With the club championship providing plenty of distraction last weekend from the impending All Ireland semi-final with the defending All Ireland champions, this weekend the build up to the showdown really cranked up.
The only real news on the game is that Cavan whistle-blower Joe McQuillian has been given the notebook and the whistle for our game in Croke Park on September 2. McQuillian was last in charge of one of our games in headquarters when he took charge of the quarter-final defeat to Meath in 2009 under John O’Mahony’s tenure in charge. The minors who of course are in action a week before the seniors in their All Ireland semi-final against Meath, also found out who the man in the middle will be for them for their big day. Tyrone’s Cathal O’Hagan will take charge of that contest against the Royal County. The Mayo County Board this week also gave out a travel advisory for all Mayo supporters intending to travel to that All Ireland minor semi-final. There will be disruptions in the city that day due to the Dublin City Triathlon which will see 800 participants and involve a swim in the Liffey and a cycle and a run in the Phoenix Park. Some roads in the Phoenix Park and Chapelizod Road between the Chapelizod and Islandbridge gates will be closed between 8.30am and 1.30pm. The traffic restrictions can also be found under the FAQ tab at www.dublincitytriathlon.com
Juniors All Ireland final only a week away
John Kelly’s Mayo juniors also this week found out that this time next week they will only be one day out from their All Ireland final. Following their victory over Lancashire a fortnight ago in their semi-final, Mayo were awaiting their opponents from the meeting of Kerry and Cavan last weekend. The men from the Kingdom came through from that battle and they will now meet Kelly’s side in Cusack Park, Ennis, next Saturday, August 25 at 2.30pm.
Ladies get Farney girls in last eight
Fresh from their demolishing of Tyrone in last weekend’s senior football championship qualifier in Birr, the Mayo ladies were paired with Monaghan in the quarter finals of this years championship. That game has been pencilled in to throw in on Saturday next, August 25, at 2.15pm in Hyde Park, Roscommon (15 minutes before the men’s junior team are in All Ireland final action against Kerry in Ennis ). The big story from last weekend’s win by the ladies, was the phenomenal scoring performance of Cora Staunton who finished up with a personal tally of 3-11 from Mayo’s total of 3-12 over the 60 minutes. Staunton scored 3-5 of her tally from play, and Mayo were even able to afford the luxury of shooting 18 wides, 12 of them in the second half.
Hurlers fail to claim provincial crown
The Mayo u21 hurlers were unable to follow up their victory over Leitrim last week with one over Roscommon on Wednesday evening to claim the Connacht u21B hurling title. Mayo fell to a seven point defeat to the hands of the home-side in Athleague on a score of 3-14 to 3-7. Mayo went in trailing at the break by 2-9 to 0-5, and despite hitting the back of the net three times through Nathan O’Malley, Ciaran Charlton, and Kevin Keena in the final 30 minutes, they were never able to haul back the lead build up early on by Roscommon who now go on to the All Ireland u21B semi-finals.
Final fours in senior and intermediate championships now known
Last weekend’s action in the Treanlaur Catering Senior Football Championship and Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship did not throw up too many surprises. Ballintubber made sure that they will still be there at the semi-final stage as they look to make it three in a row, with a deserved win over Castlebar Mitchels. Ballaghaderreen showed there is life in them post Andy Moran with a comprehensive dismantling of Garrymore. Crossmolina Deel Rovers put a disappointing Westport side to the sword and will be relishing a crack at Ballintubber in the last four. Knockmore booked their place in the semi-finals with a win over Claremorris in a game that will not live long in the memory of many who were in McHale Park last Saturday evening. In the intermediate championship, the big winners were Parke, who showed that taking goal chances when they arrive is vital in championship football when they dispatched Hollymount-Carramore from competition. Burrishoole were made fight tooth and nail by neighbours Achill in Westport before they came out winners by a single point, while Charlestown saw off Moy Davitts and goal hungry Kilmaine ran through Swinford.
