The last round of games in the local stages of the FAI Umbro Junior Cup are down for decision on Sunday all over the county. With four games down for decision, there are a number of interesting contests to whet the appetite of the soccer supporter. The big game of the day is the meeting of Iorras Aontaithe and Ballina Town in Carnenash at 2pm. Ballina Town picked up their second Super League title in a row in the autumn and will be looking to make a splash in this competition.
It has been a long year for the champions, and resting players since the end of the league has a priority for Ballina Town manager Brendan Kenny. “We’ve had a long year and since we finished up the local season we’ve given the lads a good rest,” he said. “They needed it, you can’t keep bringing lads out on to the training field all the time, you’ll burn them out and it’ll kill their appetite for the game.” Keeping the players hungry for games is something that Kenny sees as key to his side’s progress in the external competitions such as this Sunday’s. “We’ve asked the lads to keep tipping away themselves over the past few weeks, hopefully they’ll be hungry for action and that will stand to us. I suppose being the Mayo champions it puts an onus on us to go out there and do well in this competition and we want to do well in it for ourselves too.”
Facing Iorras Aontaithe at any time of the year is never an easy task and it will be no different this Sunday according to Kenny. “I suppose the one disappointing thing about the game on Sunday is that one of two very good sides won’t be going any further in this competition. Iorras Aontaithe have shown themselves over the past number of years in this competition that they are more than a match for any side in the country, so it’s up to us to go there and earn a win. Hopefully we’ll get back into the groove of playing our passing brand of football and that will set us up for the win.” Playing good quality football is something that Kenny’s side have been known for over the past few years but he knows that his side’s opponents on Sunday also have that ability. “Iorras are a very good side, they are a very well organised side who play to their strengths and while they might not get the credit they deserve sometimes they can put the ball down on the deck and play a really good brand of football too.”
Keeping a good side together in the face of the current economic climate is something that sports teams all over the country have to face and Kenny sees this as being a challenge for the future. “I suppose we are no different to any side anywhere in the country, if lads can’t find work they’ll go to where they can find it and you can only wish them good luck because this is something they have to do. We’ve been working hard to bring through a few younger lads this year if it happens, and the lads who have been given a chance have taken it, which is good to see.”
Kenny is double jobbing this winter as he also manages the Mayo League side in the Oscar Traynor trophy which will kick off on December 19, and he is enjoying the challenge of trying to crack that competition at the moment. “It’s going good so far, our first game has been pushed out to December 19 but we are working away at it. We had a good work out against the Galway League in a challenge game on Wednesday night just gone and we gave plenty of lads a chance to show what they have so far. The response from the players has been great so far and I’ve no doubt it will continue.”
The other games in the FAI Junior Cup this weekend sees Ballyhaunis Town who have just finished their first season in the Mayo league this year hosting Kiltimagh/Knock United, local rivals Castlebar Celtic will welcome Ballyheane to Celtic Park, and the second heavyweight clash of the round will see Manulla take on Westport United in Carramore which on paper promises to be a cracking encounter.
Masters league kicks into gear
The second round of games in the Westaro Master league took place in Milebush on Wednesday night. The competition for the over 35s has been a great success since it first started last winter with large number of sides taking part. In Wednesday night’s games in division one Westport United lost to Fahy Rovers 3-2, Iorras Aontaithe saw off Straide and Foxford United 2-0, while Castlebar Celtic were 6-2 winners over Ballyvary Blue Bombers A.
In the division two Ballinrobe town got the better of Manulla by four goals on a scoreline of 5-1, Ballyvary Blue Bombers B came out on the right side of a seven goal encounter against Bangor Hibs, while Mulranny Untied hammered Ballyglass 7-1. In the final game of the evening Swinford saw off Claremorris with three goals to spare winning 5-2.
Former Irish manager on ‘Hand’ at Ballina Town youths’ presentation night
Ballina Town youths held their annual presentation night in the Courthouse Hotel, Ballina, recently and were honoured to have Eoin Hand former Irish International player and manager, to present some of the prizes.
Mark Winters acted as MC for the evening and paid a special welcome to Eoin Hand, he pointed out that the club has some 300 players taking part in teams from age six up to 16. The players are being ably looked after by a dedicated team of 30 volunteers who coach, manage teams, organise games, and prepare the facilities in Belleek. He congratulated all the team who competed with distinction during the past year, especially the u16 girls’ team who won the Premier League and Cup. The u10 and u12 boys and girls won various tournaments in Mayo and Sligo. He also congratulated the junior team who won the Super League for a second consecutive year, and the sponsors of the club. He thanked all the parents who helped out in any way during the past year. Eoin Hand said he was delighted to be there to present the prizes to the players. He congratulated all the recipients and encouraged all the players to play football and enjoy themselves. He had a special word of encouragement for the girls and was delighted to see the numbers of girls who were playing football at Ballina Town.
