Group One
Davitts v Breaffy
Saturday October 8 at 4.30pm
In Ballindine
The visitors look like they have their progression to the last eight all but wrapped up thanks to two wins from their opening pair of games against Garrymore and Claremorris. The only way they can miss out on the last eight is a big loss in this one and Garrymore putting up an equally big score in their game against winless Claremorris.
Peter Ford's side have look impressive in their two wins in the championship so far, but will also have to balance reintegrating five players who were involved in the Mayo senior set up back into the side after they have soldiered throughout the majority of the summer without them. Davitts will be tough and hard working as a default and they have the ability to get under Breaffy's skin and push them hard on Sunday as they showed last year when the sides also met in the group stages of the championship, but it might not be enough.
Verdict: Breaffy
Group One
Claremorris v Garrymore
Saturday October 8 at 4.30pm
In Claremorris
This south Mayo derby will see half the crowd as interested in what is going on a few miles up the road in Ballindine as it is on the field in front of them. The hosts will be hoping to pick up the two points on offer here and Breaffy doing them a favour and picking up their expected win against Davitts to ensure they make it to the last eight.
There are six points separating Garymore and Davitts on scoring difference with the Ballindine/Irishtown crew having that advantage, so if Davitts manage to win against Breaffy, Garrymore will have to make up that score difference if they are to make it out alongside them. The likes of Caolan Crowe, Jimmy Killeen, and Shane Nally who has been away on Mayo duty most of the summer will be expected to have a big say in the outcome of this game for the visitors.
Verdict: Garrymore
Group Two
Charlestown v Hollymount-Carramore
Saturday October 8 at 4.30pm
In Charlestown
The newly crowned Division 1A league champions have had a year to remember, but even if they win this game tomorrow as they are expected to it might not be enough for them to make the last eight of the championship despite winning two out of three games. The south Mayo men saw off Ballintubber in a surprise win in round one, but followed that up with a heavy defeat at the hands of Aghamore in round two. They are live on points with Ballintubber at the momement but ahead of them on the head-to-head system. However a win for Hollymount-Carramore and one for Ballintubber over Aghamore, will leave all three sides level on four points, with the massive gap in points difference probably going against the south Mayo men.
That is out of their control and all that Hollymount-Carramroe can do is go out and win the game in front of them and that is one thing they look more than capable of doing against a Charlestown side that have been poor this year, but all is not lost for them. If the hosts manage to turn over their visitors on Saturday and Ballintubber see off Aghamore, they will secure their senior status on the head to head result from this game. Simple isn't it?
Verdict: Hollymount-Carramore
Group Two
Aghamore v Ballintubber
Saturday October 8 at 4.30pm
In Aghamore
Everyone knew that Aghamore had bags of potential for the past few years and this year they look to be firmly delivering on it in the championship. Jimmy Lyons' men have been very impressive so far in their two games, racking up big wins against Charlestown and Hollymount-Carramore on the road. Tomorrow they have the chance to really make themselves out as title contenders by taking out one of the big boys of the grade when Ballintubber come to east Mayo.
The Tubber's loss to Hollymount-Carramore was the surprise result of the opening round of games in the championship, but they bounced back well against Charlestown in round two and they will be going into this one with all guns blazing. A win should do it for them as they have a far superior scoring difference than the side that beat them in round one, as do Aghamore leaving the south Mayo side holding the short straw among the three teams if they each finish on four points. But Aghamore will be looking to keep laying down a marker and will not go down without a serious fight.
Verdict: Ballintubber
Group Three
Castlebar Mitchels v Ballina Stephenites
Saturday October 8 at 4.30pm
In Castlebar
It has been business as usual in the championship for Castlebar Mitchels, who look to be backing up their favourites tag to retain their title with a series of impressive showings against Crossmolina Deel Rovers and Ballinrobe in the first two rounds. They have shown no signs of a hangover from their All Ireland final defeat in March with Declan Reilly's men looking well placed for another cut at the county title and beyond once more.
For Ballina this will be a tough ask for them to make the last eight. They lost out to Crossmolina in round two and both sides are tied on two points in the table with Crossmolina ahead of them on head to head results. But all is not lost, if they win and even if Crossmolina win they would both join Mitchels on four points and Ballina's far superior scoring difference should see them through, even if they lose and Crossmolina lose it would be a similar result for them, but it is very hard to see either sequence of results happening for them.
Verdict: Castlebar Mitchels
Group Three
Crossmolina v Ballinrobe
Saturday October 8 at 4.30pm
In Crossmolina
This represents a great chance for Crossmolina to make the last eight of the championship which would be great progress for the once kingpins of the game as they plot their way back to the top ranks of the senior grade. Their win over Ballina in round two has given them a great opportunity here against a Ballinrobe side that have been well beaten in both of their games so far. With Castlebar expected to do the necessary in the other game in the group a win here would send Crossmolina through to the next round.
Even though Ballinrobe realistically have nothing to pay for with their scoring difference of -32 almost certainly consigning them to the relegation play-offs, if they did manage to pull out a win here it would be good news for Ballina Stephenites who could sneak through even if they lose to Castlebar in their game.
Verdict: Crossmolina
Group Four
Knockmore v Ballaghaderreen
Saturday October 8 at 4.30pm
In Knockmore
While there are a few sides who look almost certain to make the last eight even before a ball is kicked in anger, the only side who are guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals ahead of the weekend are Ballaghaderreen. The east Mayo men have picked up four points from their wins over Kiltane and Ballyhaunis and now face one of the grand old names of the game in the county in their final group game.
Knockmore look pretty certain to join Ballaghaderreen in the last eight, only a big defeat at home tomorrow along with a huge win for Kiltane could deny them that spot in the last eight, but they will be hungry to see off their visitors with a prized seeded spot in the draw for the quarter-finals up for grabs for the winners. It will be fiesty and tough and one that will have plenty of entertainment tomorrow.
Verdict: Ballaghaderreen
Group Four
Kiltane v Ballyhaunis
Saturday October 8 at 4.30pm
In Kiltane
The winners' championship season ends here (unless Kiltane really run up a score and Knockmore take a serious trimming from Ballaghaderreen ), it might seem an unusual prize, but it is one that both Kiltane and Ballyhaunis would gladly take because it means at the very least they have their senior status secured for another year. The losers will end up in the relegation play-offs fighting for their survival for another few weeks at least. It is a place neither side wants to be in, so there will be nothing left to chance on Saturday by either of these sides. Kiltane were well beaten by Ballaghaderreen, but showed their nous with a battling draw against Knockmore in their other game. They will need an almost 30 point swing in scoring difference in their favour along with Knockmore losing if they are to make the quarter-finals, they should win well in this one but not by enough.
Verdict: Kiltane.
