Mayo Senior Championship previews and predictions

THE race for the Moclair Cup reaches a a pivotal stage at the weekend. We cast our eye over the runners and riders and predict who will advance and who may be gearing up for a relegation dog-fight.

MAYO SFC GROUP 1

Still all to play for at both ends

KILMEENA V BALLINTUBBER

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 3.30PM

ST AODHAN'S PARK, ISLANDEADY

REF: PAUL LYDON

VICTORY is the only acceptable result for both sides. Ballintubber know a win may get them into the quarter-finals if the other result in the group goes their way. Kilmeena are well aware that victory will see them maintain their senior status, which would be a fine achievement in their first season in the top tier.

It may turn out to be a shootout between Caolach Halligan and the returning Cillian O'Connor who was suspended for the first two rounds. That battle will be intriguing if it develops, but both sides have plenty of other game-winners too and the result will go to the side with the greater amount of men playing at the top of their game.

VERDICT - KILMEENA

AGHAMORE V BREAFFY

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 3.30PM

CANON GIBBONS PARK, CLAREMORRIS

REF: LIAM DEVENNEY

THE winner of this battle between the unbeaten sides will secure a home quarter-final. If it ends in a draw then Breaffy will win the group. It's simple really. Aghamore know Ballinrubber are lurking in the background if they don't get something out of this one and that will drive them on. They rose from the ashes in Kilmeena last time out and seemed to be in control against Ballintubber on opening day only to share the spoils, so a more consistent display is required on Saturday.

Breaffy have been one of the stories of the championship so far. Earlier in the season they were many people's picks for a relegation battle, now nobody wants to play them. Aidan O'Shea is playing the football of his life and Sean Deane has generated a great sense of excitement and drive around the squad. They'll be hoping to continue the good run in Claremorris.

VERDICT - BREAFFY

MAYO SFC GROUP 2

Two classics in store

BALLINA STEPHENITES V WESTPORT

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1.30PM

FR O'HARA PARK, CHARLESTOWN

REF: DECLAN CORCORAN

THE big two meet in a winner-takes-all clash on Sunday and it could be a thriller. Both sides will play with a certain sense of abandon given the fact that they have the safety-belt of already being in the quarter-finals. Victory will give the winner home advantage in the next round, while the loser will take to the road, but a loss on Sunday won't be fatal.

Both sides have won their opening games rather handily without setting the world on fire, but championship football is all about getting through the rounds and this has been comfortably achieved.

Ballina have been slightly more impressive in attack and seem to be getting their scores more fluidly while midfielder Mikey Murray has been one of the stars of the championship so far. 

Westport pride themselves on their all-round team effort and it has served them well to date. Of course, victory on Sunday is important, but the smart money is on both to meet again on the last day. It could be a storming, exciting game in Charlestown and the result won't be decided until the final moments.

VERDICT - BALLINA

BALLA V MAYO GAELS 

BREAFFY

REF: PAUL LYDON

THE closest of rivals meet again. These sides clashed in Mayo Abbey last year with the Gaels getting one over on their neighbours and the men in blue and gold will be hoping to do likewise on Sunday and firmly install themselves as top-dogs.

However, Balla have been very impressive in this campaign. They nearly caused teh shock of the year in the opening round when running Westport close and then had thehir moment in Ballina in the second round. They've been craving this fixture since the final whistle last year and will hope to reverse the result on this occasion.

The Gaels will be at their best for this one with their squad much more settled given the fact that their young men who spent some time in America over the summer have now fully integrated back into the team.

It will go down to the wire.

VERDICT - BALLA

MAYO SFC GROUP 3

Northern lights and a shoot-out

BELMULLET V KNOCKMORE 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 3.30PM

ST TIERNAN'S PARK, CROSSMOLINA

REF: JOHN GLAVEY

A North-Mayo derby in the heart of the territory promises to rekindle memories of days of yore. There will be nothing spared when these sides clash and both harbour hopes of qualifying for the last eight while also aware that the wrong set of results will see them end up in the relegation zone.

Belmullet flattered to deceive in the earlier rounds. They might have won both days with a little more composure and will be looking to relieve that frustration on Sunday. Thir recent record against Knockmore isn't fantastic, but that should have no impact here.

Knockmore aren't happy. They know they haven't played to their potential yet, but championship football is an unforgiving environment. Injuries have hit them hard and they'lve been working hard to get men fit for this one.

Knockmore are favourites, but if Belmullet click they'll win it. However, that's a big unknown.

VERDICT - BELMULLET

BALLAGHADERREEN V CLAREMORRIS 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 3.30PM

BALLYHAUNIS

REF: SHANE CORCORAN

THIS is one of the hardest games to call. Very few gave either of these a chance of qualifying for the last eight before the competition began but if results go right the two of them could be in the quarter-finals on Sunday evening.

Ballaghaderreen have been the most consistent – winning on home soil the first day and following up with a solid win in Erris last time out. Claremorris were bouncing after defeating Belmullet on opening day, but found Knockmore too smart in the second round. The men in blue couldn't get their forward line working properly and they'll be hoping for better luck in Ballyhaunis. If Claremorris find room up front they'll cut any team to shreds but Ballagh' have serious operators guarding their goal. David Drake, David McBrien and the highly-impressive Shairoze Akram have been ripping it up and will be hoping to do so again on Sunday.

VERDICT - BALLAGHADERREEN 

MAYO SFC GROUP 4

Big questions still to be answered 

CHARLESTOWN V GARRYMORE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 5.45PM

BALLINDINE

REF: VINCENT NEARY

WHAT a game we have in store here. How does one call a winner? Not even the players themselves can be confident of anything going into this one, given the sides involved. Simply put, Charlestown and Garrymore are capable of anything on any given day. The men in green could, and probably should, have beaten Castlebar in the opening round. Then, when they were expected to beat Ballyhaunis they were defeated. What form will they bring to Ballindine? 

Garrymore are arguably the most consistent team in the competition over the years. They consistently deliver, but Charlestown love playing them. The men in red weren't overly impressive on the opening day, but will feel they might have got more than a draw against Castlebar last time out. They will need to be more consistent on Saturday or Charlestown will rip into them.

VERDICT - GARRYMORE

BALLYHAUNIS V CASTLEBAR MITCHELS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 5.45PM

ST COMAN'S PARK, HOLLYMOUNT

REF: KEVIN CONNELLY

LET'S be honest. Very few expect Ballyhaunis to win this one, but they couldn't care less about other people's opinions. They have overcome the loss of players, injuries and bad luck to leave themselves in with a shot at the quarter-finals going into this one. Of course, a Ballyhaunis victory in Hollymount on Saturday would send shock waves around the county, but it cannot be ruled out.

On the other hand, Castlebar are under pressure. They've been poor for long periods of their games against Charlestown and Garrymore and their forward line hasn't set the world on fire. Everyone expects that to change on Saturday with the men in red and yellow kicking scores from all angles. However, that's easier said than done.

Ballyhaunis have absolutely nothing to lose and will play with abandon. If Mitchels play to their potential they'll win this one and progress – and at the end of the day, that's the only requirement at this stage of the season.

VERDICT - CASTLEBAR

READ: Intermediate Championship preview and predictions