The toughest race of them all: Preview of Mayo Intermediate Football Championship Round 1

To quote the great Arnold Palmer “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting it is.” There’s nothing guaranteed in sport and there is definitely nothing concrete in this year’s Mayo Intermediate Championship. However there can only be one winner at the end of the day and whoever is to claim the Sweeney Cup, will have earned it the hard way. What a spectacle awaits!

GROUP 1: Northern derby and mysterious Mitchels

LAHARDANE V ARDNAREE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 7PM

A tough one to call! Ardnaree will be slight favourites, but in the home of the 2023 Mayo Junior champions, this can be a tight affair. With Liam McHale added to the Ardnaree management team in recent weeks, the men in green and gold can outmuscle Eddie Conroy’s men. With their minors competing in the top tier, the Sarsfields seem to have a talented crop at their disposal. The hosts have Shane Finnerty up top for them and as he shot the lights out last season, he’ll be one to watch. The visitors can take the points.

VERDICT: ARDNAREE

BALLINROBE V CASTLEBAR MITCHELS B

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 12.30PM

One of the favourites against one of the dark horses. Ballinrobe have been knocking on the door for a few years now, whilst Castlebar B are a complete unknown. An experienced management team is in place by the Robe with legendary Galway defender Kieran Fitzgerald among it, they will fancy their chances this year. A lot will depend on who plays for Mitchels, but they will be sure to rock up with a mix of experience and youth. Ballinrobe have been hit with injuries but with Kevin Quinn and the Duffy brothers in their arsenal, they should have enough for a mysterious Castlebar B side.

VERDICT: BALLINROBE

GROUP 2: Clew Bay classic and Erris cauldron

KILMEENA V BURRISHOOLE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 7.15PM

THEY’LL be coming from all over for this local derby. Many of the men on the pitch might have gone to school together but there'll be no love lost during this exciting encounter when two proud footballing clubs lock horns. Kilmeena relegated from senior will have plenty to prove under the fresh management team led by Damien Egan. The visitors from down the road will relish this but injuries have disrupted Liam O’Malley’s side. However, their main man Adam Reihill will surely trouble Kilmeena. County man Jack Carney is so important for the All Ireland kingpins of 2022 but without players through immigration, injury and a suspension, youngsters such as Liam Moore and Jack Mulcrone will be crucial for Kilmeena in this West Mayo battle. Expect fireworks. 

VERDICT: KILMEENA

CILL CHOMAIN V THE NEALE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2PM

Promoted from junior last year the home side come up against a side relegated from senior two years ago. The Neale should win this but winning a championship match in Erris isn’t easy. Cill Chomain’s star man Justin Healy will need his shooting boots as Tom Lydon and Tommy Conroy will be strutting their stuff at the other end. Nigel Reape’s side will need a big score here as the deadly duo from The Neale will be sure to have an impact on the scoreboard. The visitors hould have enough here but you never know, it's always tough to win in Glenamoy.

VERDICT: THE NEALE

POLL: Who will win the Mayo GAA Intermediate Club Championship?

GROUP 3: Contenders ready to rock

ISLANDEADY V DAVITTS 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 7PM

It’s Friday night lights in West Mayo and this encounter should prove to be entertaining when one of the main contenders, Davitts, go up against a struggling Islandeady side. The men from the border are always tough to beat and with the likes of Colm Boyle, Jack Melvin and Dylan Gallagher, the visitors can claim the spoils. The hosts have been struggling all season as they finished their league campaign winless in Division 2A. It could be a tough championship campaign for the West Mayo men.

VERDICT: DAVITTS

PARKE V KILTANE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 12.30PM

Both are well seasoned campaigners but can either side challenge for the Sweeney Cup? Parke have the ideal age profile and with the likes of exciting forwards such as Evan Walsh, Darragh Reilly, and Cathal Keaveney in their ranks, the black and amber stripes could be tough to stop. Kiltane on the other hand are usually difficult to beat in championship, with this year’s Mayo U-20 attacker Josh Carey to the fore for the Erris men. Kiltane came out on top last season but this time could be different.

VERDICT: PARKE

GROUP 4: Close encounter awaits

LOUISBURGH V HOLLYMOUNT CARRAMORE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 5PM

Stephen and Darren Coen will be making their way to Clew Bay when they go up against a tough Louisburgh side. Former Mayo underage players Dylan Prendergast, Basil McLeod, Alfie Morrison and Martin Ball are important players for the men from ‘God’s pocket’. Containing Prendergast will more than likely be Stephen Coen’s job but he’ll have his hands full while up the other end Darren Coen will be a handful for the hosts. A tight game is expected. 

VERDICT: LOUISBURGH

MOY DAVITTS V KILMAINE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 3.30PM

Last year’s finalists are back, and they have a new manager with Paul McGarry at the helm.  The home side will hope to go one better this year and will have Ronan Clarke, Brian Heneghan and Brian Reape in attack. Throw in Cian McHale and Conor Reid into the mix and they can punish any team. Kilmaine have failed to have a say in the business end of the Championship in recent seasons but with Adam Barrett and this year’s outstanding Mayo U-20 Hugh O’Loughlin, they can mix it. However Reape and Clarke can lead the way for the home side.

VERDICT: MOY DAVITTS

VOTE: Who will win the Mayo GAA Junior Football Championship?