Ballyhaunis hurlers looking to create history
THE hurlers of Ballyhaunis GAA Club have their minds focussed on creating history this Sunday.
No team in Connaught has ever beaten a Galway team, but the Mayo outfit are looking to change this when they take on Ahascragh Fohenagh in the Connaught intermediate hurling final replay.
The game will be played on Sunday, November 13, in Athleague at 2 p.m. and the call has gone out to the county at large to get behind this battling Ballyhaunis team as they go out to make history.
Their battling qualities are one of the standout features of this side. Having forced extra time last Sunday by outscoring Ahascragh Fohenagh by 2-2 to 0-3 in the final eight minutes of normal time, this will be their fifth tough championship match in three weeks having beaten Tooreen in a replay in the county final and Roscommon champions Oran in the provincial semi-final.
Darran Conlon, secretary of the Ballyhaunis Hurling Committee, put what Ballyhaunis are setting out to achieve into context when writing on the club's Facebook page.
He wrote: 'To put this performance into context, no team in Connaught has ever beaten a Galway team in a competitive fixture.
'The Ahascragh Fohenagh team is made up of the best of two hurling parishes. It is now a Galway senior outfit. It is led by the two Galway stars, the Mannion brothers, Padraic and Cathal, who is a 2015 All-Star.
'Our lads went toe to toe with them (last Sunday) and matched them in every way.
'The bunting and flags are out in Ahascragh. The bonfires were ready. Their supporters travelled in huge numbers expecting to bring the cup home.
'Ballyhaunis GAA Club has backed this team all the way. We also acknowledge the support of local businesses EPS, The Dalgan, Delaney's Bar, The Clock and Nicholsons' Bar and Gurteen Kitchens. That is why we have made it this far. But to get over the line we need the entire community behind us.
'It would be great to see Ballyhaunis flags up in the town and as many people as possible make it to the match next weekend to help these great Ballyhaunis men get an historic win.
'The players have already endured a hectic schedule to get this far. It will be their fifth tough championship match in three weeks having beaten Tooreen in a replay of the county final and Roscommon champions Oran in the Connaught semi-final.
'The Connaught final replay is at 2 p.m. next Sunday, November 13, in Athleague. A big Ballyhaunis community effort will help the lads bring the Connaught title to Mayo for the first time.
'Please show your support in the build up to the match by flying the Ballyhaunis colours and being the 16th man in Athleague when the lads take to the pitch next Sunday. If so, maybe those bonfires can be lit in Ballyhaunis instead!'