Ballina dreaming of more Connacht success

The old marketing slogan which told GAA people they had one life and one club was popular for a time in the early part of the century. It was a catchy, simple statement which cut right to the heart of the sport and went some way to explaining why the bounce of a ball matters so much when parishes collide on the field of battle.

However, the catch-all slogan doesn’t apply in all cases and as Ballina prepare for tomorrow's Connacht semi-final against Corofin in Pearse Stadium, The Mayo News caught up with a man who holds two GAA clubs close to his heart.

Shane McCann grew up in the bosom of the GAA. Éire Óg in Lurgan was his first love and the dream of wearing the Armagh crest with the harp and cross of St Patrick was the dream.

Last Saturday evening, he was on the edge of his seat in Hastings MacHale Park roaring on Ballina Stephenites as they overcame Fulham Irish. McCann’s childhood dreams were vivid but never included a devotion to the club from James Stephens Park. Life can throw up wonderful diversions sometimes.

The well-known coach and former player realised his dream of wearing the Armagh jersey as a minor in 1993. He was part of a highly-fancied Armagh team beaten by a Fermanagh squad inspired by Raymond Gallagher and the rest is history.

In 1996 he arrived by the Moy and threw in his lot with the boys in green and red of the Stephenites. A championship debut versus Crossmolina introduced him to the vagaries of Mayo club football but niggly groin problems halted his gallop.

The Stephenites won the county title in ’98 on their way to the All-Ireland club final but injury came calling again and left him watching from the line.

“It was a frustrating time from that point of view but arriving into a new club and being made feel so welcome was very special. I looked around the dressingroom and saw Liam McHale, David Brady, Brian Ruane and the finest of men, so I kept my head down for a while at the beginning.

“In ’98 we played Corofin twice in 24 hours. We played on Saturday in Ballina and drew and the replay took place the following day in Ballina again. It was mad but that’s the way the fixtures were at the time. We were ahead at half-time but they came back at us and levelled it near the end before Máirtín (McGrath) and Brian McStay kicked late points to win it,” Shane told The Mayo News.

“There was a great buzz in the club at the time and I can feel the same thing again now,” he added. “The current squad are so tight. They enjoy each other’s company and enjoy playing football, which is a great sign. They’ve all come through the ranks and so many people have helped along the way, which is the sign of a great club.”

McCann has coached all but one of the current squad at some stage in their development, but is taking no credit for their success. “Countless people have done countless things and there are so many people along the chain from when a lad comes in at six or seven and goes all the way to winning a county title. There are great people involved in the Stephenites and it’s just an honour to see those fine young lads doing so well.

“Winning the county title was a huge breakthrough for them. It was crucially important and it changes everything going forward. It was great to see them win on Saturday night against a good Fulham Irish team, but the challenge next Saturday is another level entirely,” he warned.

The former Mayo minor coach is no stranger to extended championship runs having enjoyed three provincial assaults with Ballina and two trips to Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day.

“Those runs were brilliant. When things got moving and everything gelled and the belief kicked in it was something special. We made memories for life and that’s why I’m so delighted to see the current crop doing so well. They’ll remember these days long after they stop kicking ball,” Shane added.

Tomorrow, the young men in green and red will carry the hopes of a county onto the pitch in Salthill. In the stands, their loyal supporters will roar themselves hoarse and a man with one life and two clubs will kick every ball with them. It promises to be a memorable afternoon.

FIXTURE

Connacht Club Senior Championship Semi-Final

Corofin v Ballina Stephenites

Pearse Stadium, Galway, Saturday, November 18

Throw-in - 2pm