ROUNDUP: Mayo LGFA Intermediate Championship thrills crowds

The battle to book the ticket to senior football took its first tantalising steps over the weekend among the biblical downpours as the Mayo Ladies Intermediate Championship threw in around the county.

Bucketloads of excitement was the resounding theme around the grounds as supporters donned their parkas and rainjackets to row in behind their sides, and they were treated to some astounding fare.

Here, we’ll bring you up to speed with the runners and riders from both groups, and how they fared on Matchday One.

GROUP A

Claremorris 3-14 Louisburgh 0-7

Claremorris, roundly regarded as one of the favourites to have a crack at the title, were aiming to get off on the right note when they welcomed Louisburgh, and that they did.

They didn’t have things all their own way, though.

The Black and Amber made life difficult for the Division Two League finalists, and come the changing of ends only a solitary score was separating the sides as the scoreboard read Claremorris 1-4 Louisburgh 0-6.

Johnny Cummins’ girls moved through the gears in the second half and were rock-solid at the back, restricting the visitors to a solitary point for the rest of the game.

At the other end, they really upped the ante and rattled Roisín Dyar’s net twice more as they made life difficult for Mark Wade’s troops.

In the end, 16 points was the margin, and Claremorris will take plenty of confidence from this one as they head up the N17 to take on Aghamore. For Louisburgh, they’ll need to react quickly as Kilmoremoy travel to the verge of the Atlantic next Sunday.

Kilmoremoy 0-5 Aghamore 0-15

The wind played a telling part in this one, as Aghamore and Kilmoremoy locked horns in an intriguing affair in North Mayo.

The hosts made every effort to make the most of the mammoth breeze which was on their backs in the first half, and gave Aghamore the task of reeling in a two-point deficit at the break with the home side leading 0-5 to 0-3.

With wind advantage, Keith Cassidy’s women set about fervently putting paid to any notions Kilmoremoy had of escaping this one.

The two Mooneys (Siobhan and Niamh), along with Aoife Lily, were on fire as they contributed ten of Aghamore’s twelve second-half scores.

By the end, the margin was comfortable for Aghamore, who can look forward to the visit of Claremorris next in a clash which could decide who tops the group.

GROUP B

Davitts 0-9 Ballyhaunis 4-11

The women from Ballyhaunis made the short trip to Ballindine on Sunday morning for a game played in what felt like a hurricane.

Davitts were aiming to get off to a strong start on their home patch, but that wasn’t what transpired.

They were without some talented ballers in Aine Mangan and Lianne Daly, but ultimately their defence, marshalled by captain and inter-county star Éilis Ronayne, was unable to withstand the attacking excellence of Ballyhaunis.

Niamh Corless was thrice unable to repel net-shakers, and come the changeover, the gap stood at 15 points.

There was an uptick in form in the second period, but in truth, the final stages had more of an academic feel about them than anything else as the guests racked up an impressive win.

Ballyhaunis will be hoping to carry their form into a mouth-watering clash with Moy Davitts, while Davitts will look to get their campaign back on track when they travel to MacHale Rovers.

MacHale Rovers 2-9 Moy Davitts 0-11

This clash of talented teams ended with the Lahardane-Crossmolina-Ardagh combination to the fore.

The home side needed to win this one to back up their Division 2 league success and did so, despite a solid showing from a very talented Moy Davitts outfit, who may still have a big say in this year’s championship.

Rovers will host Davitts next time out, where a win will knock out the guests, and Moy Davitts will need to beat Ballyhaunis in Foxford when they clash.