Part Two: The march towards Moclair

As the race for the Moclair Cup begins, Michael Gallagher, Head of Sport at The Mayo News, throws his eye over the eight first-round matches down for decision:

GROUP 3: Missing men and making memories

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 3PM

CLAREMORRIS V BELMULLET

This is one of the most intriguing matches of the round. Belmullet will be without Ryan O’Donoghue who’s in Chicago, but will be driven by top class players such as Eoin O’Donoghue, Shane Nallen, Leo Howard, Anthony Barrett and Seamus Howard. Claremorris will also be without forward power in the form of absent duo Conor Diskin and James McCormack and will field a squad with up to ten U-20s led by Paul Gilmore, Niall Hurley, Rio Mortimer, David Slattery and Darragh Beirne. More experienced men such as Matthew Mackin and Stephen McGreal will do everything in their power to secure victory.

VERDICT: BELMULLET 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18. 12PM

BALLAGHADERREEN V KNOCKMORE

These two have produced memorable moments in the past and another thriller could be in store. Both have been stronger previously, but that matters little. 

Knockmore finished second in Division 1A of the league while Ballagh’ were mid-table in Division 2B and if that form continues then the North Mayo men should win, but football rarely follows straight lines. 

Hugely talented duo Aiden Orme and Caolan Hopkins will lead the saffron and blue attack. However, David Drake and Kuba Callaghan have been excellent up front for Ballagh’ all season and David McBrien loves championship, so the border boys will take a bit of beating.

VERDICT: KNOCKMORE

GROUP 4: Taking nothing for granted

CASTLEBAR MITCHELS V CHARLESTOWN

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 5PM

Prior to the league final Castlebar had been playing excellent football. If that dismal display was a one-off then they’ll be back to their best for this clash with the men from the east.

The Mitchels were missing Donnacha McHugh, Sean Morahan and John MacMonagle for the league decider, but expect two of them at least, to be back this weekend.

Charlestown made it to the quarter-finals last year and will be looking to at least repeat that again. They have the talent and the team-spirit required to make a championship impact and will fancy their chances of earning a big scalp on Saturday afternoon. Don’t rule them out.

VERDICT: CASTLEBAR MITCHELS

BALLYHAUNIS V GARRYMORE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 7PM

Garrymore seem to have patented the formula for reaching the play-offs and will settle for nothing less this season. Whether they have the fire-power to bring Paddy Moclair home remains to be seen, but that’s a story for another day.

Ballyhaunis were relegated from Division 1 and the smart money says they’ll struggle to retain their place in the senior championship, but the men from the eastern border love big days when they’re utter underdogs. That’s certainly the situation they find themselves in this week. Garrymore are favourites and should win.

VERDICT: GARRYMORE