Tourmakeady v Ballyhaunis,
Claremorris,
Saturday, August 28 at 6.30pm
Ref: L Devenney
They may not be the most stylish team you could watch over the weekend, but there is no doubt in the effectiveness of Tourmakeady and they will rightly go into Saturday evening’s semi final as favourites. The west Mayo men reached last year’s final and were not that far away from Westport in that game, they have gone through the group phase unbeaten carrying on last year’s form. Ballyhaunis just about got out of their group and it is hard to see the east Mayo men having enough to challenge the well drilled Tourmakeady outfit, especially with the absences of Keith Higgins and John Prenty.
Verdict: Tourmakeady
Burrishoole v Cill Chomain,
Crossmolina,
Saturday, August 28 at 6.30pm
Ref: M Daly
The men from west Mayo have been one of the favourites to win this title since the start of the year and they have borne that milestone well so far. They breezed through the group with three wins from three, the only hiccup a poor display in the first half away to Kilmeena, but they comfortably addressed that issue in the second half.
Their opponents this weekend picked up two wins in their group against Hollymount and a relegation play off bound Crossmolina B where they ran up a big score. They lost out to Tourmakeady who along with Burrishoole have their eye on the title, so they know the standard they will have to be reaching for. The underdog title will suit the men from north Mayo and they will put it up to Burrishoole.
Verdict: Burrishoole
Davitts v Kiltimagh,
Claremorris,
Saturday, August 28 at 5pm
Ref: J Henry
South and east Mayo will clash in what looks to be the most interesting game of the weekend in the intermediate grade. It was only three years ago that Kiltimagh reached the final of this competition only to be relegated out of it the following year, but they have come back with a bang this year following on from last year’s junior title success. They saw off Bonniconlon and Mayo Gaels and plundered a draw in Belmullet to book their place in the last eight.
Davitts is one of those sides that everyone has been waiting to see click for the past few years and really have a go at this grade, they have players like Colm Boyle, Michael Conroy, and Ronan McNamara who are more than capable of having major influence on the outcome of any game. They recently claimed the intermediate secondary league title and will be hoping they can add one more title to the cabinet before the year is out.
Verdict: Davitts
Belmullet v Kilmaine
Westport,
Saturday, August 28 at 6.30pm
Ref: D Corcoran
Both sides made it to last year’s semi finals, and only one of them will be making it back this year after Saturday's meeting in Westport. Kilmaine got through their group thanks to a win over Achill and a draw with Killala, which is not the most impressive of form line to bring into the last eight of the championship. But the south Mayo side will not be pushed over easily by their opponents from the north of the county. Belmullet have been there or thereabouts in the intermediate championship, just failing to make the big break on a couple of occasions. They have a number of quality players such as the always reliable Billy Joe Padden and Chris Barrett which should give them more than the edge on Saturday.
Verdict: Belmullet.
