PREDICTIONS: Knockout drama looms large in Mayo Senior Championship

The most open Mayo Senior Championship in years moves into the knock-out stages at the weekend.

Here, Michael Gallagher tries to predict who will advance to the semi-finals – not an easy task.

Ballaghaderreen v Ballina Stephenites

Saturday, September 20 at 5 pm

The champions and the pretenders meet in what promises to be a thriller on the eastern border. Both sides will be tested to the limit. Ballina Stephenites, the champions and three-in-a-row chasers, face the team who came within a point of them last year. Ballaghaderreen have been impressive all season and will relish this shot at the Moysiders.

Both sides have tough, well-drilled defensive units, hugely impressive midfields, and attackers who have been lighting up the championship. Who wins this will be decided by the tiniest of things – the simple basics that both sides are so good at.

I think Ballaghaderreen have the ability to unseat the champions if they play at their very best, but it won’t be easy.

VERDICT – Ballaghaderreen

Breaffy v Westport

Saturday, September 20 at 5 pm

Championship meetings between these two sides are almost an annual occurrence at this stage. Breaffy have had the upper hand on Westport in recent years and will look to continue that trend on Saturday. Sean Deane’s men have shown savage resilience to dig out two draws and a win already, while Westport have improved every day they’ve gone out.

The Clew Bay boys have an excellent back division and a powerful midfield. Breaffy are similarly equipped. Therefore, it will come down to which attack delivers the goods. It will be tough, tight, and tense, and won’t be decided until the final moments. Breaffy have been tested to the limit all season, and that may stand to them on Saturday.

VERDICT – Breaffy

Knockmore v Ballintubber

Sunday, September 21 at 12.30 pm

How does one give a verdict on this? Two talented sides, moving calmly through the competition while the pundits tip everyone else. They are both well-equipped to win the Moclair Cup, but one will come a cropper on Sunday after an almighty battle.

Peter Naughton will kick a stream of scores at one end, and Cillian O’Connor (if he’s fit) will do likewise at the other. The game will be decided in the middle third. As always, Jason Gibbons has been excelling for the Abbeysiders, while Connell Dempsey has been hitting the high spots for Knockmore. Much will depend on who comes out on top of this duel.

Knockmore are deservedly favourites to win, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Ballintubber might edge it.

VERDICT – Ballintubber

Crossmolina v Belmullet

Sunday, September 21 at 2 pm

A clash of the clans in the heart of North Mayo has all the ingredients of a northern classic. Crossmolina are riding the crest of a wave, playing football of the gods and sprinkling excitement all around them. Belmullet, by contrast, are despondent after a last-minute loss to Breaffy. On paper, Crossmolina should win pulling up – that’s what the bookies think anyway.

Write Belmullet off at your peril. They have hugely talented players all over the pitch, a wonderful team spirit, and if their captain and spiritual leader, Eoin O’Donoghue, is fit, they’ll give this a real shot.

However, Crossmolina are the form team in the competition, and if they play to their potential, they’ll win this one.

VERDICT – Crossmolina

RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS

Aghamore v Ballyhaunis

Saturday, September 20 at 8pm

This will be a test of nerve and good old-fashioned guts on Saturday night in Garrymore. Neither side wanted to be in this position, but now they must make the best of it. Liam Lavin was a huge loss to Aghamore in their clashes with Belmullet and Castlebar Mitchels, and if he’s back, it will be a massive boost for the Red and White.

However, Ballyhaunis have shown savage intent throughout the campaign and might very well confound the critics in this one.

VERDICT – Ballyhaunis

Charlestown v Mayo Gaels

Sunday, September 21 at 2 pm

Both sides will fancy their chances here. They’ll want to end their flirtation with relegation this weekend, but it won’t be easy. The Gaels have impressive firepower when they get going and will look to exploit that.

Charlestown, meanwhile, have Paul Towey up front and a savage collective will to survive. That defiant spirit may serve them well on the day.

VERDICT – Charlestown