COLUMN: Balla’s battle in the blizzard shows schools football at its best

Our columnist, Ger Flanagan, was full of praise as his side battled past Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina in Bekan

Balla Secondary School beat Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina, in the Connacht GAA Post-Primary Schools C Football Championship final in the Centre of Excellence, Bekan. Pic: Conor McKeown

THIS columnist was drafted in for co-commentary duty alongside Rían Bailey for last Saturday afternoon’s Connacht PPS Senior C final between Balla and Gortnor Abbey at the Connacht Centre of Excellence.

As a first effort behind the microphone, it was as memorable as they come.

Not least because my old alma-mater, Balla, upset the odds with an unbelievable display to beat a well-fancied Gortnor Abbey side by five points, but also because of the horrendous conditions both sets of players had to endure, particularly in the second half, at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.

There was howling wind, driving rain and a blizzard of snow, but as hard as it tried, the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the Balla team at the full time whistle.

Credit must go to both teams for their efforts in almost impossible circumstances. They will unlikely ever play a game in conditions as bad again.

The most ironic thing about it was 30 seconds previous to throw-up, when assessing the weather for the viewers on the Connacht GAA........

© The Mayo News