Knockmore will take Connaught by storm

TYNAN'S TAKE: By Stuart Tynan

It may not have been one for the purists but Knockmore's absorbing victory over Belmullet in the Mayo SFC final was an absorbing contest.

I was at another game in Ballina that afternoon (more on that later) but I caught the first half on commentary through Midwest Radio and saw the rest when I got home that evening, and Knockmore had their homework done this time around.

Belmullet's supply to Ryan O'Donoghue was cut off from the source while the forward was crowded out time after time. The real damage was done either side of half-time as James Ruddy's goal put them four points clear, followed by two points early in the second half to make it a six-point game. In what was always going to be a low-scoring affair, the writing was on the wall.

Belmullet will be disappointed with their own performance, but that should not take the remarkable run that they have been on to bring themselves to their first final in 40 years. One would suspects they won't be waiting that long for another.

But Knockmore deserve all the praise that comes their way and they now have the Connaught club championship to look forward to. They never got the chance last year due to Covid-19 restrictions but anyone outside Mayo who has not got the chance to see this wonderful young team in action are in for a treat.

Tourlestrane now await the north Mayo men and it's challenge I expect them to pass. You wouldn't bet against going all the way, either.

BALLINA TOWN ADVANCE

I made my way down the N26 for another intriguing matchup in north Mayo as Ballina Town welcomed Carbury to Belleek in the pick of the third round ties in the TP Brennan Connaught Cup.

Many were expecting this to be a close call but the hosts blew the Sligo/Leitrim champions away in the first half to advance. Jesse Devers was a menace throughout and the use of Benny Lavelle on the wings worked wonders.

It's difficult at this time of year for Mayo clubs with their own league more or less finished to be match ready for the provincial and national competitions (many other football leagues operate in the winter as opposed to Mayo's summer season) but Ballina still have a Westaro Cup final to prepare for and may have their Connaught Cup fourth round tie before then also, so as much competitive football between now and then will be crucial. On this form, they will be there or thereabouts and it will take a good team to stop them.