Wilson giving women's football in south Mayo club a new lease of life

THERE was a buzz of excitement across the Mayo Women’s Football League when it was announced that an additional four clubs - Ballyvary Blue Bombers, Ballinrobe Town, Castlebar Celtic and Claremorris AFC - would be joining the senior ranks for the 2026 season.

Those clubs are a mix of new and returning and it just shows how the women’s game in the county is continuing to grow.

One of those clubs, Ballinrobe Town, has been gaining momentum at underage level in recent seasons and this year seemed to be the perfect time for the club to return to the senior women’s league.

Ballinrobe opted out of the senior ranks in 2025.

The red and white will be managed by Birmingham native John Wilson, who moved to Ballinrobe 20 years ago.

John brings a wealth of experience to his new role and coaches underage boys’ teams at the club and was also part of Xavi Vazquez’s backroom team for the senior men’s Super League side in 2024.

In an interview with The Connaught Telegraph, John said he is looking forward to the upcoming season.

“We've been putting the squad together at the moment and training sessions have got underway. Getting everything up and running is the priority at this stage.

"It's great to have the women's team back in Ballinrobe, and it was a shame not to have one last year.

"So when the club approached me about managing the team, it was too good of an opportunity to turn down."

Wilson said that the reason the team left the senior league was on account of dwindling numbers, but that trend has changed now for the better.

“A couple of years ago we did struggle with numbers, so it was kind of dwindling, and that was not through fault of our own.

"It was a mixture of certain players leaving and a lack of numbers. However, this year we’ve combined a couple of age groups together and we have some of the younger girls progressing to play at senior level.

"We've managed to bring a good few of the more experienced players back. They are providing inspiration and drive.

"I'd say we've probably got the biggest squad that we've had for a good few years, so now it's looking very promising for a good start. Overall, we are delighted with the way things have panned out.”

With successful underage girls’ teams at the club, the timing appeared to be just right for the Robesiders to join the senior ranks. Among one of Ballinrobe’s new signings is Emily Jennings, who returns to the club after a successful spell with Mayo FC.

“We had some really talented ladies footballers from Ballinrobe, but unfortunately, due to circumstances, they were playing at different clubs.

"We have a men's senior team doing as well as it is, but we really needed the women's team to be up there at senior level as well.

"Personally, I was looking for the opportunity to coach at senior level again. I enjoy coaching the underage teams, but I also wanted that opportunity to coach at senior level as well.

"Things just really fell into place and I am very optimistic for the project ahead.”

Wilson has played football both in Birmingham and with Ballinrobe Town AFC in the Mayo Super League and has enjoyed the transition to coach. He is also an experienced strength and conditioning coach.

“I used to play football back in England at an okay level, and I've been in Ireland now for 20 years. I played for Ballinrobe Town for five or six years. I have also played Super League football with the club.

"Strangely enough, when I got into coaching, I was actually coaching strength and conditioning for Gaelic football teams in Kilmaine, Hollymount-Carramore, and other areas.

"An opportunity came up to coach my son’s team at Ballinrobe Town and I have been coaching this team for five or six years which is the now the Under 14 boys’ team. They have been very successful and won two titles last year.

“Working alongside Xavi (Vazquez) with the men’s Super League team was a great learning curve for me and it was invaluable to gain that experience.”

Wilson hasn’t formed his backroom team yet for the upcoming women’s campaign but says that this will be finalised over the coming weeks.

“There is a lot of work going on between the club and myself. This will be taken care of over the coming weeks, I'm sure.”

Wilson is adding to his squad all the time and a style of play will eventually evolve which fits into his winning philosophy.

“We could have a squad of around 30 players. However, my main objective and my football philosophy is to win. I'm very competitive, but I also want to enjoy it.

"I don’t want players to be feeling like it’s a chore coming to training, I want the football and environment to be enjoyable.

"I believe that the other teams can't hurt us if they don't have the football, so it's a very expansive approach going forward, and winning the ball back, so whatever level we're at, that'll be my main idea. We'll be getting the ball back as quickly as possible and going forward.”

Ballinrobe Town is a club going from strength to strength.

With increased players and membership, the new facilities at Ballinaya, which were granted planning permission last September, will be a welcome addition.

“The club is in such a brilliant position, with underage players progressing, and the club has got some amazing people working from top to bottom in the club.

"It will be great to see the current underage players, our men’s and women’s teams use the new club facilities on The Neale Road.”

As for targets for the season ahead, Wilson simply wants to see the team develop and to have a competitive nature.

The main objective at the start would be to keep the playing numbers in the squad as high as possible. And with a strong squad, the target is to win their division. “You have to set those targets and to instil confidence and ambition.”

He added: "It would be great for Ballinrobe Town to become an established club in the Mayo Women’s League once again.”