VERDICT: Mayo's Intermediate duel set to fuel intrigue
This season's race for the Sweeney Cup is exciting and perhaps is wide open as no team can be ruled out entirely.
Last season’s finalists Moy Davitts are seen as the outright favourites, while Ballyhaunis, who are just down from senior, Ballinrobe, Parke and Ardnaree are amongst the chasing pack.
All eleven other clubs will be dreaming of climbing the McHale Park steps as the race for the Sweeney Cup commences this weekend.
GROUP ONE
Parke Keelogues Crimlin v Kiltane
Saturday, 4.30 pm in Parke
These two sides have met in recent seasons, and it has been the men from North Mayo who held the upper hand. However, on this occasion, one favours Parke, who have a perfect age profile to have a right go at the Intermediate Championship.
A few experienced heads mixed with a lot of exciting youth, it could be a season to remember for the West Mayo men.
VERDICT: PARKE-KC
Hollymount Carramore vCill Chomáin
Sunday, 2 pm in Hollymount
The Erris men enjoyed a positive first season back in the intermediate grade last year, and now they will be looking to build on that led by attacker Justin Healy.
Hollymount Carramore, on the other hand, have underperformed for a few years but with Stephen and Darren Coen, the South Mayo men could make a sweep. Strong around the middle, this could be a home win.
VERDICT: HOLLYMOUNT CARRAMORE
GROUP TWO
Ballinrobe v Ballyhaunis
Sunday, 12.30 pm in Ballinrobe
Two real contenders for the Sweeney Cup. Ballinrobe, under the management of Eoin Hughes, have a nice crop of players here, with the Duffy brothers key, along with Evan O’Brien and teenager Cian May who are impactful around the middle.
Ballyhaunis, recently relegated from senior, will have All Ireland winning Captain Jack Coyne in their ranks, and while they have grown nicely throughout the league, this will be a serious test.
VERDICT: BALLINROBE
Castlebar Mitchels B v The Neale
Sunday, 12.30 pm in Castlebar
When the championship arrives, it’s always hard to know what Castlebar B are going to bring. Often, it’s a blend of young upcoming players mixed with some older heads.
The Neale on the other hand will have Tommy Conroy and Tom Lydon along with Robbie Hughes in attack. The Mitchels defense will have to be alert as they go up against some of the very best attackers in the county.
VERDICT: THE NEALE
GROUP THREE
Davitts v Lahardane
Saturday, 4 pm in Davitts
Cormac Reape’s Lahardane side travel to South Mayo as they go up against a Davitts side who have recent All Ireland winner Fenton Kelly in their ranks.
Shane Finnerty is often the star man for the North Mayo men but if Lahardane are to get anything, Finnerty will need to be on song. One slightly favours the hosts who seem to have more experience than their opponents.
VERDICT: DAVITTS
Louisburgh v Moy Davitts
Saturday, 4.30 pm in Louisburgh
One of the outright favourites against one of the potential dark horses. Moy Davitts fell short narrowly last season but with Brian Reape, Brian Heneghan, Ronan Clarke and Cian McHale, they have a deadly forward line.
Louisburgh on the other hand have improved massively since Pat Grady took them over. Former Louisburgh manager John Kelly is back involved with Moy Davitts and he’ll know the men from ‘God’s Pocket’ well but this clash could be a real close one. One favours Moy Davitts, narrowly.
VERDICT: MOY DAVITTS
GROUP FOUR
Kiltimagh v Islandeady
Saturday, 6.30 pm in Kiltimagh
Last year's county and provincial junior champions go up against an Islandeady side who recently tasted league promotion and appear to have a fine experienced side assembled.
The Kelly brothers are hugely influential for the hosts while Islandeady have firepower from defence to attack with Brendan Gibbons and Darragh Joyce the leading lights for the West Mayo men. A tricky game to call, there shouldn't be a lot between the pair.
VERDICT: DRAW
Ardnaree v Kilmaine
Sunday, 12.30 pm in Ardnaree
The recently crowned Division Three league champions Ardnaree have been very impressive so far this year. Ethan Convey is an excellent attacker who has pace power and knows where the posts are. Kenzie McKee is an excellent defender while his teenage teammate Nathan Roddy is full of potential.
Ollie Walsh’s Kilmaine side have some exciting footballers with the likes of Adam Barrett who is a potential gamechanger. However, it’s hard to see past the North Mayo men especially in their home patch.
VERDICT: ARDNAREE