Attractive semi-final Mayo GAA League showdowns in Ballina and Castlebar
WITH the club championship less than a month away, the county league semi-finals are down for decision this weekend and should provide an ideal appetiser ahead of the main fare as four of the big guns clash.
On Saturday at 7 p.m. Castlebar Mitchels face Garrymore, while on Sunday at 2 p.m. in James Stephens Park, Ballina Stephenites welcome county champions Knockmore.
The two semi-finals are intriguing as one brings neighbours Knockmore and Ballina together at James Stephens Park while the other will put last year’s championship quarterfinalists, Castlebar Matchels and Garrymore, up against each other, Mitchels losing out on that occasion to the men from the south.
Last weekend’s quarterfinals provided plenty of drama and no shortage of talking points, not least the decision by Ballinrobe to give Ballina a walkover. I understand Ballina had acceded to a number of requests from Ballinrobe to change the date and time of the game but in the end Ballinrobe opted not to play, which gave the Stepehenites a bye into the semi-final.
Their opponents, Knockmore, had a two-point win over Breaffy but you feel home venue could swing this one in Ballina’s favour, with Ray Dempsey having his eye on the bigger picture of that three-in-row – unless, of course, he lands the job as Mayo senior team manager, which is to be announced prior to the start of the club championship.
That said, Dempsey looks likely to be in charge of Knockmore regardless of the Mayo job as he will have plenty of time on his hands with nothing happening on the Mayo scene until after Christmas.
Garrymore will be fancying their chances once again against Castlebar having come through a very tough game with Westport, which needed extra-time to find a winner in what was an encounter of high drama and many twist and turns, including cards of various hues.
Castlebar Mitchels were well in control of their clash with Aghamore, goals from Conor Stenson and Paddy Durcan securing a six-point win for the Mitchels, but this young team – which is still very much in a rebuilding process following the appointment of Barry Moran and Neil Lydon as joint managers – will have their work cut out to deny Garrymore. That said, Mitchels are playing with a lot of confidence at the moment and I expect them to go close.
Knockmore and Ballina Stephenites is always interesting and this one can go either way. The county champions still look the team to beat in this year’s championship but there'll be no lack of spice from the Stephenites.
There is one senior relegation playoff down for decision Saturday at 7 p.m. in Ballaghaderreen, where the home team take on Kiltimagh.
Ballintubber and Louisbrugh are also involved in a relegation playoff which, will be played in Ballintubber on Saturday week, August 20, at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, in Division 2, last year's beaten senior championship finalists, Belmullet, appear to be going well under Liam McHale as they qualified for the semi-final by beating The Neale. Ryan O’Donoghue is still in the US but is expected back for the championship for Belmullet.
Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin also had an impressive win over Moy Davitts (2-12 to 2-6) to claim a semi-final spot, while Hollymount-Carramore are also through after beating Ballyhaunis, as are Davitts, who defeated Balla.
Division 1 semi-finals: Saturday at 7 p.m. at Josie Munnell Park, Castlebar v Garrymore; Sunday at 2 p.m. in James Stephens Park, Ballina v Knockmore.
Division 2 semi-finals: Saturday at 7 p.m. in Hollymount, Hollymount-Carramore v Davitts; Sunday at 3 p.m. in Belmullet, Belmullet v Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin.