Mayo league ready to go again

Mayo chairman ‘excited’ despite delayed kick-off

Ger Flanagan

MAYO Football League chairman Gerry Sweeney believes the standard of football in Mayo is ‘as good as anywhere in the country’ and says he is ‘excited’ about the prospect of the season starting next weekend.
The Bangor native was speaking to The Mayo News ahead of the start of the Covid-19 delayed 2020 season, and declared that he is ‘confident’ the organisers will get through the fixture calendar which is due to finish in November.
“We have great Junior football clubs here in Mayo,” he said. “You have Westport United, who probably should have been in the last four of Ireland; Castlebar Celtic, who only last week beat a team in the Connacht Cup that are in the last four, and Ballina Town beat Celtic a couple of weeks before.
“Then you have Manulla, who were unlucky against Carbury in the Connacht Cup. So there’s a great standard in the Super League, it’s as good as anywhere in the country.
“This season is going to be different from every other season, a changed landscape with the new format and Covid-19, but I think it’s going to be exciting.”
Sweeney also reiterated his message to clubs, players, coaches and supporters to adhere to all guidelines laid down by the government and the FAI over the coming months.
However, he says he has been encouraged by their application to date.
“I have been to three different grounds for games over the last couple of weeks and I have to say I’ve been very impressed with everything being done to make sure everybody is safe,” he said. “Everybody has to be safe and it really is up to the home clubs at games to make sure everything is in order.
“I want to wish everyone the best for the new season and remind everyone that we have to be smart in observing all the guidelines and etiquette. And if we do, I would be confident that we will get through the season in a safe way.”