London calling to Castlebar for Ballina showdown

IN West London, the rain is pouring out of the sky as Máirtín McGrath comes in off the training pitch. The former Ballina Stephenites star has been immersed in Gaelic football all his life and there’s an energy radiating from him as the Wandsworth Gaels players get ready to head for home.

“We’re preparing for the All-Britain semi-final against Glasgow at the weekend and really looking forward to it now,” McGrath told The Mayo News from their training base at Grasshoppers RFC in Isleworth.

The man who played inter-county football for both Mayo and Sligo is embedded in the success story of Wandsworth Geals. The boys in blue won the London junior championship in 2022 and backed it up brilliantly a few weeks ago by winning the intermediate title.

“We’re going well surely. There’s a great bunch of lads here and great people involved in the club and we’re enjoying the football,” the well-known coach added.

McGrath is ideally-placed to cast an eye towards next tomorrow evening’s Connacht championship clash between Ballina Stephenites and Fulham Irish in Castlebar. He played on some of the great Stephenites sides of the 1980s, ‘90s and into the noughties and has a collection of medals to show for it.

In 2007, he moved to London and has carved out a special place in the sporting history of that great city. His fitness, coaching and PE business quickly made an impact and he was soon spreading the GAA gospel to great success. In one of the city’s most challenging areas, McGrath and future London manager Michael Maher worked tirelessly at school level with St Paul’s Academy in South East London.

The students from predominantly African, Portuguese and Brazilian backgrounds adapted brilliantly to the Gaelic football and formed the backbone of the South London side which won six All-Ireland Féile titles in glorious fashion.

“We went right through the grades and won everything. Then, in 2019, we beat Corofin and Austin Stacks on the way to the Féile Division 1 final before losing narrowly to Kilmacud Crokes. It was a great run,” McGrath recalled before warning his Ballina friends not to take Fulham Irish for granted next weekend.

“Ballina will be the hottest of favourites, but I know Niall, Eanna and the lads will be aware of the challenge facing them and they know how good Fulham Irish are. They have fine players all over the field and although they’re missing a few lads through injury they’ll be going there determined to win.”

The London champions will go into the game without long-term injury absentees Conal Gallagher, Ronan Sloan from Down and Tyrone’s Matthew Walsh. They’ll also be without Ballintubber’s Ruaidhri O’Connor, who played with them last season, due to work commitments. Westport's Liam Staunton is likely to be among the substitutes but won't feature due to a hip injury.

However, the Londoners will bring a talented team to Castlebar. Their full-back line is formidable with Michael Clarke flanked by Paddy Naughton and Darragh Rooney. The trio will put it up to Evan Regan, Luke Feeney and Conor McStay and it should prove to be an interesting contest.

Down’s Cormac Hughes will work hard around the middle while Kerry’s Jack Goulding will lead the attack. Former Kilmacud player Niall O’Leary will operate on the half-forward line and tall attacker Chris Duggan has been having an excellent season.

Former London star Lorcan Mulvey manages Fulham Irish who have been one of top teams in Britain in recent years. They will arrive in Castlebar in confident mood with a loud and passionate band of supporters behind them.

“Fulham Irish are a fine team, but the Stephenites won’t be taking them lightly,” McGrath stated.

The Wandsworth coach is no stranger to preparing teams for big games having worked alongside John Maughan when Mayo reached the All-Ireland final in 2004. “I’ve had great days in football and those moments were special. Working with John, George (Golden), Liam (McHale) and the finest of lads is something I will never forget. We had the best of days but didn’t get over the line and I’m so sad for the mighty men who wore the jersey over the years that they didn’t get their hands on Sam Maguire.”

Tomorrow evening, Ballina Stephenites will enter the Connacht Club Championship for the first time since McGrath and his friends wore the jersey in 2007. “We won the Connacht Championship that year and beat St Brigids which was a great day. Nemo Rangers got the better of us in the All-Ireland semi-final and I was in London soon after. I had great days with the Stephenites and made the greatest of friends. Enda Deveney, Pat Harte, John Healy, Paul McGarry, Brian Ruane, a great captain, David Brady, Fr Michael Reilly and so many, many more are in my thoughts this week as the Ballina lads get ready for the big game.

“Two special clubs will meet in Castlebar and it will be a great night for everyone involved,” McGrath concluded before heading home to spend time with his wife Appoline and their daughter Saoírse. Football is important to McGrath, but family is everything.

(McGrath's Wandsworth Gaels team defeated Glasgow Gaels 1-9 to 0-7 in the All Britain semi-final last Sunday in Birmingham.)

Connacht Senior Club Championship Quarter-Final

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 11 (6pm)

Ballina Stephenites v Fulham Irish

Hastings Insurance MacHale Park