When the play off to decide who came out of the Belmullet, Davitts, and Swinford triple headache was drawn most would have expected the final berth in the last eight to be decided by the time the quarter finals of the competition rolled around. But that is not the case, Swinford managed to come through the first game and book their place, but there has been no separating Belmullet and Davitts over the last two weekends. One hundred and forty minutes of football have not been able to separate them so far and they must do it again on Sunday for a third time in Ballina, with Cill Chomain waiting patiently for the winners. Who will come through between Belmullet and Davitts is really a toss of a coin, both teams know each other inside and out by now and on Sunday you would expect someone to blink or make a mistake that could prove decisive.
While those two are still trying to sort out who will make the last eight, three other quarter finals will be going on Saturday evening. Westport, many people’s favourites to claim the title and move back up to senior football, will take on Mayo Gaels in Clogher on Saturday at 5.30pm. The fact that the Covies are playing football in Division 1A while Mayo Gaels are operating in Division 1D shows the calibre of opposition either side is used to facing week in week out, but Mayo Gaels have shown great heart in making it this far in the championship and were once considered serious contenders to be battling it out to avoid relegation, so they have nothing to lose and everything to gain on Saturday evening. That fact could see Westport come a little unstuck on Saturday evening, all the pressure is on them as everyone expects Martin Connelly’s men to breeze past them and into the last eight. If Mayo Gaels can keep in touch up to the three quarter mark it will make for a very interesting game, but Westport’s overall quality should see them through.
Another clash, which on paper looks like it should be a banker for the side who are flying in the league against one who have had a poor league, is the meeting of Achill and Kilmaine. The islanders have had a good league while the south Mayo men face the drop to the fourth tier of league football next season. But Kilmaine have taken to the championship like old hands, seeing off Hollymount and Tourmakeady while drawing with Killala. Achill have lost a bit of their consistency over the past few months and lost their lost championship game to Westport. And on Saturday in Islandeady the south Mayo men should have enough to make the last four.
The last quarter final on the weekend will see Swinford and Davitts meet in Ballinrobe, there is one thing for sure about this game, it’s going to be a tough physical battle. Swinford came out of the play off with a win over Davitts after having an indifferent group stage. Tourmakeady will be a tough physical outfit and very difficult for them to break down, but for all the heart and hunger they bring to the field Tourmakeady’s lack of scoring threat up front could cost them on Saturday evening and give Swinford a distinct advantage in making the last four.
