Ballintubber's Jason Gibbons.PHOTO: SPORTSFILE

Jason Gibbons returns from injury to inspire Ballintubber

JASON Gibbons turned in a solid performance for Ballintubber to help his team overcome Aghamore and qualify for the quarterfinals of the Mayo SFC championship as group winners this evening.

Gibbons picked up an injury against Galway last June in the Connaught championship which ended his 2016 championship involvement.

Cillian O’Connor and his brother Diarmuid showed no ill effects from the two All-Ireland finals as both hit the Aghamore net, Cillian’s goal coming for the penalty spot early in the second half and Diarmuid followed up four minutes later, a cracking effort to ease Ballintubber to a 2-11 to 0-9 victory.

Aghamore were not helped when playing with 14 men for the second half after David Kenny picked up a second yellow card just on half-time.

As expected Castlebar Mitchels top their group after beating Ballina Stephenites and will be joined in the last eight by Crossmolina, who hammered Ballinrobe.

Knockmore defeated Ballaghaderreen but both will go through, while the upset of the day saw Charlestown edge out Hollymount-Carramore who now face a relegation battle with Charlestown securing their status for another season.

Breaffy also topped their group with a win over Davitts and, despite losing to Claremorris in the same group, Garrymore go through as runners up.

The eight quarter finalists are Castlebar, Crossmolina, Breaffy, Garrymore, Knockmore, Ballagahaderreen, Ballintubber and Aghamore.