The Mayo intermediate championship threw up plenty of surprises last weekend in its first round of action.
In the big south Mayo derby, Mayo Gaels picked up a large win against one of the other favourites for the title - Hollymount-Carrmore - in Mayo Abbey last weekend, seeing them off 2-14 to 1-10 in group two, with John Gallagher starting and hitting 1-7 in total - 1-6 of that coming from play. This weekend they'll be looking to pick up win number two, but will face a tough test from Burrishoole in Newport - who themselves are coming off a good 3-9 to 2-10 win over Lahardane. The north Mayo men will face a tough task heading to Hollymount to take on a Hollymount-Carramore side, who will be smarting after their loss last time out.
In group one, Bohola Moy Davitts earned local bragging rights with a narrow 2-14 to 1-15 win over Swinford on the road, Cian McHale hit 0-8 for the side who were relegated down from senior last year and that win sets them up nicely for a crack at promotion back at the first go. This weekend they will be at home to a Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin side, who had a big win of their own, seeing off Bonniconlon 4-16 to 1-4 where Ronan Caolan bagged 1-6 for his side. Bonniconlon will have to shake off that big loss and hope to pick up some momentum at home to Swinford if they want to get back into contention before round three.
In group three, Lousiburgh's good run of form this year continued with a big 2-9 to 0-6 win on the road against Ardnaree last weekend. Oisin Lally bagged 1-2 for the Seasiders and they'll face another tough test this weekend when last year's junior champions, Kilmaine, come calling - who had a 2-11 to 0-14 win over last year's beaten intermediate finalists Kiltimagh - where Adam Barrett hit 1-5 for the south Mayo men. Kiltimagh will need to get a win at home to Ardnaree if they are going to get their championship season back up and running this weekend.
Castlebar Mitchels B laid down a marker of intent last weekend with a big come-from-behind win at home to Ballinrobe on Sunday morning. Kevin Filan's men trailed 2-5 to 0-4 at the break but a late goal from Mark Cunningham along with a big showing from David Stenson who kicked eight points, saw them pick up the points. Ballinrobe will be very disappointed with their second half - only getting a single point and they will be at home to Ballyhaunis this weekend. The east Mayo men were pipped 1-13 to 0-14 by Crossmolina Deel Rovers at home, with Fionan Duffy getting the all-important goal for the north Mayo men; they'll face into a tough test at home to Castlebar this weekend.
Jostling for position in junior
In the junior championship, Kilmeena, who will be one of the favourites to claim the title, had a massive 4-11 to 0-4 win over Tourmakeady where Joey Smyth bagged 2-1 and Darragh Keaveney hit 1-4. The other game in group one saw Ardagh have a 3-13 to 0-10 win over Kilfian. In group two, Kilmovee Shamrocks had a big victory over Lacken, while Cill Chomain, another of the favourites for the title, played out a 0-9 to 1-6 draw with Achill at home with the islanders levelling it up late, late on. Shrule-Glencorrib and Ballycastle had wins with the north Mayo men edging out Eastern Gaels 0-9 to 0-8 and the men from the southern border 2-12 to 0-10 winners away to Moygownagh. Group four is a three-team group and Islandeady, who were relegated down from intermediate last season, laid out a marker of intent with a big 3-17 to 0-14 win over Killala to get their charge up and running.
