PREVIEW: Concannon's army can march on over Galway champions

The men from Ballindine and Irishtown claimed the Sweeney Cup on October 25 after a superb performance against a talented Ballinrobe side. That day, Jack Melvin and Niall Treacy were excellent as the pair played pivotal roles kicking 0-17 between them. In defence, Charlie Phillips has been setting high standards at the back all season while Cian Naughton who has moved back down from the St Vincent’s club in Dublin has been a big player as of late.

County man and All-Ireland winner Fenton Kelly has played a huge role in Davitts getting this far. Located around the middle areas, Kelly has brought energy to his side while his running power has seemed to drive on those players around him including his brother Ronan.

Much of the talk this season around Davitts is around their forwards who are full of flair, firepower and talent. Team captain Niall Treacy has suffered with injuries in the past 12 months but since this campaign has got underway, he’s been outstanding. Along with his brothers Ciaran and Shane, the Davitts attacking unit is full of real promise.

The bordermen last tasted intermediate success in 2011 and the following months saw the black and red go all the way to the All-Ireland final before Kerry’s Milltown Castlemaine claimed glory. The men from Davitt Park established themselves as a senior side then as they remained in the top tier right up until 2022 when The Neale dramatically sent them down to the intermediate ranks after a penalty shoot-out.

Intermediate sides in Mayo have had mixed fortunes in the provincial series in recent years with Crossmolina being the most recent Mayo winners, in 2024. Since Davitts did the business in 2011, Charlestown, Kiltane, Hollymount Carramore, Westport, have all climbed to the summit of Connacht football.

Looking at the Sunday’s opposition In terms of geography, there is just 30 minutes separating the two clubs while a close game is also expected on the pitch. Both sides have inter-county experience as Davitts have Fenton Kelly while Caherlistrane have talented defender Johnny McGrath in their ranks. McGrath’s brother Richard who also features in the defence is another prominent player while at midfield, joint-captain Stephen Lawless along with Kevin Nally are both important players.

Up top, Shane Greaney has been one of the top scorers in the intermediate ranks in Galway in recent years and is seen as a major scoring threat. Greaney and Richard McGrath were both on the Galway U-20 panel this season. The North Galway men have only been down in the intermediate ranks for two years after suffering relegation in 2024 and now, they're on the march but a tough Davitts side stand in the way.

Sunday’s clash is expected to be a close contest between these two talented sides. However on the balance of things, one favours Davitts. With Charlie Phillips and the experienced Colm Boyle who has been coming off the bench recently featuring at the back, the Galway men could find it tough to find space. Fenton Kelly and Jack Melvin can turn any game with their power around the middle while the Treacy brothers along with Jack Ronayne are well capable of powering the Mayo kings to victory and on Sunday, perhaps they can.

​VERDICT: Davitts