Big games will bring out the best over the weekend

Fri, Aug 10, 2012

Ballaghaderreen v Garrymore
While the injury to Andy Moran has casted a cloud over Mayo’s chances ahead of the All Ireland semi-final, it will have an equally, if not more serious, effect on Ballaghderreen’s chances in this year’s Mayo senior championship. After storming through their group with three wins from three the 2008 champions were looking good to have a serious crack at picking up this year’s Moclair Cup. A lot is going to rest now on the shoulders of the likes of Barry Regan, Andy Hanley and David and James Kilcullen to drive them on.

While the injury to Andy Moran has casted a cloud over Mayo’s chances ahead of the All Ireland semi-final, it will have an equally, if not more serious, effect on Ballaghderreen’s chances in this year’s Mayo senior championship. After storming through their group with three wins from three the 2008 champions were looking good to have a serious crack at picking up this year’s Moclair Cup. A lot is going to rest now on the shoulders of the likes of Barry Regan, Andy Hanley and David and James Kilcullen to drive them on.

Three and easy for Mayo

Sat, Aug 04, 2012

Mayo 3-18
Down 2-09

I expect to see the best of our lads tomorrow

Fri, Aug 03, 2012

I was doing co-commentary on the Kerry v Clare qualifier match last Saturday at the Limerick Gaelic Grounds. I definitely got the short straw on this one as, at times, during the game it was hard to comprehend that this was in fact a championship encounter, such was the feeble challenge from the Banner men. There was a great deal of anticipation and excitement amongst the press boys as they waited for the live draw to see who would be playing who this weekend. Irrespective of the pairings, this weekend was always going to throw up one of the most eagerly anticipated set of quarter-finals in the twelve years of the back door format and, with, it the most open All-Ireland race in living memory. The sense of excitement is created by the possibility of shocks and also by the novelty of matches between teams that have sometimes never played in championship, as with next Sunday when Kerry play Donegal in one of the most eagerly awaited quarter-finals ever. We also have the unique pairing of Mayo v Down which has undoubtedly created its own excitement locally. I remarked to one of the RTE sound men sitting beside me when the draw paired Mayo with Down, that it was a great draw for Mayo. His response was that it was a great draw for Down too. And I suppose we were both right. But let us not confuse the issue here. I believe Down appear to be the easier of the four options that were available, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a handy game for Mayo. Down will also think they have a mighty chance of beating Mayo. The Mourne men are certainly no world beaters and I will be surprised if we don’t progress to a semi-final on September 2. The standard of the Ulster championship isn’t what it used to be, so Ulster teams, with perhaps the exception of Donegal, appear to be ordinary enough. Yes, Down are probably a better team when they come to Croke Park, but Mayo too will relish the opportunity of playing at HQ. With everything at stake and the threat of possible elimination I think the Mayo lads will really be inspired to rediscover something close to their real potential. We definitely didn’t see the best of Mayo in what was a rather dull Connacht championship, but we have come to expect a little bit of magic a couple of times a year from Mayo. And now is the time to deliver a performance that will lift the confidence of both players and supporters. I have been getting mixed responses on the street, with many unsure of the capabilities of this Mayo side. But these players are smart enough to realise that the standard of football required to win championship encounters in Croke Park will most definitely have to be miles ahead of the standard we have witnessed to date this year in the Hyde or McHale Park. I think Mayo will prevail if they are a lot tighter in defence as Down are a side capable of punching holes in a rear guard that isn’t on top of its game. I flagged it here two weeks ago that our half back line in particular must stay at home and mind the house. Donal Vaughan is due a big game but he has shown us, particularly last year, that he thrives in Croke Park. I expect a big game from our centre back, one which will give the team enormous momentum if he can get those knees pumping! With the return of Aidan O’Shea to Mayo’s midfield, ( I would be shocked if the big Breaffy man wasn’t there for the throw in on Saturday evening) Mayo possess two outstanding ball winners in this crucial sector as Barry Moran is playing with huge confidence at the moment. It is important, therefore, to have these two competing for primary possession in and around midfield. To ensure this happens, Mayo must not allow any short kick outs to a free Down man. Mayo’s pair can be potential match winners if Down areforced to go long with kick outs. Mayo will have to be incisive and smart in moving the ball into the scoring zone. Our forwards haven’t sparkled in the two matches played in the championship so far and must deliver a better performance tomorrow if Mayo are to have any chance. With they type of forwards Mayo possess, they must get early fast ball into the inside line where I hope Cillian O'Connor is deployed, if they are to do any damage. And finally, nice football doesn’t get you too far these days. Mayo will need to get stuck in from the throw in and get the game on their terms because there’s so much at stake here! Our minors are really up against when they take to the field against the All- Ireland champions, Tipperary. I hope they play to their potential and enjoy what is a fantastic occasion for these young men.

Kelly’s Heros are on an international mission

Fri, Aug 03, 2012

Success has its costs and for the Mayo County Board, success in the Connacht Junior Football Championship came with the cost of having to send a Mayo team across the Irish sea for the third time this year. The Mayo hurlers had two adventures in London in the league and the Christy Ring Cup, and this weekend it is the turn of the junior footballers who are heading to Manchester to take on Lancashire in the All Ireland semi-final tomorrow at 2.30pm in Old Bedians, Manchester.

Down to business tomorrow for Mayo

Fri, Aug 03, 2012

James Horan has named the same 15 to start tomorrow’s All Ireland quarter final against Down as started last month’s Connacht final victory over Sligo. The starting 15 was released to the media and the general public shortly before lunchtime yesterday and despite much speculation that there could be a couple of changes at least to the side Horan has stuck with the same 15 who took to the field in Hyde Park.

Mayo look to topple Tipp in Croker

Fri, Aug 03, 2012

The only silver lining that the Mayo minors could take out of their Connacht final defeat to Roscommon a little under three weeks ago was that they were going to get a second chance. If Tony Duffy’s side are going to take that second chance, they will have to seriously up their performance against the rising kings of underage football in Munster, Tipperary.

Taoiseach launches Living Links Tri Event

Fri, Jul 27, 2012

Last Saturday, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Dr John Connolly of the Irish Association of Suicidology formally launched the Living Links Tri Event in aid of Suicide Awareness in Mayo. The Living Links Tri Fundraiser is being held in conjunction with the Blacksod Point Challenge Triathlon in Belmullet on September 22, and is a Triathlon Ireland sanctioned national series race.

Magnificent seven for Mayo Community Games

Fri, Jul 27, 2012

Mayo Community Games successfully hosted the HSE Connacht Community Games last weekend in Castlebar and the surrounding areas of Breaffy and Ballyvary. With ideal weather conditions to help all teams it was a day when many matches came down to the wire . Mayo Community Games secured seven titles with double gold for Breaffy rounders while Burrishoole also enjoyed double success when their girls u13 futsal team and u15 girls soccer were crowned champions. Turlough Towers girls u12 Gaelic footballers realised their dream when they won easily to lift a Connacht title. Kiltimagh girls u13 basketballers made their intentions known when they won out against tough opposition. It was a historic day for Castlebar boys u12 soccer team as they won the title for the eighth successive time.

Tony McDonnell makes it two out of three at Mulranny captains prize

Fri, Jul 27, 2012

Balla
Last weekend’s stableford competition sponsored by Baxter Castlebar, was won by Oliver Moran on 36pts with Tom Jennings in second place and Kenneth Lynskey third. The ladies’ event was won by Carmel Heverin, Marion Gormley finished in second and Mary Lavin finished third. The annual open classic will take place in Balla from Monday July 30 to Monday August 6. The event is for teams of four and three scores count for the 18 hole stableford competition.

‘It is amazing what a win in championship football can do for the feel good factor of a small town’

Fri, Jul 27, 2012

I was driving home from Dublin last Sunday evening when my good friend Pat Holmes eventually managed to get through to me on the phone. He could barely talk as his voice was practically gone. Normally, when Pat’s voice is hoarse, things have not gone too well. We had spoken earlier in the morning and I gathered then that he was nervous about playing Crossmolina later in the afternoon. I’m not so sure he was any the better after having spoken with me earlier as all I told him to do was to relax as there was a huge number of Cross lads out injured.

GAA Ballintubber and Castlebar to clash in quarter finals

Fri, Jul 27, 2012

At Wednesday night’s draw, when Garrymore were pulled out of the bag to complete the third quarter-final pairing in the Treanlaur Catering Senior Football Championship, it was the confirmation that only one possible pairing could come out in the fourth game. Out came Ballintubber and they were swiftly followed by Castlebar Mitchels, pairing the sides who have met in the last two finals in quarter-final action this time. The chances of these sides meeting at this stage looked remote enough last week, with both sides top of the table in their respective groups and looking favourites to stay there and claim a top seed for the draw. But Castlebar Mitchels came a cropper to a rejuvenated Crossmolina Deel Rovers at home last Sunday and slipped into the second seeds pot for the quarter-final draw. The draw itself has also the mapped out the routes from here on into the finals in both the senior championship and the Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship.

Westport look to keep large lead, while chasing pack battle among themselves

Fri, Jul 27, 2012

League action kicks back into gear this weekend after a break for the cup last week across the Mayo leagues. Westport United sit 11 points clear at the top of the Super League at the moment and there looks to be no catching them over the final six games.

It is the action in the chasing pack that has the most excitement at the moment, only four points separates the five sides from second to sixth place in the table. You can even throw in Fahy Rovers who are second bottom at the moment, but are only three points off sixth place and seven points off second placed Iorras Aontaithe.

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