PREDICTIONS: Mayo Senior Championship ties analysed and tipped

After a thrilling opening round of the Mayo Senior Club Championship, it's now time for the contenders to step forward and the pretenders to fade away.

The chase for the Moclair Cup will take on a whole new complexion after this enthralling round of games.

BALLYHAUNIS V GARRYMORE

Friday, August 22 at 7 pm

This should be a handy win for the visitors given the display of the two teams in their opening round games.

Garrymore drew with Crossmolina in a thriller while Ballyhaunis were well beaten in Ballina. However, Ballyhaunis love being written off and have enjoyed proving people wrong over the years.

That said, Garrymore will take nothing for granted and will tear into action from the start. New boy, Andy Glennon, made a big impression when coming off the bench in the opening round. He may get a starting spot on Friday evening. Expect the men in red to emerge victorious but Jack Coyne and Eamonn Philips will have something to say about it before it's over.

VERDICT: GARRYMORE

CROSSMOLINA V BALLINA STEPHENITES

Sunday, August 24 at 3.30 pm

North Mayo has been waiting for this since the draw was made. St Tiernan's Park will be throbbing when these neighbours come to play. Ballina are the champions, the experienced heads; Crossmolina are the young pretenders, the new arrivals.

It promises to be a thriller. Ballina were stunning in the opening round against Ballyhaunis, but this will be a different challenge. Cross' have been waiting for days like this for years and will throw everything at the champions.

Jordan Flynn, James Maheady and Conor Loftus will lead the home charge, but they'll have it all to do when Evan Regan, Padraig O'Hora and Frank Irwin come in the road.

VERDICT: BALLINA STEPHENITES

BREAFFY V CASTLEBAR MITCHELS

Friday, August 22 at 7 pm

This will separate the pretenders from the contenders. In essence this is a knock-out tie with the loser headed for the exit door. Sean Deane and Kevin Filan will field stronger sides than they did on day-one with Mitchels in particular calling in reinforcements.

Matthew Ruane is not expected to start for Breaffy as he recovers from injury and if Donnacha McHugh and John MacMonagle are back on the pitch for Mitchels it may tilt the scales towards the visitors.

However, this is Breaffy's Everest. This is their moment to step into the light and answer the critics. If they're good enough they'll win it, if they're not Mitchels will be back in the running to win the whole thing.

VERDICT: DRAW

BELMULLET V AGHAMORE

Sunday, August 24 at 3.30 pm

An intriguing battle awaits in Tallagh. Both sides impressed in the opening round, but who will back that up on Sunday?

Aghamore will come to Erris with a solid, seasoned team decorated with the forward power of Liam Lavin, Fergal Boland and Tom O'Flaherty. That said, the guests will come up against a team with one of the best forwards in the land. Ryan O'Donoghue shot the lights out against Castlebar two weeks ago, but he's not the only shining light in Kieran Lavelle's team.

Fionn O'Donoghue is impressing at full-forward, Eoin O'Donoghue is leading the defensive unit and Fionan Ryan is a powerhouse in the middle. This will test Aghamore to the limit and how they respond will be telling. This could go to the wire.

VERDICT: BELMULLET

CLAREMORRIS V BALLINTUBBER

Saturday, August 23 at 6.30 pm

There's nowhere to hide. If Claremorris are going to make an impression in this year's championship, it has to be now.

Ballintubber are solid, seasoned and secure in the knowledge that they have some of the finest footballers in the county in their ranks. Cillian O'Connor, Diarmuid O'Connor and Stephen O'Malley have the ability to create havoc for any opposition.

However, Claremorris are equally stacked. Teenage forwards Darragh Beirne and Hurley twins were name-checked by Mayo manager Andy Moran this week, while goalkeeper Darragh Fallon, Paul Gilmore and Darragh Joyce are top operators.
This match will test Claremorris to the limit. At the final whistle we'll know whether they're the real deal or not.

VERDICT: CLAREMORRIS

CHARLESTOWN V BALLAGHADERREEN

Sunday, August 23, at 3.30 pm

There will be no love lost in this meeting of eastern neighbours. Over the years they have produced memorable championship battles and there's a great sense of intrigue about this one. Charlestown came within a kick of a ball of getting something from their opening round in Ballintubber while Ballagh' dispatched Claremorris.

Therefore, the reward for winning this one is great. The home side have to win and the guests would love to win. It has all the makings of a memorable meeting.

Paul Towey and Kuba Callaghan are the leaders of the respective attacks and they will surely be central figures again. However, the match will be decided by the players around them and Ballagh' may just have enough strength in depth to win this one.

VERDICT: BALLAGHADERREEN

MAYO GAELS V BALLA

Saturday, August 23 at 7 pm

Nothing will be spared here. Whoever loses this local derby can kiss their season goodbye, while the winners will go into the final round with their fate in their own hands.

If Adam Gallagher is fit it will be a huge boost to the Gaels. He went off injured against Westport on the opening day and was missed despite the best efforts of John Gallagher, Ethan Henry, John Finn and their colleagues.

Balla were disappointing against Knockmore, but will be well-primed for this one. Gary McHale, Ger Flanagan, Oisin Cronin and the men in maroon will bounce in the road and if the ball falls their way in Abbey Park, they'll leave again with victory in their cargo.

VERDICT: BALLA

KNOCKMORE V WESTPORT

Sunday, August 24 at 1 pm

The home side should seal a place in the quarter-finals here. It's hard to see Knockmore being beaten by a Westport team who took time to catch fire in the opening round. It took the men in blue all their time to dispatch Mayo Gaels in St Patrick's Park, while Knockmore were powering past Balla over the road.

Knockmore are rich in talent and awash with a winning mentality. They have a squad of solid, seasoned operators and a sprinkling of youth well capable of beating anyone who crosses their path. Westport should have all the same attributes, but they've yet to find their form and will need to be at their best for this one.

Victory will leave Ray Dempsey's team on the edge of a place in the knock-out stages and that's what should occur.

VERDICT: KNOCKMORE