Ballina Stephenites aim to bring back glory days in Connacht

On Sunday afternoon, the green and red of Ballina Stephenites will face off against the green and red of Roscommon Champions St Brigid’s.

One thing for sure is that King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, the home of Roscommon football will see lots of colour when the two respective county champions meet.

Coming into the game, the Mayo king-pins have already had a taste of provincial football after their win over North London Shamrocks last weekend.

Although, the manner in which Niall Heffernan’s charges overcame the overseas visitors was far from impressive, the three-in-a-row men won’t mind.

That said, if Ballina are to bring that same level of performance into this weekend’s tie, they will leave by the exit door as their opponents are a hugely talented bunch.

St Brigid’s who got over Padraig Pearses in the Roscommon final after a replay will be relatively fresh given that they last played competitively on November 1. 

The Kiltoom based club who are managed by former Galway hurling manager Anthony Cunningham will be favourites going into this weekend's tie.

Brigid’s are no strangers to Connacht Championship glory as they most recently claimed the McGettigan Cup in 2023, They went on to reach the All Ireland final that season where a narrow defeat to Derry outfit Glen awaited them.  

Flocked with Roscommon inter-county players, this St Brigid’s side are a very experienced outfit, with Brian Stack being a hugely influential cog in the defensive line.

The midfield pairing of Eddie Nolan and Shane Cunnane is deeply impressive and the forward unit consisting of Bobby Nugent and Ben O’Carroll is capable of causing problems for any defence.

Nugent and O’Carroll have been making huge strides at underage level for the Rossies and nowadays are seen as two hugely promising talents.

Brigid’s who went all the way in 2013 when conquering all of Ireland have one of their veterans back in the playing ranks this season.

Senan Kilbride has made a remarkable comeback. At 40 years of age, Kilbride has featured for Roscommon Masters and the St Brigid’s junior side in recent months and he’s now in the senior squad.

Indeed, the hugely experienced forward started at full-forward in the county final win over Padraig Pearses.

The Mayo kingpins are entering the last four clash as underdogs but, there could be a big performance in them. That’s what will be required if the Moysiders are to become the first Mayo side since 2015 to go on and claim Connacht silverware.

The absence of injured Padraig O’Hora is potentially colossal for the Stephenites but Sean Regan will attempt to fill the role on Sunday.

Frank Irwin, Mike Murray and Dylan Thornton are big physical players around the middle areas and they will have to engage in a massive battle, given the physicality that St Brigid’s have.

Ballina’s main defender Sam Callinan may have to pick up Ben O’Carroll in a man-marking role as O’Carroll is a classy forward when given freedom and space. If the Stephenites are to win, they will need their forwards to click and that paves the way for their leader, Evan Regan.

Scores could be hard to come by and if Ballina are to progress to a Connacht decider, all will be needed. Expect a close, fiery game.

VERDICT: BALLINA STEPHENITES.