The build up to Mayo’s Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final with the winners of the clash of London and Leitrim this weekend continues on Sunday. James Horan will be turning his microscope on his players again this Sunday in Ballaghaderreen against Westmeath and Sunday will mark the official re-opening of the pitch and clubhouse following their redevelopment of their facilities.
The club have a full weekend of celebrations planned and things will throw in on the celebrations this evening, Friday June 1 with the launch of a commemorative booklet celebrating the history of the club in Molly’s Bar at 8.30pm, by John O’Mahony TD. The celebrations will continue tomorrow, Saturday, all day with a number of underage games and the meeting of the club’s senior side with Breaffy in Division 1a of the Mayo senior league at 7pm.
At 3.30pm on Sunday, the club facilities will be opened by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring and will be blessed by the club patron Dr Brendan Kelly, Bishop of Achonry. Following that, the club will honour the members of the minor and junior team of 1968, the intermediate team of 1971 and the senior and u21 team of 1972 who all won county titles at those grades. The showpiece of the weekend – the challenge match against Westmeath – will throw in at 4.30pm. The weekend will then wind up with a function to be held in Durkins Bar, The Square, Ballaghaderreen. Entry to Sunday’s game will cost €10, €5 for students and OAPs and u16s go free.
Shocks and surprises in championship first round
Last weekend’s first round of the Treanlaur Catering Mayo Senior Football Championship and the Egan’s Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship produced plenty of excitement across the county. Defending champions Ballintubber blitzed local rivals Breaffy by 1-14 to 0-3 in group three, with Claremorris taking the scalp of Davitts in the other game in that group.
In group one Garrymore out-fought Aghamore in a low scoring encounter by 1-6 to 1-2. The other game in the group was a real ‘dinger’ of a contest with Knockmore coming good at the death to overcome Shrule-Glenncorrib on the borderline. Castlebar Mitchels did what they had to do in Erris coming home with a five point win over Kiltane. Castlebar had to dig deep to pull out the win after Kiltaine came right back at them in the second half. The other game in the group was the big surprise of the weekend where Ballinrobe blew the whole group wide open with a 2-13 to 0-11 win over Crossmolina on Deelside. In group four a testy encounter between Ballina and Westport ended with both sides sharing the spoils, while Ballaghaderreen laid down a marker with a 1-17 to 1-7 win over Tourmakeady.
In the intermediate championship, the 2010 junior champions, Parke, came home from Ballyhaunis with the points thanks to a 0-9 to 0-7 win. In group two, Charlestown, who were relegated from senior last year were 1-10 to 1-6 winners over Achill, with last year’s junior champions Islandeady 1-10 to 1-7 victors away to Cill Chomain in Glenamoy. In group three Bonniconlon saw off Kilmaine in a fractious encounter in Kilmaine and Burrishoole who are hoping it is third time lucky were 1-20 to 0-12 winners over Killala. The south Mayo dual in Hollymount saw the hosts Hollymount-Carramore come out on top against Mayo Gaels by 2-14 to 1-9 with Moy Davitts holding on at home against Belmullet by a point.
Cáirde Mhaigheo golf classic
A fund raising golf classic for Cáirde Mhaigheo will be held on the weekend of Friday July 13 and Saturday July 14 in Castlebar Golf Club. Teams of four cost €160. For further details on the event contact any of the Cáirde Mhaigheo committee.
