Mayo junior champions to begin Connacht adventure

It will be a meeting of Gaeltacht minds and hearts in Tuam on Saturday when An Cheathrú Rua host Cil Chomain in the semi-final of the Connacht Junior Championship. It promises to be a thriller from start to finish with both clubs well aware of the quality facing them.

The Galway champions have been playing great football all season and only last Sunday won their third final in little over a month. On October 3, they defeated Carna Caiseal 2-12 to 0-6 in the West Board final. On October 27, they emerged victorious from the Primary Junior County Final after extra time against Killerein and last Sunday they got the better of Salthill Knocknacarra in the Primary Junior play-off final which guarantees them intermediate football next season.

Those victories have signalled a revival in the club's fortunes and it was only two seasons ago that they were relegated from senior ranks, followed by demotion from the intermediate grade in 2023. Earlier this year, Maghnus Breathnach’s side regrouped with the aim of securing promotion back to intermediate level at the first attempt and have achieved that ambition.

WATCH: All the emotions from Cill Chomain celebrating junior championship

Therefore, Cill Chomain face a big challenge on Saturday. The Erris men have been in junior ranks for a number of seasons while An Cheathru Rua were rubbing shoulders with the elite senior teams in Galway football.

John Maloney and Nigel Reape will have Cill Chomain well tuned for this one and both sides would like nothing better than a run through Connacht which would certainly shorten the winter.

Cill Chomain will go into this one with the weight of expectation lifted from their shoulders. They have finally got their hands on their third Mayo crown after years of trying and if they play with expression and adventure they'll be a match for anyone.

Justin Healy's exploits have marked him out as one of the most in-form footballers in the county while the Erris men possess a powerful midfield diamond, an excellent goalkeeper and a defensive unit which coughs up very few chances.

After their county final victory the barony boys regrouped and will travel to Tuam full of confidence and ambition.

READ: Cill Chomáin players in their own words after junior final win

They're well accustomed to seeing An Cheathru Rua at the annual Comortas Peil festivals, but it will be the first time they'll encounter one another at this level of competition. It could be an intriguing battle and one to be savoured.