diver and Michael Carroll who have both been prominent in recent times. 

Going into the game, the Stephenites are heavy favourites and although their opponents are no slouches, the Mayo kingpins should progress to the last four stage.

Padraig O’Hora is an injury doubt after he was substituted in the county final and the fleet-of-foot Brendan Collins is also among those on the injury list, but with Sam Callinan, Dylan Thornton, Frank Irwin, Conor Mc Stay and Evan Regan all in outstanding form, the men in green and red should have enough class to get past their London opponents. 

VERDICT: BALLINA STEPHENITES