Unflappable Ballina on the brink of history

There's no mad hysteria in the streets of Ballina, almost as if the townspeople are taking their cue from the surprisingly laid-back attitude of the players, management and officials from the Stephenites club. It's just their way, apparently.

But expect life on easy street to cease this afternoon. For a club founded back in 1886, and steeped in the GAA's history, today's encounter with Crossmaglen Rangers is a momentous occasion. Still, you wonder how a team on the brink of history, and in an All-Ireland club football final for the first time, has remained so unflappable in the build-up to the game. "Ah, there's no point going overboard," muses manager Noel O'Dowd, a native of Longford who came to Mayo some 25 years ago.

O'Dowd has left an indelible mark on the town's footballing life, guiding the club to county championships in 1985 and '87 and, of course, again last year, their 34th title. Not many observers gave them much of a chance in 1998 but, from the time they beat Charlestown in the first round, the steamroller effect took hold and the provincial title followed. Ballina Stephenites, great servants to the GAA model of building community spirit through the construction of top-class facilities (as any visitor to James Stephens Park will testify), are one step away from the ultimate dream.

They're taking the whole thing in their stride, however. Indeed, from February of last year when the team assembled for their first training session, the approach from everyone associated with the campaign has been one of utter dedication. O'Dowd struggles to put his finger on the exact number of training sessions held in pursuit of the dream, but he figures it is "about 160 or 170."

And, all the time, O'Dowd pinpoints the entire team effort of their march: from his back-room team and the club officials to the players themselves. All for one and one for all. Indeed, the Stephenites' approach demonstrates just what it takes to succeed in the highly competitive world of club football these days. O'Dowd is manager, but no dictator. Gerry Leonard and Tommy Lyons, who both played alongside each other in the club's two county wins in the 1980s, train the team and, according to O'Dowd, haven't missed a single training session for over 12 months.

Padraig Lynn, another past player, and club chairman Paddy Ruane are selectors, Martin Browne and Walter Corcoran are the team physiotherapists, Simon Browne is the equipment manager and Dr Tom Moffat is the team doctor. Then, in the background, there is Willie Loftus, a legendary figure in these parts who captained Mayo to All-Ireland under-21 success in 1967, who acts as an adviser. One big team effort.

The imposing figure of Liam McHale also stands over the team's progress to the All-Ireland final. "Apart form his contribution on the pitch, he's a very good thinker," says O'Dowd, "and he is going to make a terrific coach some day. Liam has learned a lot about tactics over the years and we use him a a good deal in planning for matches. He is someone everyone listens to, and respects."

And, as if to confirm that virtually all of Mayo have rowed in behind Ballina since their county success, O'Dowd and his colleagues have also been picking the brains of Knockmore, the team from the next parish who made it to Croke Park on St Patrick's Day two years ago, to find out how to prepare for the big day. "We're not afraid to listen to advice," admits O'Dowd.

Ballina's march hasn't been easy. For starters, they have players based in Dublin, Galway and Sligo apart from Ballina - and forward Brian McStay took transatlantic flights home from working in Boston on six occasions in order to contribute to the cause. "That's an indication of the sort of commitment we got back from the players," says O'Dowd.

Ballina's dream flickered into life last June, the day they beat Charlestown. "We were given no more than a 50-50 chance that day, and were probably considered the underdogs in most eyes. We'd about six players new to championship football and they'd already beaten us in the league," says O'Dowd. But Ballina won, and O'Dowd observes that the newcomers "have grown in stature with almost every game since then."

The win over Crossmolina was considered the turning point in Ballina's objectives, the win over Corofin - last year's winners of the All-Ireland club title - an indication of how far they could possibly go. Now, they are one game away from the title with O'Dowd insisting that Crossmaglen "must be favourites." It seems that the underdogs tag sits quite comfortably on the shoulders of the men of Ballina. Perhaps it is all part of the grand plan. Whatever, Ballina Stephenites - and their supporters - haven't come so far, and put in so much effort, just to simply turn up in Croke Park for the craic.