Conclusion of a number of groups in Mayo GAA football championships
The quarterfinal line-up in the Mayo GAA senior, intermediate and junior football championships is becoming a lot clearer following the conclusion of a number of the groups this afternoon.
As expected, Ballintubber had too much for The Neale in Group 1 of the Connacht Gold Mayo SFC, winning by 3-16 to 1-6, and they join Westport in the last eight.
The Covies made it three wins from three to top the group, their game with Mayo Gaels finishing 0-13 to 0-10.
Mayo Gaels maintain their senior status by finishing third in Group 1, leaving The Neale with a relegation battle.
Group 3 also came to a conclusion this evening. Going into round three, Balla, Belmullet and Claremorris all had a chance of joining Breaffy in the last eight. The way through was most straightforward for Claremorris, who knew that victory over neighbours Balla would see them through regardless of what happened in the other encounter.
Claremorris did what they needed to do, winning by 0-15 to 1-9, while Belmullet's chances ended when they failed to beat Breaffy in Crossmolina, the central Mayo men earning a 0-13 to 1-8 victory.
Belmullet are safe, however, by virtue of their first round win over Balla, who go into the relegation playoffs.
In Group 3 of the Egan Jewellers Mayo IFC, Ballyhaunis made absolutely sure of progress and top spot with a 1-14 to 1-8 victory over Ardnaree, who were already going to be involved in the relegation shake-up.
The real drama was in the other game, where a draw would have been enough for Castlebar Mitchels B to reach the quarterfinals. Instead, they were pipped to second place by Bohola Moy Davitts, who won the crucial encounter by just a single point, 0-14 to 1-10.
Cill Chomáin cemeted their place at the top of Group 1 of the TF Royal Hotel JFC with a 2-13 to 0-6 victory over Ballycastle. Eastern Gaels were 0-19 to 0-6 winners against Moygownagh and that victory coupled with Ballycastle's defeat ensured the easterners of progress through to the quarterfinals in second spot.
Swinford topped Group 2 with a 1-18 to 3-8 win over fellow quarterfinalists Ardagh, while Islandeady's 1-16 to 0-6 victory against Kilmovee Shamrocks propelled them to top spot in the three-team Group 3. Killala will join them in the last eight.
Finally, in Group 4, Shrule/Glencorrib and Tourmakeady couldn't be separated as their game finished 1-10 to 2-7. The former finish in top spot ahead of the latter thanks to a superior scoring difference, however.
The group stages conclude tomorrow in all three championships, after which the full picture will be clear in terms of the quarterfinal line-up and also the relegation candidates.