Burrishoole started off this year as favourites following last year’s disappointment of losing out to Tourmakeady in the intermediate final. But they were given one hell of a scare by Hollymount-Carramore at the quarter final stage and needed two games to get over the south Mayo men. This Sunday they will not be taking anything for granted when they take on Ballyhaunis at the semi-final stage. Ballyhaunis have been impressive all throughout the championship seeing off fellow semi-finalists Parke in the group stages, along with Achill and Moy Davitts, before they had three points to spare over Belmullet in the last eight. However this is probably where the story will end for this season for Frank Browne’s men. Burrishoole picked themselves up and got back on track in their quarter final replay and they are still smarting from last year’s final defeat. Jason Doherty, Enda McManamon, Shane McDermott, and James Moran will be players that Colm Mac’ will be relying on having a big game on Sunday, and if they do the men from the east will find it very difficult to live with the McGovern Park side.
The other semi-final on Saturday pits last year’s junior champions Park against a Davitts side who have always had the potential to make a splash at this grade and finally look to have their act together. Getting to this stage of the competition is a great achievement for Frank McHale’s side. The addition of Stephen Carolan to their ranks this season has been a great addition of experience, while the likes of Simon Cloherty and Dwayne Flynn are more than capable of turning a game in their favour. But it is Pete Warren’s men from the borderline who go in as favourites on Saturday afternoon. Michael Conroy has had a great year for both Davitts and the Mayo junior team. Conroy, along with the experience of Alan Roache and players like Ronan McNamara and Colm Boyle, should tilt the balance enough in favour of Davitts in this one.
Juniors to do the dance again
There was no separating them in the Mayo junior championship last weekend with both semi-finals ending up level on the scoreboard to set up a second weekend of final four action this weekend. Lahardane left it late, very late, to get a draw against Ardnaree, with Seamus Rowland kicking the levelling score deep in injury time. Islandeady had to battle back and land two late points to haul back an impressive looking The Neale in McHale Park last weekend. Both sides will go toe to toe again at high noon in McHale Park on Sunday, while an hour later Ardnaree and Lahardane will do it all again in Knockmore.
