PREDICTIONS: The scramble is on to avoid Mayo's relegation trapdoors

​Eight teams in both the senior and intermediate championships are dreaming of silverware and glory as the quarter-finals loom large on the horizon.

However, running almost cruelly tangentially to those duels, the battle to avoid the dreaded relegation trapdoor is like a spectre hanging over a quartet of sides in each grade.

Here, we'll try and predict the outcomes as clubs aim to find a way to scramble to safety.

MAYO GAELS V BALLA

Hollymount, Friday, at 8pm

Any Moclair Cup dreams are up in smoke for this pair of loving neighbours, but this battle is sure to bring plenty of heat to the ground they call The Saucer. Only six kilometres separate these sides’ home pitches, and one suspects there will be little to separate them on the scoreboard on Friday night.

Both sides showed flashes of what they were capable of at times, but producing across an hour, which is sure to be full of fire and brimstone, is paramount.

It’s a touch of a worrying sign when a goalkeeper is your side's top scorer. While David Dolan is deadly accurate, the fact that only Gary McHale eclipsed him in 2025 and he is top of the pile on his own for this year points to a touch of a lack of firepower.

However, there is no shortage of lads who can produce big moments. In fact, they weren't a million miles off Ballina Stephenites in their last game to see who would prop up the table.

Young Liam Glynn is one who will grow in stature, while Ryan Fadden and Cillian Golding can also sprinkle their stardust on a tie.

However, Mayo Gaels also have talent in their ranks, evidenced by their draw with a Crossmolina side scrapping for a result to make the last eight.

John Gallagher exemplifies this, hitting double digits against Ballintubber alone. Add into that the likes of David Quinn, who rattled the onion bag against the ‘Tubber and the Deel Rovers, and you've a good few men that need minding.

This writer may have tipped Mayo Gaels for the drop last week. However, on the balance of play, they have every chance of victory here.

It’s difficult to take anything from the facile win they recorded over Friday's opponents in the League final some weeks back. However, I expect the end result to be the same, with Balla heading into the unwanted final.

VERDICT: MAYO GAELS

CHARLESTOWN SARSFIELDS V BALLAGHADERREEN

Gilmartin Park, Kiltimagh, Saturday at 4pm

Another day, another mouth-watering derby-day relegation playoff.

Meetings of these sides are often ferocious and keenly contested. If you held a match out in Gilmartin Park at around 3.50pm, it would probably light on the spot given the fiery nature of this rivalry.

When this pair locked horns in Charlestown in the 2025 group stages, it was the visitors who came away with the victory.

However, it was hard to take anything from that tie, particularly given that an early black card for keeper Kenneth Brennan, along with a penalty, had the game practically over before it got going.

Charlestown will be kicking themselves for being in this position. If the form book had played out between the lines and Westport had downed Kilmeena, Charlestown’s season would have been over in a nice comfortable conclusion.

To make matters worse, had Paul Towey rattled the net at the death against Claremorris, they would be looking up rather than peering over their shoulders.

However, they are where they are, and now they have to take on their nearest and dearest eastern neighbours.

If they are to shine here, Towey will be integral. Only Niall Hurley has bettered his 2-18 tally to date. However, Charlestown’s All-Ireland winner has contributed 53 per cent of his side's 4-33 to date.

There is, of course, the question of whether or not the master will return to take on the apprentice.

The likes of Kuba Callaghan (returning from suspension), David McBrien and Arainn McDermott have pedigree, but should they need him, there is every chance that the evergreen Andy Moran could be called upon once more.

This is a tough one to call. However, I foresee the Charlestown contingent being able to do enough to weather the storm and place their neighbours into further peril.

VERDICT: CHARLESTOWN SARSFIELDS

THE NEALE V LOUISBURGH

Tourmakeady, Sunday at 12pm

This South v West battle has plenty riding on it when the pair collide in Tourmakeady.

Neither have had particularly memorable campaigns. However, come Sunday evening, one will find themselves just an hour from real bother.

Neither side has been able to pick up so much as a draw to date. However, The Neale have had one less opportunity to do so.

Louisburgh come from the shores of Clew Bay on a mission. A difficult opening-day loss to Moy Davitts paved the way for an underwhelming campaign. However, in the words of The Saw Doctors, to win just once would be enough.

Dylan Prendergast is central to those aims. His 0-22 accounts for precisely half of his team's 0-44 tally.

However, there is plenty to like about The Neale, who have firepower of their own. Tommy Conroy earned his stripes for Mayo, while Tom Lydon showed his pedigree at Under-20 level. This one is tight to call. However, I just tip the men from Cong, Cross and The Neale to do the business.

VERDICT: THE NEALE

CILL CHOMÁIN V KILTIMAGH

Knockmore, Sunday at 1pm

This battle will be tantamount to at least breaking even in 2026. Cill Chomáin are a side who can be dangerous against anyone. One simply has to look at their first half innings against Kiltane to see their potential.

Liam Maloney shone on that occasion, notching 1-4 in Belmullet in the Erris derby. However, he is far from the only dangerman they have in their arsenal. Jack and Justin Healy have contributed 0-13 between them to date, while Sean Irwin and Kian Gallagher can also find their range when required.

That said, Kiltimagh will want to evade falling back to junior ranks after clinching the Pete McDonnell Cup in 2025.

Their spread of 15 scorers shows their ability to cause damage from any angle, with Conor Hession’s 1-19 tally seeing him fly high in the competition's scoring charts, level with Dylan Prendergast.

This game could come down to which of these dangermen shines brightest.

In my opinion, last season's junior kings should have enough to manoeuvre these choppy waters, but only just.

VERDICT: KILTIMAGH