So the snow and ice seems to have finally left us and depending on the weather over the weekend, the three remaining Mayo clubs left in the competition will go looking to make it past the first round proper. Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, and Westport all bowed out of the cup at the preliminary stage before Christmas. So Ballina, Castlebar, and border club Corrib are all left in the competition with a shout.
Ballina have been the pace setters of all the Mayo sides this season and they travel to Galwegians on Sunday looking to get back on the winning horse. They lost their last game before Christmas 19-3 away to Sligo, and they will be hoping they can go one better than last year in the semi-final stage of the cup. Clive Moore’s men should have more than enough to see off a struggling Galwegians side, but with the cold snap causing difficulties for all sides in getting training going, they do not want to get caught cold early on away from home.
Castlebar are the second Mayo side making the trip to Galway on Sunday. They face into a long trek to Ballinasloe as they go in search of a win. It has not been a great season for Castlebar so far but they pulled off a good win away to Tuam a while ago which has sown the seeds of growth. But they will have to be on their toes on Sunday as they do not want to get caught out again in Galway against opposition they should be beating, like they were against Portumna not so long ago in the cup.
Border side Corrib will have home advantage against Division 1b side Connemara, they have had a good start to the year and will be looking to continue it against the south Galway men this weekend. And they should have enough to come out on top.
