Mayo native Ryan Baynes played a central role on Sarurday evening as Ballyboden St Enda’s overcame a resilient Athy side to secure a hard-earned Leinster Club Championship victory at Croke Park. For Baynes—who transferred to the Dublin giants after leaving home—it was a win steeped in relief, pride, and the sense of belonging he had built with his adopted club.
Speaking after the final whistle, Baynes admitted that the occasion brought a different kind of pressure, even for a club with Ballyboden’s pedigree. “Delighted to get over the line really in Leinster,” he said. “It’s really new territory after the Dublin Championship, and yeah, just relieved really. There’s a lot of pressure put on the Dublin clubs. They’ve a history of winning Leinster, but there are great teams in it who can trip you up.”
Athy certainly looked capable of doing just that. Strong through the Leinster campaign and physical in their match-ups, the Kildare champions forced Ballyboden to dig deep. Baynes acknowledged that his side were well aware of the threat. “We knew they were going to be strong—they went well on their side of the championship. But yeah, just delighted now to get over the line.”
For the Ballyboden contingent, lifting silverware in Croke Park added an extra layer of satisfaction. Baynes, like many players who grow up dreaming of big days in GAA headquarters, savoured the setting. “Nice to win in Croker as well,” he said with a smile.
Yet beyond the venue and the medal, Baynes emphasised the importance of the group around him. Settling into a new county setup is rarely straightforward, but he credits the tight-knit nature of the squad for making the journey feel natural. “Winning the final with Bowden was unreal really,” he said. “We’re all such a close bunch. We see each other all the time, and the bonds we form mean as much as anything, to be honest. Because we’re so close… yeah, just delighted to finish it off.”
For a Mayo man finding success in Dublin colours, the victory marks another step in a rapidly rising club career—one grounded in hard work, camaraderie, and a Leinster title now firmly in hand.
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