Belmullet's comeback kings open Mayo Championship with win over Knockmore
Young Fionn O’Donoghue was the hero as he scored an injury-time penalty to hand Belmullet the win. The Erris side came good in the second half to get their Moclair Cup aspirations off to the best possible start
Belmullet 2-9
Knockmore 1-9
In St Joseph's Park
Just 12 days on from Mayo’s historic All-Ireland victory, the 2026 Senior Championship got underway on Friday evening as Knockmore welcomed Belmullet to St Joseph’s Park.
It was the visitors who produced the stronger second-half display, hitting 2-8 after the interval to come from behind and claim a vital two points in what is already shaping up as a fiercely competitive Group Four.
Belmullet goalkeeper Shane Nallen opened the scoring from a 45 in the fifth minute, but that would be their only score of the first half.
Knockmore responded through Adam Naughton before Connell Dempsey converted the game’s first two-pointer from a free. Dempsey added two further scores before Aidan Orme also found the target to leave Knockmore four points clear at half-time.
Belmullet had chances to change the game before the break, with Ryan O’Donoghue seeing a penalty saved by his former Mayo team-mate Colm Reape, while another goal opportunity was blocked out for a 45.
O’Donoghue finally got on the scoresheet shortly after the restart with a superb two-pointer, but Knockmore struck for the game’s opening goal when Orme finished to the net.
Belmullet refused to panic. Nallen converted another ‘45 before Anthony Barrett reduced the deficit to a single point with a two-pointer from play.
Peter Naughton restored some breathing room for Knockmore, but Barrett then turned the game on its head when his pass found Eamon McAndrew, who finished to the net and put Belmullet ahead.
Dempsey’s two-point free briefly restored Knockmore’s lead, but Barrett was brought down for a penalty, which Fionn O’Donoghue converted.
O’Donoghue added an insurance point late on as Belmullet held out for victory.
Knockmore will rue a plethora of wides as they now prepare to travel to Ballaghaderreen, while Belmullet look forward to Breaffy’s visit to Tallagh in two weeks’ time.
A full report will be carried out in Tuesday’s edition of the Mayo News