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Two weeks on from the pain of Croke Park, it's back to playing for the pride of the parish this weekend as the quarter-finals and relegation semi-finals of the Treanlaur Catering Senior Football Championships take place. MacHale Park in Castlebar will host two double headers of last eight action on Saturday and Sunday, with the entertainment getting under way with the meetings of Castlebar Mitchels and Ballina Stepehenites at 3.30pm and Charlestown and Garrymore at 5pm tomorrow. The first game is, on paper, probably the game of the weekend, with the two most successful sides in the history of the competition going toe-to-toe. Pat Holmes' Castlebar men go into the game as favourites after blitzing their way through the group stages, which included a comprehensive win over fellow last eight side Breaffy. Holmes' team have been knocking at the door of winning the Moclair Cup for the first time since the early 90s and this year could be their time. With Barry Moran, Tom Cunniffee (if he is fit after having gone off at half-time in the All Ireland final) and Richie Feeney back in situ, alongside the likes of Danny Kirby, Aidan Walsh, Neil Douglas, Alan Feeney, and Ciaran Naughton, Mitchels have the player power to over-run any team in the grade. Not that Ballina will be any pushovers. John Healy's side will have to do without inspirational goalkeeper David Clarke, who had not recovered enough to take any part in Mayo's All Ireland series campaign. Healy will be able to call on experienced players of the calibre of Ronan McGarrity, Pat Harte, Ger Cafferkey, and Eanna Casey; while Evan Regan could have a major impact up front if he gets going. This time last year Ballina were staring down the barrel of the relegation gun after a horrible season, but they have pulled themselves together this year and will not give up without a fight. But when all is said and done, Castlebar should just have too much for them.

Milltown-Castlemaine 1-13

It is a normally a once in a lifetime thing for most people, some get a second chance at it, but for the vast majority it is a one shot deal. Getting to an All Ireland Club final is the most special occasion for anyone involved in a club. It is the pure essence of what the GAA is about, the smallest unit of the organisation, making it all the way to the greatest stage that it possibly can. While the All Ireland senior club championships have been one of the highlights of the GAA calendar for decades now, the introduction of the All Ireland championship at junior and intermediate level has brought the ability to achieve the ultimate to every club in the country which has a rutted field, a run down club house, and puts out a team into championship action every year, against the odds of modern life, the depopulation of rural Ireland, and the mass youth emigration that is currently happening across the isle.

There’s no rest for the men in black and red from south Mayo as their impressive march through the intermediate ranks looks to continue on Saturday afternoon in Kiltoom. Last weekend it was Carrick-on-Shannon where they came out three point winners over the Leitrim champions Melvin Gaels in a hard fought provincial semi-final encounter. They are hitting the road again tomorrow to take on the Roscommon champions Padraig Pearses. Captain Michael Conroy was once again the go-to-man, scoring 1-7 of his sides total of 1-12. Conroy’s goal early in the game pushed his side into a five point lead early on which was vital in the outcome of the game, as Melvin Gaels pushed Davitts hard in the final third of the game. On Saturday, they will need to be on top form again to see off the challenge of the Roscommon champions. Pete Warren will be hoping that Conroy keeps up his good form along with the likes of Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara and Paul Carey who picked up an injury during last weekends game for tomorrows showdown.

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Davitts, a fortnight ago they hung on against Burrishoole to claim their first Mayo Intermediate title in 30 years in McHale Park. They managed to curb the celebrations enough last weekend to beat Kiltimagh by 1-16 to 1-7 to secure promotion to Division 1A of the senior football league for next season, and if Breaffy fail to beat Bohola Moy Davitts on Saturday night they can add the Division 1B championship to the top table for the dinner dance.

It was 30 years in the making but last Sunday evening shortly after 5pm, all the memories of those 30 years were put to bed when Michael Conroy climbed the steps of McHale Park and collected the Sweeney Cup in front of delighted team-mates, family, friends, and supporters from all over the Ballindine and Irishtown area.

Davitts 0-14

The colours may be from the opposite ends of the spectrum, but come Sunday afternoon in McHale Park the black of Davitts and the white of Burrishoole will collide for 60 minutes of all or nothing action.

Burrishoole started off this year as favourites following last year’s disappointment of losing out to Tourmakeady in the intermediate final. But they were given one hell of a scare by Hollymount-Carramore at the quarter final stage and needed two games to get over the south Mayo men. This Sunday they will not be taking anything for granted when they take on Ballyhaunis at the semi-final stage. Ballyhaunis have been impressive all throughout the championship seeing off fellow semi-finalists Parke in the group stages, along with Achill and Moy Davitts, before they had three points to spare over Belmullet in the last eight. However this is probably where the story will end for this season for Frank Browne’s men. Burrishoole picked themselves up and got back on track in their quarter final replay and they are still smarting from last year’s final defeat. Jason Doherty, Enda McManamon, Shane McDermott, and James Moran will be players that Colm Mac’ will be relying on having a big game on Sunday, and if they do the men from the east will find it very difficult to live with the McGovern Park side.

Tourmakeady v Ballyhaunis,