On the undercard of Sunday’s senior final is the meeting of two sides who have been beaten in three of the last four junior finals as they look to finally make the break up to intermediate football. Ardnaree were seen off last year by Islandeady and were also beaten in the final of three years ago by Kiltimagh. The Neale were last in the final in 2008 when Killala saw them off to claim the title.
In the semi-finals both sides saw off B team opposition, with Ardnaree running out winners against Ballintubber B by five points, while The Neale had four points to spare over Castlebar Mitchels B in their semi-final. Both sides have had comfortable enough runs to the final bar their tough semi-final wins. Indeed it was Ballintubber B in their first game that first came closest to beating Ardnaree up to their meeting again in the semi-final. Both sides have hit the net on a number of occasions throughout their run to the final with Ardnaree hitting an impressive eight goals, but The Neale have a huge return with 17 goals in their seven games, hitting four goals on no less than three occasions. The Mayo county board also want to remind supporters that the game will throw in 15 minutes earlier than originally announced. The game will now get underway at 1.45pm in McHale Park.
Last chance to avoid the drop on Sunday
One proud record is going to go by the wayside on Sunday in Knockmore. Ballina Stephenites who have never been relegated from senior football since their inception in 1886 will face off against Kiltane who’ve been senior since 1974. Ballina have split with Anthony McGarry in the two weeks since they were beaten by Breaffy in the first relegation semi-final and installed David Brady with Kenneth Rafter and James Devanney into the management position. Last Sunday, Kiltane joined Ballina in this looser loses it all decider when they were well beaten by Aghamore by 1-14 to 0-8 in their relegation semi-final in Breaffy.
Ballina prepared for Sunday’s game with a league win over Shrule-Glencorrib which bizarre as it seems put them top of Division 1A of the league, while relegation from the championship still looms large on their shoulder. This game was also changed from Crossmolina to Knockmore late this week by the county board.
Horan deal given approval
The delegates at last Monday’s Mayo county board gave unanimous approval to offering James Horan a two year extension to his current term in charge of the Mayo senior football team. That extension will see him in charge of the side until the end of 2015. The names of the nominees for the vacant u21 and minor positions were also revealed at the meeting, with Tony Duffy who stepped down as minor manager after three years in charge throwing his hat in the ring for the u21 job alongside Crossmolina’s Stephen Rochford.
While John Kelly who managed the Mayo juniors to this year’s All Ireland final along with Vinnie Gavin going for the minor job as a duo. Also in for that job is Enda Gilverry who was a selector under Duffy this year.
