Two GAA clubs that came close to amalgamating five years ago will meet in the Offaly IFC final this weekend.

There is likely to be more supporters from Raheen and Ballinagar in Glenisk O’Connor Park than from Tullamore and Ferbane for the county IFC and SFC final double-header on Sunday such is the interest in the local derby. After losing their three group matches – no team could get knocked out before the knockout stages under the controversial football championship format adopted by Offaly GAA – Raheen have impressed in their quarter-final and semi-finals over Erin Rovers and Tullamore respectively, while their parish rivals Ballinagar took out championship favourites St Brigid’s in their semi-final.

For many years, players from Ballinagar were allowed to play senior football with Raheen, while players from the current teams played together for the Na Fianna underage amalgamation which also caters for players from Clodiagh Gaels. With numbers tight, the clubs held separate EGMs on the same night in 2019 to vote on joining forces – Ballinagar voted in favour, but Raheen didn’t.

In the end, the proposed amalgamation fell just five votes short of the large majority that was needed to make it happen. In hindsight, it was the correct decision as both clubs are in a good place now.

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