The final round of group games in the Mayo GAA intermediate championship will have plenty to play for over the eight games this weekend.
What we know for sure is that three sides - Kiltimagh, Louisburgh and The Neale - are through to the last eight, while Islandeady and Ballinrobe already know they will be two of the four teams in the relegation play-offs.
In group one, any matter of things could happen. At the moment Ardnaree are out in front on four points with two wins from two, behind them are Crossmolina Deel Rovers and Bonnincolon on two points each with one win from two; and bottom of the table are Swinford with zero points and wins at the minute, but they still have a chance of staying out of the relegation play-offs.
Ardnaree will meet Bonniconlon in Ballina on Sunday lunch-time, while at the same time Crossmolina Deel Rovers will be taking on Swinford in Foxford. Any kind of positive result for Ardnaree will see them go into the last eight, even if they lose - it would take a big win for Crossmolina Deel Rovers, combined with a decent defeat to Bonniconlon, to deny them a spot in the last eight. Wins for Bonniconlon and Crossmolina would see Ardnaree, Bonniconlon and Crossmolina all finish the group stages up on four points each, with the two qualifying spots being decided by score difference - at the moment Ardnaree are on +7, Bonniconlon on +4 and Crossmolina Deel Rovers on -5. Bonniconlon will be hoping that a win will be good enough to make the last eight - but will be keeping an eye on the action in Foxford as the permutations in this group could sway wildly, depending on the results. Swinford's main concern will be keeping out of the relegation zone, they'll need to beat Crossmolina at the least to do that - there is a very slim outside chance of them making the quarter-finals, but that would need things to go really in their favour in both games. This group could be one for the calculators and maths whizzes to sort out as both games come to an end.
The only thing we know for sure in group two is that Islandeady will be in the relegation play-offs, for the other three teams there are two spots in the quarter finals up for grabs. Burrishoole and Parke both have three points each, while Balla have two points at the minute. Last year's junior champions, Balla, will take on Burrishoole in MacHale Park on Sunday at 1pm, with both sides knowing a win will guarantee them a place in the last eight - last year's beaten intermediate finalists know a draw will also do them. The other game in the group is another west Mayo derby and while we already know that Islandeady are heading for the relegation play-offs, Parke will not be able to take their eye off the ball as a narrow Balla win in the other game and a defeat to Islandeady would see them missing out on the last eight - but going on the championship form to date, they should have enough to take care of their own end of the deal on Sunday.
The Neale are already into the last eight no matter what happens this weekend in group three, they have won two from two and will take on Ballinrobe, who also already know they are going to have at least one more game this season after this one - but in the relegation play-offs rather than where they wanted to be at the start of the year. The meeting between Mayo Gaels and Ballyhaunis is where all eyes in this group will be - as it's a winner takes all contest with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs. This one should be a cracker and come down to the wire, with the all important quarter-final space there for the taking by the winners.
It's all sorted out in group four in regards to who will be in the last eight, with both Kiltimagh and Louisburgh meeting in Castlebar for top spot and a seeded position in the draw. The meeting of Lahardane and Shrule-Glencorrib in Balla on Saturday evening is where you might want to be, the winner will be playing intermediate football next year and the loser will be rolling the dice in the relegation play-offs - while a draw would be enough for Lahardane on scoring difference if the teams can not be separated on the evening. All in all there's plenty of intrigue and excitement in store in the intermediate grade this weekend.
Group One
Crossmolina Deel Rovers v Swinford
Sunday, September 8 at 1pm in Foxford
Bonniconlon v Ardnaree Sarsfields
Sunday, September 8 at 1pm in Ballina
Group Two
Balla v Burrishoole
Sunday, September 8 at 1pm in MacHale Park
Isladneady v Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin
Sunday, September 9 at 1pm in Breaffy
Group Three
Mayo Gaels v Ballyhaunis
Sunday, September 8 at 3pm in Davitts
The Neale v Ballinrobe
Sunday, September 8 at 3pm in Hollymount
Group Four
Lahardane MacHales v Shrule-Glencorrib
Saturday, September 7 at 6pm in Balla
Louisburgh v Kiltimagh
Sunday, September 8 at 2.30pm in MacHale Park
