A day of draws as league gets off to a great start

The sun shone to welcome the start of the GAA season in earnest over the weekend as league matches brought crowds flocking to the well-maintained venues across the county.

There were high-scoring and very close games across al divisions with Divisions 1A and 1B particularly exciting.

In Parke, Ethan Gibbons and James Durcan caught the eye for Castlebar Mitchels while Parke's young guns, Dara Neary and  Colm Lynch looked lively. Belmullet sit top of Division 1A after the opening round thanks to their big win over Ballyhaunis. Seamus Howard, Evan Ivers, Padraic Cowman and Fionnán Ryan all goaled for the Erris men while Conor Keane and Adrian Sloyan caught the eye for the East Mayo side.

Ballinrobe and Knockmore played out a draw in South Mayo. Shane McHale and Connell Dempsey were impressive for the guests and Aiden Orme was the hero when he converted a late penalty to secure a draw for the former county champions. Ewan Duffy was busy for the home side and his second half goal had left Ballinrobe in front until Orme's late strike.

Another draw was played out between Charlestown and Davitts when a late Paddy Linehan goal rescued a point for the men in green. It was Linehan's second goal of the day and it was urgently required given the impressive showing of Davitts who had Niall Treacy in great form. Treacy lashed home two goals in the second half as the men in black hit the front before being hauled back.

A share of the spoils was also the result in Breaffy when Ballina Stephenites came calling. Evan Regan was in stunning form for the guests with scoretaking of the highest order, while an excellent display from sharpshooter Pierce Deane and Conor O'Shea kept the home side happy.

Ballintubber nudged out Kilmeena by a point by Clew Bay thanks to a stunning kicking exhibition from full-forward Stephen O'Malley. Caolach Halligan was best for the home side.

Claremorris enjoyed their trip to Erris with victory over Kiltane in a very entertaining encounter. James Shaughnessy was the leading light for the winners while Mikie Sweeney impressed for the hosts.

_{Brian Reape unleashes a shot for Moy Davitts (Pic: Annette Clarke)}

Garrymore easily accounted for Aghamore who were without their Mayo hurling contingent. Shane Nally, Darren Quinn and Trevor Nally were to the fore for the winners. Mayo Gaels held off a quickly-closing Moy Davitts outfit in Mayo Abbey on Sunday. Brian Reape's early goal got the visitors off to a great start but James Jennings, Jack Fallon and the home side powered back to deservedly win.