PREDICTIONS: Our calls in the Mayo Senior Club Championship

The most exciting Mayo Senior Club Championship race for years takes another turn next weekend when the group stages draw to a close.

Here, Michael Gallagher previews what promises to be a hugely entertaining round of matches.

GROUP 1

BALLINA STEPHENITES V GARRYMORE

Sunday, September 7, 4 pm in Charlestown

ANYTHING less than victory will see the champions exit the championship. That seemed unthinkable after the Stephenites blasted past Ballyhaunis in the opening round, but defeat against Crossmolina has changed all that.

Meanwhile, Garrymore are still unbeaten, and if they share the spoils her,e they'll be headed for the last eight.

It will be an intriguing battle and one which will produce some top-class football. Garrymore are well-capable of winning, but the dream of doing three-in-a-row burns brightly in Ballina and they will be very hard beaten.

VERDICT – BALLINA STEPHENITES

CROSSMOLINA V BALLYHAUNIS

Sunday, September 7, 4 pm in Kiltimagh

Ballyhaunis love being written off. They have great faith in their own ability and almost turned over Garrymore last time out. The border boys will throw everything at this one, but Crossmolina are surfing the wave right now. Their performance against Ballina in the last round verged on the excellent, and another win will guarantee a home quarter-final.

If both teams play at the top of their game, the Deel men are good enough to win, but if they fail to hit the high spots, Ballyhaunis will be waiting to pounce.

VERDICT - CROSSMOLINA

GROUP 2

AGHAMORE V CASTLEBAR MITCHELS

Saturday, September 6, 5.30 pm in Claremorris

Victory here may not be enough to secure a place in the quarter-final, but that won't have any impact on the competitiveness of this encounter. Both sides need to win and hope that Belmullet do the business in Ballina.

Neither team has played to their potential in this campaign yet, but they have to locate their rhythm quickly to have any chance of progressing. Aghamore were without Liam Lavin last time out. If he's back, it will be a huge boost for them.

However, Castlebar have a lot of room for improvement, and if their attack finally clicks, they'll take beating.

VERDICT – CASTLEBAR MITCHELS

BELMULLET V BREAFFY

Saturday, September 6, 5.30 pm in Ballina

Belmullet are already through but will want to win this one and secure a home quarter-final. Breaffy need to win to stay in the championship, and if they emerge victorious, they'll top the group ahead of the Erris men.

Ryan O'Donoghue, Seamus Howard, Fionn O'Donoghue, and their Belmullet colleagues have been among the most impressive performers in the championship and will test Breaffy to the limit. Meanwhile, Aidan O'Shea, Conor Beirne, Pierce Deane and Breaffy have shown a hugely resilient streak to earn two draws. Now, they need to go one better against the Erris men.

There will be nothing between them all evening.

VERDICT – DRAW

GROUP 3

BALLAGHADERREEN V BALLINTUBBER

Saturday, September 6, 8 pm in Garrymore

These two are already through but will fight it out to top the group and earn a home quarter-final.

Both sides are capable of going all the way and claiming the Moclair Cup, so this could be one of the best games of the weekend.

Kuba Callaghan has been shooting the lights out for the well-balanced East Mayo men and will look to continue that form here. At the other end, Stephen O'Malley, Cillian O'Connor, Ciaran Gavin, and their colleagues have the ammunition to beat anyone.

This clash will test the mettle of everyone and could go either way.

VERDICT – BALLINTUBBER

CHARLESTOWN V CLAREMORRIS

Saturday, September 6, 8 pm in Bekan

It's simple. Winner survives and loser heads for the relegation play-off. This is a death-match of epic proportions and could go either way. Claremorris have a highly talented team and promise much but have yet to deliver. They'll be disappointed to find themselves in this position, and will have to fight for everything now.

Charlestown pushed Ballintubber and Ballaghaderreen all the way, but are still pointless. The men in green will fight to the death to win this one. Will Claremorris do likewise?

VERDICT – CHARLESTOWN

GROUP 4

BALLA V WESTPORT

Sunday, September 7, 1 pm in Castlebar

This will be closer than many people expect. Balla have put it up to Westport in recent years and will fancy their chances of getting the win here. If the men from Nally Park emerge victorious, they'll qualify for the last eight and knock out the boys in blue.

Westport were impressive last time out against Knockmore, which was a major improvement on their first round clash with Mayo Gaels. If they continue the upward curve, they'll be hard beaten.

Balla were excellent against the Gaels two weeks ago. If they produce their best, they could do it.

VERDICT – WESTPORT

KNOCKMORE V MAYO GAELS

Sunday, September 7, 1 pm in Parke

Two sides moving in different directions meet in this one. Knockmore are headed for the last eight and would love to secure a home quarter-final. Mayo Gaels are hoping to avoid a relegation dog-fight. They showed flashes of style against Westport but were blitzed by Balla.

They'll face an even bigger challenge on Sunday against one of the championship favourites. Knockmore should win this one if they produce anything resembling their best. The Gaels will give it everything, but victory may be beyond them.

VERDICT – KNOCKMORE