With the season coming to an end, there is a serious rush to squeeze in games that have to be played into a short time period and any small diversion off course can lead to problems. Ballyhaunis overcame Four Roads from Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final a couple of weeks ago and eagerly awaited their Connacht final showdown with the Galway champions. However a spanner was thrown in the works last weekend when Mellick Eyrecourt and Tynagh-Abbey Duniry drew in the Galway intermediate final. Both sides have to meet again this Saturday in the replay and then the winners turn out again the following day against Ballyhaunis in the Connacht final in Athleague at 2pm.
Martin McDermott and the rest of the Ballyhaunis think tank will get another opportunity to run their eye over their potential opponents on Sunday at Saturday’s replay. The game will offer Ballyhaunis a great opportunity to claim a first provincial crown, with the Mayo senior champions now going into the intermediate competition rather than the senior equivalent and the annual heavy beating at the hands of the Galway senior champions who would have had designs on All Ireland titles once they got out of their county championship. Players like Derek McConn, Liam Lyons, Keith and Pierce Higgins are all top quality hurlers and could swing the tie in favour of the Mayo men come Sunday at 2pm.
