Cracking weekend of games in Mayo intermediate championship
By Aiden Henry
IN the third and final round of group games in the intermediate championship, there is everything to play for in each of the four groups.
It promises to be a gripping weekend of games in this grade as no team is 100% certain of a place in the quarterfinals.
While it would take a massive turnaround in results to deny Ballyhaunis and Louisburgh a place in the quarterfinals, the other six places will all depend on how teams fare out in their final games in the group.
All four groups have crucial games, but Group 4 (the group of death) is certainly proving intriguing as all four teams are on two points each going into the last round.
That means it will be a straight shootout between Kiltimagh and Kilmeena and Kilmaine and Hollymount/Carramore as to who gets through to the quarterfinals.
All of these four teams would have fancied their chances of going all the way in the championship this year but two of them won’t make the quarterfinals.
GROUP 1
Sunday, September 25, 12 p.m.
Louisburgh v Bonniconlon in Islandeady
Crossmolina Deel Rovers v Lahardane in Ballina
Unless there is a massive turnaround in scoring difference, Louisburgh will be in the draw for the quarterfinals no matter if they win, lose or draw against Bonniconlon.
Bonniconlon, on the other hand, are well aware that they will have to win this game by a huge score to keep their championship hopes alive. The only other possible avenue for them is that Crossmolina lose to Lahardane in the other game in this group, in which case a draw against Louisburgh would be good enough to get them into the last eight.
Nevertheless, it going to be a big ask for Bonniconlon to get anything from this game as Louisburgh have been very impressive so far in their victories over Crossmolina and Lahardane.
Bonniconlon got their championship off to a flyer against Lahardane but in round two, against Crossmolina, they were beaten out the gate. Unless there is a big turnaround in Bonniconlon’s form, this looks like being three wins from three for Louisburgh.
The local derby between Lahardane and Crossmolina, meanwhile, should draw a big crowd to Ballina. However, while games between these near neighbours are always well contested, it is hard to see anything other that a big Crossmolina victory.
After going down narrowly to Louisburgh away from home in round one, Crossmolina really ripped into the Bonniconlon in the last round. Indeed, their huge win was one of the eye-catching results of round two. The Deel Rovers are on the up and will take some beating.
Even after two defeats, Lahardane still have an outside chance of making the last eight. However, they would have to hope that Louisburgh beat Bonniconlon and they themselves not alone beat Crossmolina but beat them by a cricket score as their score difference is way below Sunday’s opponents.
Verdict: Crossmolina who should win with a bit to spare and join Louisburgh in the last eight from this group.
GROUP 2
Sunday, September 25, 2 p.m.
Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin v Burrishoole in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar
Ballinrobe v Kiltane in Westport
A massive game awaits in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park on Sunday as whoever wins between Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin and Burrishoole will be in the quarterfinal draw.
Burrishoole have a slight advantage as they know a draw will be enough to get them into the last eight. Parke, on the other hand, know they must win to advance.
Burrishoole had a great away win over Kiltane in round one before drawing with Ballinrobe last time out. They are a good championship team and will be confident of their chances against Parke.
In round one, Parke came unstuck against Ballinrobe before getting their championship back on track with a very good win over Kiltane at home. They had a very good league campaign, causing a few shocks along the way, and on their best form they will take a lot of beating.
While all form to date would point to a Ballinrobe victory in the other game, one should never rule out Kiltane – especially when it comes to championship.
Ballinrobe got their championship campaign off to a flying start with a great win over Parke. Against Burrishoole in round two they had to pull out all the stops before getting a share of the spoils.
While they got 10 scores to their opponents' 16, three of those scores were goals, illustrating what lethal forwards they have.
While Kiltane are not the force they used to be in the past, they still are a hard side to beat. Although they have lost their two opening games, they will not be easy meat for Ballinrobe.
Verdict: It is hard to look beyond a Ballinrobe victory, which would secure them a place in the last eight. They should be joined by Parke, an up-and-coming team who might just prove too strong for Burrishoole.
GROUP 3
Saturday, September 24, 2 p.m.
Ballyhaunis v Ardnaree Sarsfields in Parke
Castlebar Mitches B v Bohola Moy Davitts in Knockmore
A win or draw for Ballyhaunis against Ardnaree would be good enough to see them safely through to the quarterfinals. Indeed, a defeat or draw for Bohola Moy Davitts in their last group game against Castlebar Mitchels B would send Ballyhaunis through, no matter what their result is against Ardnaree.
Meanwhile, Ardnaree already know their destiny as they are going to be involved in the relegation playoffs following their two defeats against Moy Davitts and Castlebar Mitchels B.
While they will not be travelling to Parke to make up the numbers, they will be very much up against it facing Ballyhaunis.
After coming back from the jaws of defeat in their opening round, Ballyhaunis produced a big performance in beating Moy Davitts in the last round. It was an eye-catching display..
The other game, without doubt, is one of the biggest in the final round of group encounters. Whichever team comes out on top here will be in the quarterfinals.
Castlebar have a slight edge in scoring difference and so a draw would see them through to the last eight.
Moy Davitts started their championship campaign with a massive victory over Ardnaree away from home but in round two, at home to Ballyhaunis, they were no match for their opponents.
Castlebar Mitchels B might wonder how they let a big lead slip against Ballyhaunis before sharing the spoils. But against Ardnaree, in a tough encounter, they finished well to secure the two points.
Verdict: Castlebar Mitchels B have the wherewithal to beat Bohola Moy Davitts and join Ballyhaunis in the last eight.
GROUP 4
Sunday, September 25, 4 p.m.
Kiltimagh v Kilmeena in Clogher
Hollymount/Carramore v Kilmaine in Claremorris
It is very difficult to predict who will come out on top between Kilmeena and Kiltimagh. In the last round, both these teams lost their respective games against Kilmaine and Hollymount/Carramore.
The Kiltimagh defeat was the big surprise in round two as they were hammered by Kilmaine, conceding 5-11 in the process. This followed an impressive first round win over Hollymount/Carramore.
Meanwhile, Kilmeena, who defeated Kilmaine in round one, lost out to Hollymount/Carramore last time out by three points.
Kilmeena, last year’s All-Ireland junior champions, will not lack in experience going into this crucial game. Indeed, they will go into it with a certain degree of confidence judging by their form in the intermediate grade already.
Kiltimagh will want to get the Kilmaine result erased very quickly and will see this clash with Kilmeena as the perfect game to do it. But if they do not improve greatly on their Kilmaine performance they will be in trouble here.
Kilmaine and Hollymount/Carramore were impressive in round two and look like they are hitting form at the right time. Kilmaine's performance against Kiltimagh last time out was one of their best in a long time. If they can come close to reproducing that display they will take some beating.
After an indifferent opening round game against Kiltimagh, Hollymount/Carramore got back to winning ways with a fine victory over Kilmeena in round two. They will have to reproduce that performance against Kilmaine – and maybe better it – if they hope to beat their south Mayo opponents on Sunday.
This has all the ingredients for a classic, one that could go right down to the wire.
Verdict: Two close games are in prospect but the nod goes to Kilmaine following their eye-catching win and performance against Kiltimagh, while Kiltimagh, assuming they rediscover their best form, might just get over the line against Kilmeena to join them in the last eight.