So it’s the Dubs for us

Fri, Sep 06, 2013

And then there were two. Dublin qualified for a place against Mayo in the All-Ireland final after an epic battle with Kerry in arguably one of the best games of all times. As a neutral watching my heart missed the odd beat such was the excitement and tension, I can only imagine what it must have been like for supporters of both teams. You have to give Dublin credit for the way they came back after conceding some real sucker punch goals, and as I have always stated you need the odd decision or bounce of a ball to go your way to be successful. In my opinion this game hinged on three defining moments. First of all the placing of Cian O’Sullivan on Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper after half time. Cooper had run Ger Brennan ragged in the first half with a superb display, he was like a quarter-back orchestrating his team, he was simply untouchable, with O’Sullivan’s superior pace he was not nearly as effective in the second half. Secondly and most importantly the failure of referee Cormac Reilly to issue Johnny Cooper a second yellow card after a deliberate trip on namesake Colm, he would have definitely received a yellow had he not had one to his name already. Surely Dublin would not have survived with 14 men in a game of that intensity. Last, by no means least, after Declan O’Sullivan missed a glorious chance to put Kerry ahead in the 68th minute, David Moran and Marc Ó Sé challenged each other from the resulting kick out, Michael Darragh McCauley pounced on the loose ball to free Kevin McMenamin whose tame effort at a point went over Brendan Kiely’s head and into the back of the net. Game over. It truly was an immense game with some brilliant goals scored and some phenomenal build up play. It gives James Horan and co plenty to think about.

Horan not ruling out O’Connor from the final

Fri, Sep 06, 2013

The countdown is on and Mayo’s medical team and Cillian O’Connor are doing all they can to try to get the Ballintubber ace in shape for Sunday fortnight’s showdown with Dublin. James Horan’s honest appraisal of O’Connor’s chances of making the final this week, was that he just did not know. “I don’t know is the answer. He’s with the medical team. He’s rehabbed very well, working with the physios a couple of times a day, we’re just looking to see is he a competitive option for selection. So far so good.”

Minor hurlers go for glory in All Ireland final

Fri, Sep 06, 2013

The Mayo minor hurlers will line out in the final of the All Ireland Minor C Hurling Championship hoping to repeat their football counterparts’ recent victory over The Farney County. Mayo will face off against the Ulster men in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, at 2pm, tomorrow, September 7.

Kilmaine and Kiltane set up 'Special K' intermediate final

Sun, Sep 01, 2013

Kilmaine booked their place in the Mayo intermediate championship final pulling up on Sunday evening in McHale Park. The south Mayo men ran out seven point winners against Parke, with their opponents failing to register a single score in the second half. Kilmaine's centre half forward Joey Maloney was the main man on show kicking eight of his sides half a dozen scores. Seven of those points were from frees, with sub Joe Cooper putting his hand up for a starting spot in the final with a two point cameo off the bench in the second half.

Final four showdowns this weekend

Fri, Aug 30, 2013

It is back to the cut and thrust of championship football for the final four sides in both the intermediate and junior championship this weekend. The action gets under way on Saturday evening with a junior championship double header in Mayo GAA headquarters, and Ardnaree and Lahardane meeting in the first semi-final at 5pm, with Cill Chomain and Louisburgh meeting in the second game at 6.30pm.

Conlon storms to victory in round four, but Deane takes the title

Fri, Aug 30, 2013

Michael Conlon in his buggy took his maiden victory at round four of the Mayo and District Motorsport Club’s Loose Surface Autocross at Harrington’s Quarry near Swinford. In a tight battle he finished just over a second ahead of Derry man James Cassidy in his similar buggy, with Ronan Mackle from Down rounding off a buggy filled podium in third. Despite not being able to participate due to family commitments however, it was Derek Deane from Williamstown in his JB Buggy who had done enough in the earlier rounds to take the title for 2013. Deane won the first three rounds to see him win the coveted championship, as the best three rounds from the four events of the year count towards the final points tally.

Mayo sides face into new season

Fri, Aug 30, 2013

Three Mayo sides kick off their seasons in Division 1A of the Connacht junior league this weekend. Last year’s runners up Ballina look to be the pick of the trio of the Mayo sides, with Westport looking who finished third in the league will also be looking to improve on their form which saw them chasing the top two after a poor start. Meanwhile Castlebar are preparing to step back into the top flight of junior rugby in the province after a year in Division 1B.

Benson wins Mayo Cycling League 2013

Fri, Aug 30, 2013

Castlebar CC’s Karl Benson added the Mayo cycling league to his list of wins, the young sprinter won three of the nine rounds, beating some experienced seniors on the way, the league itself was a real hot bed for recruiting talent with quite a few new finds. The hill climb win by Con Doherty (Westport) on the last round with Cale Coen (Castlebar) second and fourth placed Sean Flynn (Westport) in the same event highlight the talent coming through the ranks.

Charlestown 10k takes to the roads next week

Fri, Aug 30, 2013

The Charlestown 10k will be the fourth race in Mayo AC C&C Cellular 2013 Road League. It takes place at 5pm on Saturday September 7 and will be the first big race of the month in the west. Charlestown is an excellent location on the N5/N17 and easily accessible from all points in the province. The organisers are hoping for a big turnout and their local hero David Tiernan, who runs with Mayo AC, will be heading the challenge. All are welcome to join and run, jog, or walk.

Soccer: Mayo League Ballina and Ballyheane meet, while Westport look to close the gap

Fri, Aug 30, 2013

Defending Super League champions Westport United’s attempts to keep in touch at the top of the Super League table with Ballina Town suffered a serious blow last weekend, when Castlebar Celtic turned them over in Celtic Park. The Hoops’ 3-2 win combined with Ballina Town’s 8-1 win over Manulla in the last round of games, has left Ballina Town seven points clear of both Westport United and Ballyheane with six rounds left to go.