The action in the divisions of the Mayo league take a break this weekend as the action in the cup and shield competitions takes over at the quarter-final stage. In the Connacht Gold Cup, there are four top division sides left in the draw with two from the Premier A and one from each of the Premier B and League One. Westport United who are second in the Super League and were held to a 1-1 draw away to Iorras Aontaithe last weekend will be at home to League One side Ballyhaunis Town who are themselves second in their division. United are the defending cup champions having routed Castlebar Celtic B 6-0 in the final last year in Milebush and will be hot favourites to book a semi-final spot on Saturday evening. The only unbeaten team in the league across all five divisions Ballyheane will be taking on Premier B opposition ins the shape of Ballyglass. The central Mayo side are currently riding on a high after picking up the Tuohy Cup last Sunday in Milebush thanks to a 4-0 win over Bangor Hibs and are also currently top of the extremely tight Premier B division, where they are level on points with Swinford and Westport United B at the top of the table. Ballyheane come into the game on the back of a 3-0 derby win against Castlebar Celtic last weekend and will be full of confidence themselves. Claremorris who find themselves rock bottom of the Super League will make the trip Castlebar to take on Fahy Rovers for a place in the final four. Claremorris have only one win under their belt in the league this season and last weekend were hammered 6-1 by league leaders Ballina Town at home. Fahy are two points clear at the top of Premier A and this game has all the hallmarks of a divisional upset, unless Claremorris can dig out a win to breathe some life back into a season that looks like tumbling towards relegation. The final quarter final pits a Castlebar Celtic side, who are in turmoil and now managerless after Declan Kilkelly resigned following Celtic’s 3-0 defeat at home to Ballyheane last weekend, against Charlestown Athletic. The east Mayo men who are currently sitting in third place in the Premier A will be hoping to use home advantage to claim the scalp of the Hoops.
Shooting for the shield
In the Connacht Gold Shield last eight, Snugboro United are the only top division side left in the competition and they will be hoping that home advantage will assist them see off the challenge of a Bangor Hibs side who are coming into the weekend off the back of a heavy Tuohy Cup final loss last weekend. Conn Rangers who just missed out on promotion to the Super League last season, but have found themselves near the foot of the Premier A this season will travel to face a Clew Bay United side who are only two points behind them in the table at the minute.
Conn Rangers second string side are also in quarter-final action will host Straide and Foxford United in Mount Falcon. The visitors are battling it out at the top of the Premier A looking to make it back to the Super League, while Rangers B are stuck in mid table of League One at present. The final game in the last eight pits Achill Rovers at home to Kilmore. The visitors are in last place in the Premier B table at present, while Achill Rovers are amongst a group of four sides separated by only three points trying to gain promotion to that division next season. The islanders’ home advantage could be key here. All games across the two divisions, kick off at 6.30pm on Saturday evening.
