Mayo GAA: League restructuring sets up exciting weekend

AS GAA clubs across Mayo prepare for the final round of league matches this weekend the shape of next year's divisions are taking shape.

It was decided earlier this year to restructure the leagues in 2026 and this leaves some very intriguing questions to be answered next weekend.

The 2026 leagues will look very different from the ones being played out this weekend.

Division 1 in 2026 will be made up of ten teams and these will be the top five from Division 1A and 1B at the end of Saturday night's matches.

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The top team from Division 1A and their counterpart from 1B will play off for the league title on the weekend of July 19/20.

At the end of play on Saturday, the bottom team in Division 1A and the bottom team in Division 1B will be relegated to Division 3.

Next season's Division 2 will consist of the teams finishing from sixth to ninth in this year's Division 1A and Division 1B as well as this season's top team in Division 2A and 2B.

These two teams will play one another in the Division 2 final on July 19/20.

The same process continues down through the divisions in order to have ten-team leagues from 2026 onwards.

Almost all matters won't be sorted out until the final whistles blow this weekend. In Division 1A, Breaffy will contest the league final if they beat Belmullet but the Erris men need to win in order to be sure of top tier football next season.

If Belmullet win in Tallagh, Castlebar Mitchels or Ballina Stephenites can finish top. Knockmore also need to win to safely book their ticket to the top table for 2026.

Davitts, who have been playing great football this season, are currently in sixth place but will be ready to pounce if either Knockmore or Belmullet fail to win.

At the other end, Charlestown host Ardnaree knowing that a win will take them off the foot of the table where they will be replaced by the Moysiders.

Whoever finishes bottom drops all the way to Division 3 and that's not a fall either team will relish.

In Division 1B, Crossmolina and Claremorris clash and there's a lot on the line. If Cross' draw or win they'll be headed for the league final, but if Claremorris beat them the men in blue will be on the way to the decider.

Garrymore are next on ten points but there's four teams chomping at their heels to stay in Division 1.

Ballintubber, Balla and Mayo Gaels all sit on nine points while Westport are just behind them on eight.

It promises to be a real dog-fight before it's decided which teams remain in Division 1 for the 2026 season.

At the bottom, Burrishoole and Hollymount Carramore sit on three points apiece with both hoping to avoid the drop to Division 3.

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