The first semi-finals of the Mayo club championships are down for decision on Sunday with both games throwing in at 3pm in Castlebar and Crossmolina. The meeting of Islandeady and The Neale will take place in the county ground, while Ardnaree and Lahardane will do battle in the home of the Deel Rovers.
Islandeady made the final of last year’s competition where they were beaten by Parke who have gone on to reach the final four of this year’s intermediate championship. The west Mayo men who are under the guidance of Shane Hopkins will be itching to put last year’s final defeat to rest by claiming this year’s crown but will face a tough test from the south Mayo side. Islandeady saw off Castlebar Mitchels B with ease in Breaffy in the last eight and will be looking to the likes of the experienced Ollie Feeney to give them the leadership on the field on Sunday. The Neale shrugged off the challenge from Ballina Stephenites B in their quarter final outing after coming through a tricky group which contained fellow semi-finalists Lahardane. Pat Casey will be the linchpin of their side in the number six shirt in what promises to be a tough encounter.
The second semi-final sees the meeting of Lahardane and Ardnaree. The north Mayo men made the final of the competition a couple of years ago where they lost out to Kiltimagh, while Lahardane were knocked out of last year’s competition by eventual winners Parke, which showcases the quality that both sides possess at this level. Lahardane beat a fancied Ballintubber B side in their quarter final game and Ardnaree were made to work very hard by a tough Louisburgh side in their last eight contest. As with the other semi-final this game will be very hard to call and both sides will leave nothing on the field in the cause for a place in the final.
Junior B final spots up for grabs
The junior B championship semi-finals are also down for decision this weekend with Claremorris B and Garrymore B squaring off in a south Mayo derby in Ballinrobe on Saturday at 8pm. The second semi-final between Parke B and Ballaghaderreen B, will be the curtain raiser for the Islandeady v The Neale semi-final in the A competition in McHale Park on Sunday, throwing in at 1.30pm.
