Who will answer the bell in round two?

After a thrilling start to the Mayo GAA club championship a lot of questions will be answered when the teams step out for their second dance with destiny this weekend. We shall now cast an eye over the eight games which will enthral and entertain in football pitches all across the county:

GROUP 1
Big day by the bay

KILMEENA V AGHAMORE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 4.15PM

They've waited many lifetimes for this one, and on Saturday evening, senior football will finally arrive in Kilmeena. The men from St Brendan’s Park will revel in the excitement and the tension a home championship match brings and take heart from their relatively good showing against Breaffy in the previous round.
They need to fix some cracks at the back, but if the attack clicks they could win it. 
Aghamore should have beaten Ballintubber on opening day and will only improve after that showing. Liam Lavin was excellent in attack. Brendan Harrison was majestic at the back and their team-play was a joy to behold at times. Victory on their travels will put them on the cusp of a quarter-final, but they’ll be pushed to the inth-degree by the ravenous home side.
VERDICT: KILMEENA

BALLINTUBBER V BREAFFY
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2.30PM

A few months ago this was a nailed-down win for the home side. This week it looks more like a 50/50 split. Breaffy have found some equilibrium after the arrival of Sean Deane as manager, while Ballintubber have been hit by injuries and absences.
Cillian O’Connor is still suspended for this one after two red cards last year while Finian Bourke and Myles Kelly are among those in sick-bay. Diarmuid O’Connor is nursing a hand-injury, but will surely be required.
Of course, Breaffy have Aidan O’Shea in their attack, while the have big, powerful men around the middle in the guise of Niall Carter, Robbie Fadden and Matthew Ruane. In attack, Davitt Neary and Pierce Deane will pose the home side problems. It’s impossible to call a winner. 
VERDICT: DRAW

GROUP 2
No shocks expected 

BALLINA STEPHENITES V BALLA
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 6.30PM

Both of these were impressive on opening day, but Ballina won and Balla lost, so similar results here will send the Stephenites into the last eight and consign Balla to a relegation-escape mission. The men in maroon almost produced the shock of the decade when pushing Westport all the way last time out and will bounce onto James Stephens Park on Saturday.
Ballina were missing Padraig O’Hora and Dylan Thornton in the first round, but that had no impact on their performance. The reigning champions kicked 20 points and rarely seemed to break sweat. Mikey Murray was outstanding in midfield and they should have enough to win this one and slip into the last eight.
VERDICT: BALLINA 

WESTPORT V MAYO GAELS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 6.30PM

It will be hard to find anyone predicting anything other than a handy Westport win when these two meet. The Clew Bay men were the hottest of favourites last time out too, but Balla pushed them all the way. That might have been the wake-up-call the former champions required and they’ll be chomping at the bit on Saturday evening.
A number of Mayo Gaels players were away for the summer and had only arrived back shortly before the opening round match with Ballina. They’ll be back in the groove for this one and Paul McGarry has a team packed with talented, productive footballers. However, whether they’ll have enough to get past the boys in blue on this occasion is doubtful.  
VERDICT: WESTPORT

GROUP 3
Two thrillers expected

KNOCKMORE V CLAREMORRIS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 6.30PM

Who would have thought it? Claremorris have had a pep in their step all week, while Knockmore have had their heads down, working feverishly since their opening round results. The home side need to win this to stay in the race for Paddy Moclair and nothing less will be accepted in St Joseph’s Park, but Claremorris are young, vibrant and when they play with the hand-brake off they’re capable of great things.
Knockmore are old hands when it comes to situations like this. The boys from The Backs thrive in the tension and thin-air of championship. They’re expected to grab the lifeboat here and rescue their championship season.
However, Claremorris couldn’t care less. They’re a young squad, building towards the future and will see this as another stepping-stone along that journey.
VERDICT: KNOCKMORE

BELMULLET V BALLAGH’
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 3PM

There was huge disappointment in the Erris capital after Belmullet were beaten by Claremorris in the first round. They might have been without Ryan O’Donoghue, but they still came within a kick of a ball of victory, even after the dismissal of Eoin O’Donoghue.
Whether Ryan O’Donoghue is fit to play on Sunday remains to be seen after picking up a niggle in Chicago, but he’ll do everything humanly possible to be ready.
Ballagh’ will arrive by the Atlantic full of confidence after beating Knockmore last time out. Kuba Callaghan will be hoping to boost his growing reputation while the impressive half-back-line of Sharoize Akram, David McBrien and Cian Hanley will provide the launch-pad for eastern attacking forays.
It could be a thriller.
VERDICT: BELMULLET

GROUP 4
Big questions to be answered

GARRYMORE V CASTLEBAR MITCHELS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 8PM

This has the potential to be the game of the weekend. If Garrymore win they’ll be almost guaranteed a quarter-final spot for the umpteenth year in succession. However, that will be easier said than done. Mitchels are a wounded animal and if they’re going to have a say in this year’s championship they must win this one.
They were very poor in the league final against Westport. They were poor in the opening round of the championship against Charlestown. If they’re poor again on Saturday they can get the slippers out and contemplate the winter.
Garrymore have fine footballers all over the pitch and will embrace this match with great delight, but Mitchels need to win and with that in mind, it’s hard to look past them.
VERDICT: CASTLEBAR MITCHELS

CHARLESTOWN V BALLYHAUNIS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 3PM

Charlestown didn’t know whether to be happy or sad leaving Castlebar after their opening round draw with the home side. They could have won it, might have lost it, but when the dust settled Stephen Healy was smart enough to know that his team had made a statement. However, it will be all for nothing if they don’t back it up with victory on Sunday. All eyes will be on Paul Towey, but the Sarsfields are far from a one-man team and Healy will be emphasising that all week.
Ballyhaunis need to win. They weren’t given a chance against Garrymore but pushed their guests for long periods after starting poorly. The men in red and black will relish the short trip to Charlestown and will leave every ounce of energy on O’Hara Park.
VERDICT: CHARLESTOWN

READ: This weekend's club championship fixtures

READ: Senior team of the week - Round 1