Mayo rugby clubs gear up for new season

The rugby season is in its starting blocks and the Mayo clubs are ready to roll. Ballina are back in Junior rugby after a stint in the All-Ireland League. Westport, in their centenary season, are hoping to recover from their drop to Junior 1B and all Mayo clubs can hardly wait to get started.

BALLINA

Ballina battled valiantly in the All-Ireland League in recent years and had great success, but all their brave efforts were not enough to keep them up last season and the Moysiders are back in junior rugby.

“Staying in the AIL is extremely difficult. We didn't have the squad depth that is required,” says Ray Sheehan, Director of Rugby. 

Even though there have been some players leaving during the summer, in a bid to keep playing on senior level there’s no despondency in Heffernan Park. “We have done well given the circumstances” says Sheehan. “Sean O'Connell is an addition, he came from Buccaneers. Also Craig McCormick will offer strong completion in the crucial outhalf position, having returned from New Zealand after two years.”

Some important players return from long-term injuries which will help squad depth this year, according to Sheehan.

“We’re genuinely looking forward to the season. Winning the league is always the goal but building up a strong senior squad with depth is our priority and the work we are putting into youth rugby in the club is helping us achieve that.”

CASTLEBAR

For Castlebar the season in the J1A League already started last Sunday. It wasn't the start they wished for with a 22-8 defeat away to Connemara. But this game should be put in perspective, as the West Galway side has been dominating the league in the recent years.

For Castlebar head coach Alan Bane, his team had a good preparation period. The squad is in a state of transition, after a few long-standing players left during off-season. However, Bane feels new signings will make up for that: “We have a few good recruits. For example Rory Murphy, signed from Ballinrobe. He played AIL with Corinthians. Rory just moved to Castlebar. A seasoned number 8, good senior figure, helping the young lads, a good voice on the pitch.” Castlebar's squad is equally balanced across the park. Bane want his forwards to do their job, and carry hard, stating: “If we give our backs a platform, they will score.”

WESTPORT

The 'Bulls' have recently experienced huge success and deep disappointment. In the space of just 12 months Westport won the Junior Cup in 2023 and then got relegated to the J1 B League at the end of last season. There is an obvious explanation to the sudden downward spiral: Many long-standing players, pillars of the team, retired right after the cup win. But the 'Bulls' have a set of young talented 'calves' in their stables now ready to rumble. 

Westport are usually known for powerful forward play, with a heavy pack, but there has been a shift in the team's philosophy this year. The back line is brimming with youth, pace and talent. Many of them showing great commitment, travelling from Galway and Limerick for training. 

The preparation for the new season has been promising, with Westport winning all four Curley Cup matches, to reach the final. The club has been boosted by former Connacht prop and Westport native Jamie Dever helping with coaching the forwards this season.

Westport aim to win promotion, which would nicely tie in with the club's centenary season this year. But at the end of the day, “it's all about rugby, and enjoying ourselves” says Eddie Walsh, director of rugby in the club. 

BALLINROBE

The glory days for Ballinrobe with league and cup triumphs seem to be over for now. In 2022 the club won the Curley cup, and 2023 the club finished the season with a J1B League win and subsequent promotion. Unfortunately, Ballinrobe were relegated after only one season. Seven veteran players have retired. And also influential player-head coach Craig Hansberry has moved on to take over the role as Women's Development Officer at Connacht Rugby.

“Things come in cycles” says club secretary Evan Gannon. “We had a few very enjoyable years, last year playing J1A and the two seasons before that being very successful. That cycle has come to an end now and it's about building the next team to recreate that success.” 

Two exciting young players could be part of a new cycle: 20-year-old talent Stephen O'Connor will play in the back row and another 20-year-old Jamie Treacy is beefing up the forward pack. Treacy is a proper number 8, tall and powerful, who will cause opposition headaches.

BALLYHAUNIS

The new star on the team is the head coach. Ballyhaunis have a former South African professional on the sideline. Rowan Gouws played scrum-half for Sharks and Southern Kings. An injury forced an early end to his career. Gouws moved to Ballyhaunis and has found a new rugby home. 

“We are excited” says Ballyhaunis assistant coach Gabriel Gallagher. “He brings attention to detail, experience and discipline.”

Usually, Ballyhaunis would be known as a mid-table team in the Junior 1B League, but last season a couple of results did not go their way and they just avoided relegation. Three prominent players left in the summer to play senior rugby with Sligo. 

However, there are exciting new faces in the Ballyhaunis squad: For example James Doyle, a young tall back row who played in NUIG last year, with superb athleticism. 

“He's an excellent tackler, a good defender, who reads the game extremely well” says Gallagher. 

READ: Caelan Doris teamed up to support charity work

READ: Ballinrobe RFC launch 'Bears' minis-team