N’Do and Achill making headlines again

Daniel Carey

IT’S not every day that the Mayo League makes national headlines, but then, confirmation that Joseph N’Do has agreed to play for Achill Rovers this year has caught the imagination of people far beyond this county.
“It sounds like a Roy of the Rovers story, but it is real,” observed club PRO SeΡn Molloy, who brings us news that the former Cameroon international will line out in the newly-renamed Mayo Premier League when the season kicks off in March.
Rovers gained promotion from the third tier Premier ‘B’ Division last year, and were named the Aviva FAI Club of the Year. Last February, N’Do – who turns 40 next April – joined them as a coach, and was also appointed head coach for the Mayo League team.
N’Do was part of the Cameroon team that won the African Cup of Nations twice (in 2000 and 2002) and qualified for the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. He won four League of Ireland titles and three FAI Cups during spells with Shelbourne, Bohemians and Sligo Rovers. He won’t be the first 39-year-old to play in the Mayo League, but we’re pretty sure he will be the first African Cup of Nations winner.
A message on the Achill Rovers Facebook page welcomed two new players, Joseph N’Do and Darren Molloy. “Although both in their 30s, they will have a lot to offer the club,” the Facebook message continued. “Between them they have 22 international caps, appeared in two World Cups and have won two African Cup of Nations” titles. Lads, it’s the way ye tell ’em!