It’s a case of all to play for in most of the groups in the Intermediate championship this weekend. Last year’s beaten finalists Kilmaine look odds on to make it out of section one in top spot. They will face a testing encounter against a Killala side who are currently in second spot in the table on points difference and will be going all guns blazing to keep their own chances alive. The other game in the group promises to be a tough physical battle when Hollymount make the trip to Tourmakeady; neither side will give quarter to the other, but home advantage should be enough to see them make the last eight along with Kilmaine.
In section two Belmullet have maximum points going into their game at home to Swinford, they saw off Crossmolina B in the first round and were given a walkover against Davitts after their game was put off following a tragedy in the Ballindine area and wasn’t able to be played within 13 days of the original fixture. The Erris men will fancy their chances of having a good cut at the title this year and should pick up another win on Sunday. If Belmullet do as predicted Davitts know that a win against a Crossmolina B side who have failed to impress too much this year will see them join them in the last eight, and big games will be needed from the likes of Colm Boyle and Keith Prendergast in Crossmolina. Section three is as cut and dried as you can get with both Westport and Achill through to the last eight with two wins from two each. The sides will face each other on Sunday in Westport and Martin Connelly’s men should have enough to hold off their west Mayo rivals. The other game in the group is a battle to avoid the dread relegation play off. Ballyhaunis must win to avoid that fate as they currently trail the north Mayo men on points difference, but having the advantage of playing at home could swing it in the east Mayo men’s direction on Saturday evening.
The final section has Cill Chomain at the top of table on four points. The north Mayo men will host bottom of the table Kilmeena on Sunday. Kilmeena have one point on the board thanks to an opening day draw with Mayo Gales and, while it is technically still possible for them to make the last eight, it would take draw in the other game in this group and a huge win over Cill Chomain, neither of which looks likely. So it’s really all down to the clash of Louisburgh and Mayo Gaels to see who will take second spot and a place in the last eight. This is probably one of the toughest games to call over the weekend and is sure to be a pulsating and tense encounter, but with so much on the line any mistake could be critical and cost either side a place in the last eight, but we’re sticking our money on Louisburgh, just about.
