Ballaghaderreen v Breaffy
In Charlestown
Sunday May 31 at 6pm - Ref: J Hughes
Where has it gone wrong for last year’s league champions? Five games this year, no wins, and they are rooted to the bottom of the league, while Ballaghaderreen have been gearing themselves up nicely to defend the title they won last year. Both sides have a couple of injury worries with Andy Hanley, Andy Moran, Michael Solan, and Ronan McGrath all nursing some kind of injury or other for Ballaghaderreen.
Breaffy have missed the services of Barry Jordan for the last few weeks from the full back position, but could make it back while Colum Lyons and Gerry Jennings will both miss out leaving big holes to be filled. But on the positive side for Breaffy, Aidan O’Shea has served his suspension from club football after picking up a straight red card against Moy Davitts in the league and will be back in action.
These sides have had numerous meetings over the past few years and last year’s game saw two men get the line for Ballaghaderreen as Breaffy managed to pull level right at the death to get the point they needed to make the quarter finals. Breaffy need to find some form very soon or the season could be over before they know it, but they are very unlikely to find east Mayo men in charitable mood.
Verdict: Ballaghaderreen.
Mayo SFC Group 3
Shrule-G’Corrib v Burrishoole
In Shrule
Sunday May 31 at 6pm - Ref: M Daly
South meets west on Sunday as Burrishoole make the trip to the border to take on Shrule-Glencorrib, where a win for either side would set them up for a crack at making it out of this tight looking group. Shrule-Glencorrib have had to contend with playing without Conor Mortimer for the past number of weeks since he picked up a hand injury in Mayo’s last league game, and if he can complete his recovery in time for Sunday it would be a huge boost for his side. Both sides have already met once so far in the league where the south Mayo men needed a late Mark Ronaldson point to rescue a draw in McGovern Park at the end of April. Shrule-Glencorrib with or without Mortimer back still can call on the services of the likes of Ronaldson, Trevor Mortimer, and Kieran Conroy which would bolster any side in Mayo.
Burrishoole have had an indifferent league campaign so far picking up three points thanks to their draw with this weekend’s opponents and the 10 point hammering they dished out to Moy Davitts away from home. Big performances will be looked for by Seamus Brady from the likes of Liam O’Malley, Jason Doherty, and Conor Moran if they are to take anything from their south Mayo raid.
Verdict: Shrule-Glencorrib
Mayo SFC Group 4
Claremorris v Ballintubber
In Claremorris
Saturday May 30 at 7pm - Ref: V Neary
A rising tide may lift all boats, but one of these sides boats will be taking in water once the final whistle is blown on Saturday evening. Both these sides are on the up, but a defeat for either side will leave them facing do or die games in the second round, where it could be good-bye to the championship for this year. Both teams have perfect records in the league so far, with Ballintubber winning five from five and Claremorris four from four.
As is the case in so many of the games this weekend, this contest is really too close to call. Claremorris were in many respects the team of last year’s championship, playing some great football and making it to the final four before they got derailed. But rather than rest on their laurels they have hit the ground running once again, they will miss the services of Gary Mullins, who is out with an ankle injury, but the team have some good momentum behind them and are ready to take it on a step further this year.
Ballintubber achieved what they set out as the minimum last season by making it out of the group stages of the championship. There they met Ballaghaderreen and put them to the pin of their collar before the eventual champions shook off their shackles after a replay.
Verdict: Claremorris
Mayo SFC Group 4
Moy Davitts v Kiltane
In Foxford
Saturday May 30 at 7pm - Ref: D Harrington
These two sides may be the two sides neutral observers will expect to miss out on the knock out stages of the competition, but whoever comes out on top on Saturday will know that they have got a very good shot at causing an upset and making the break through. Kiltaine have won two out of five in league, picking up wins over Kilmeena and Belmullet, and are notorious hard nuts to crack in championship football. But the loss of men like David Munnelly and Tony Gaughan to emigration is a big loss to John Joe McLoughlin’s side.
Moy Davitts on the other hand have been moving along quite well in the league, a win over Breaffy away from home, along with two draws against both Crossmolina and Ballaghaderreen shows the potential in John Kelly’s men. They have had to deal with a number of injuries over the league so far, but word from the camp is that most have cleared up and will be fighting fit for Saturday night.
Verdict: Moy Davitts.
