New Mayo boss checks in at Kiltane as club action makes thrilling start
Westport make big statement in emphatic victory over The Neale
There were some eye catching results around Mayo on the opening day of the club championships.
In the senior championship, Westport sent out a statement with a thumping 3-23 to 0-3 win over The Neale in Group 1 while Garrymore won the local bragging rights in their South Mayo derby against Davitts in Group 4, 2-10 to 0-7.
The other game in the senior championship today was in Group 3 between Ballaghaderreen and Ballina Stephenites, which saw late drama as Ballina kicked over a late equaliser for a share of the spoils after Ballagh' registered a late goal, 0-10 to 1-7 being the final result.
After leading by a point at the interval, 0-6 to 0-5, the north Mayo side looked to have the game in the bag when going three points clear a minute into injury time.
However, after pulling it back to a two-point game, Ballaghaderreen’s David McBrien popped up to score a goal in the 64th minute.
It looked as if the home side had looked dead and buried moments earlier had gained a dramatic victory.
But there was time for one more play and Ballina made the most of it by producing a good upfield movement which ended with Conor McStay firing over the equaliser.
In the end Iboth sides were relieved to hear to hear the final whistle as both sides knew they could have lost the game as well has won it.
In the intermediate championship there were victories for Kiltimagh over Hollymount/Carramore, Burrishoole over Kiltane, Bonniconlon over Lahardane, Moy Davitts over Ardnaree and Kilmeena over Kilmaine.
However, the intermediate game of the evening was in Ballyhaunis where the home side drew with Castlebar Mitchels B.
At half time it certainly didn’t look like this game would finish all square as Castlebar seemed to be in a very commanding position as they lead by nine points, 2-7 to 0-4. There just seemed to be no way back for Ballyhaunis at that stage.
But whatever was said to the home side during the interval it certainly worked.
With Mitchels only able to register one score, a point, in the second half, Ballyhaunis eat into their lead bit by bit and with four minutes of injury time played they finally got the equaliser.
While it was a massive turn around by Ballyhaunis, Castlebar will be wondering for some time how they didn’t come away with a victory in this game.
In Group 1 of the intermediate championship, Bonniconlon beat Lahardane 1-10 to 0-8 while Group 2 saw a convincing 2-13 to 1-8 win for Burrishoole over Kiltane in Bangor Erris in a game that was watched closely by new Mayo manager Kevin McStay.
The group of death in the intermediate championship, Group 4, is also living up to it's billing as Kiltimagh beat Hollymount-Carramore 2-14 to 0-11 and last year's All-Ireland junior champions Kilmeena edged Kilmaine 1-13 to 2-8 in a rip-roaring contest.
In the Mayo junior championship there were good wins for Islandeady who beat Killala by 0-12 to 0-9, and Cill Chomain who defeated Eastern Gaels by 1-11 to 0-9.
RESULTS CHECK
Senior Football Championship
Group 1
Westport 3-23, The Neale 0-3
Group 2
Ballaghaderreen 1-7, Ballina Stephenites 0-10
Group 4
Garrymore 2-10, Davitts 0-7
Intermediate Football Championship
Group 1
Bonniconlon 1-10, Lahardane 0-8
Group 2
Burrishoole 2-13, Kiltane 1-8
Group 3
Ballyhaunis 0-14, Castlebar Mitchels B 2-8
Bohola Moy Davitts 2-16, Ardnaree 0-9
Group 4
Kiltimagh 2-14, Hollymount-Carramore 0-11
Kilmeena 1-13, Kilmaine 2-8
Junior Football Championship
Group 1
Cill Chomain 1-11 Eastern Gaels 0-9
Group 2
Swinford v Kilfian – Match conceded by Kilfian
Group 3
Islandeady 0-12, Killala 0-9.