No frontiers for Ballivor as All-Ireland date beckons

Star date: Sunday 22nd January 2012. Captain's log: After 11 games unbeaten in both the Meath and Leinster JFC Ballivor will attempt to boldly go where no Meath side has gone before when they tackle Galway champions Naomh Padraig for a place in the All-Ireland Club JFC final next month. It might all seem so far-fetched for a club that was close to going out of existence less than five years ago, but next Sunday Ballivor will travel to Pearse Park, Longford confident in the knowledge that another rousing performance and high quality display will see them succeed where many Meath teams have failed in the past. Clann na nGael, Moynalvey, Longwood and Ballinabrackey have all been crowned Leinster champions following their county coronation, but all faltered at the penultimate hurdle in their quest to reach Croke Park and that elusive All-Ireland JFC final spot. Other Meath clubs have been honoured as national champions at the Cremartin hosted JFC tournament, but since Croke Park officially authorised All-Ireland championships at intermediate and junior grades, Meath teams have missed out. Now Ballivor have a glorious opportunity to go that one step beyond. However, as with their Meath JFC-winning predecessors they will have to be wary of the threat that lies in the long grass. Galway and Connacht champions Naomh Padraig will be no pushovers. Ballivor would be foolish to believe the claims emanating from the west that the Clonbur club are rank outsiders. The Galway locals claim this is bonus territory and they have been playing down their chances. Naomh Padraig, like many rural clubs, have been hit hard by emigration. There is also a huge percentage of their young population at work away from the quiet sprawl of Connemara and that has ensured that preparations are not always easy. However, the spirit, determination and resolve of wandering workers returning to battle for their home town has spurred Naomh Padraig onto great things and while they most certainly are in bonus territory, they have enormous self-belief that they can cap a proud history for their club by reaching an All-Ireland final. Winning the Galway JFC isn't a straightforward procedure. Firstly Naomh Padraig had to negotiate the difficult West Board JFC. They lost that final in 2010. Determined not to suffer that heartbreak again, they returned in 2011 and secured the West Board title with a replay victory over hot favourites Aran Islands. That win set up a Galway final against Headford and that was a formality as the West Board champions almost always win the JFC outright. Naomh Padraig proved too strong for Roscommon side Creggs in the Connacht semi-final and they then set up next Sunday's meeting with Ballivor by defeating Mayo champions Islandeady in the provincial final at Castlebar. Not much is known about Naomh Padraig's individual threats, but they do possess an ace marksman in Eoin Joyce. The Trim-based school teacher trains with Navan O'Mahonys and travels home at the weekend for his club's collective sessions. He has been an outstanding servant to Naomh Padraig and will be a major threat. However, Ballivor will have threats of their own and after enjoying a few well deserved weeks off they will be raring to go. The closing months of 2011 were hectic for the Meath champions. With so many dual players involved with hurling for Kildalkey and Killyon, most of the Ballivor men were playing high intensity games every week and had no time to recover from injuries, but now they are rested and ready to go again. There are still doubts surrounding the fitness of Derek Doran. He underwent surgery on his troublesome shoulder problem after the Leinster final win over St Fechin's and he is highly unlikely to feature, but the time off is sure to have helped other weary bones. If Ballivor are to make it Croke Park then they will need to be at their best. They will also need to perform consistently for 60 minutes. The impact of Mairtin Doran and Adam Gannon will be significant. If Fergus McMahon, Noel Kirby and Sean Heavey can deliver quality ball into that pair then Ballivor will do damage. The middle third of the field will be vital and the desire to win the 'dirty' ball will be crucial. Players like Padraig Geoghegan, Sean Corrigan, Clayton Keegan and Joe McLaughlin will be vital in that pursuit and if Brian Perry and Tony Fox can keep the Galway side's attack quiet then they will be close to achieving what no other Meath side has done before, securing a place in the All-Ireland JFC final at Croke Park.