What to watch in Mayo sport? Five of the best games this weekend

The glorious weather may be disappearing this weekend, but one thing that certainly isn’t disappearing is the stacked Mayo sporting schedule.

With so much going on over the course of the weekend, we’ve tried to pick five of the most important games for people to pack up the picnics, put fuel in the tanks, and set off to around the county and beyond.

EDITORIAL: Room for improvement for Mayo

As always, if you can’t make it to the grounds, we’ll be there to cover all the action. You can find reports on all the twists and turns here, as well as comprehensive analysis of all the happenings in Tuesday’s Mayo News sports section.

NICKY RACKARD CUP ROUND ONE

Mayo v Roscommon

MacHale Park, Saturday at 3 pm

Mayo have been in flying form so far in 2025 and were rampant in the Division 3 Final, where they triumphed over London to bring the cup West.

However, the visit of Roscommon for the start of the Nicky Rackard cup represents a crucial juncture in their season with Championship fever coming to town.

Mayo put on a masterclass against the Rossies in Round 4 of league action, and should they be at the races, they’ll pass this test.

FAI JUNIOR CUP QUARTER-FINAL

Castlebar Celtic v Salthill Devon

Celtic Park, Sunday at 2 pm

At times, it felt like the saga between Celtic and Villa FC was never going to end. Now, as the process of appeal and counter-appeal seems to be over, this quarter-final can finally take place some two weeks after the semi-final on the other side of the draw.

Castlebar Celtic will need no introduction to a Mayo soccer audience, having swept aside all before them in recent seasons.

Salthill Devon may be coming into the back of this on the back of being knocked out of the Michael Byrne Cup by Galway Hibs, but they currently sit atop the Galway Premier League in a tussle for the title with Mervue United.

READ MORE: Mayo soccer club receive update on counter-appeal in FAI Junior Cup

BIDL PLATE FINAL

Merry Monk Ballina v Cavan Eagles

National Basketball Arena (Dublin), Saturday at 10 am

There’s no doubt about it: every single basketball player in Ireland sets off at the start of their season with the goal of making it to Finals Day.

Merry Monk will be opening the day on Irish basketball’s grandest stage as they take on the Cavan Eagles. The Eagles are no pony side, as evidenced by their win over the Mayo Meteors in the semi-finals.

A win for the brave Ballina side would mark a historic moment for the Mayo ballers and a return to the winning ways of old.

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ABBVIE MAYO SFL DIVISION 1B

Westport v Claremorris

Westport, Saturday at 7 pm

In a jam-packed weekend of League action, this fixture catches the eye for all the right reasons.

Claremorris are brimming with young talent and boast a plethora of underage county titles from recent years.

Now, these young guns are getting used to the wear and tear of senior club football, and they’ll have a great chance to test their mettle against the 2022 senior kingpins Westport. 

READ MORE: Action aplenty as Mayo club GAA leagues get underway

FAI YOUTH INTER-LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Mayo Youth League v Cork Youth League

Fairview Rangers (Limerick), Saturday at 3.30 pm

It’s a significant day for the young Mayo players, with a shot at national honours on the line as they make their way to Limerick to take on Cork.

Mayo’s bench made a massive difference in a dramatic and pulsating Buncrana clash to book their place in the national decider.

The side coming from the opposite end of the country represents a significant challenge, having bulldozed all in their path en- route to the final.

READ MORE: Mayo Youth League U-18s on cusp of national glory