Mayo club championship semi-finals are too close to call
TYNAN'S TAKE
I LIKE a flutter in the bookies as much as the next person but if you want to ask me who to stake your money on this weekend, I’d be advising you to keep it in your pocket.
One would struggle to pick out an eventual winner out of senior, intermediate and junior, with all semi-finals looking set to be close calls.
Killala have arguably been the surprise package of the entire championship, let alone junior. They were hammered by Islandeady last year but after a much-improved performance against them in the group stages this year, they surprised everyone after beating Swinford in the quarterfinals.
They will be up against it once again this Saturday when they face Cill Chomáin, many people’s favourites to win the title. The all-north Mayo semi-final in Ballina should see Cill Chomáin advance but Killala will make life difficult.
The other semi-final between Islandeady and Shrule/Glencorrib in Tourmakeady promises to be a close affair. Two teams who were relegated from intermediate (Shrule/Glencorrib in 2019, Islandeady in 2020) and have been building again nicely. While my nod goes to Islandeady, this one could go all the way.
Speaking of intermediate, it’s always been tough to pick a winner and you can make a case for all four teams to win the whole thing. Kilmeena have plenty of momentum after winning the Mayo, Connacht and All-Ireland junior titles and look right at home in intermediate. They will have another tough test against Bohola Moy Davitts after they came though against Ballinrobe.
The Bohola men took out many people’s pick, Louisburgh, in the last eight. Relegated from senior two years ago, they look a side ready to return to senior, but I feel with the momentum, confidence and quality surging through Kilmeena’s veins, they will take Moy Davitts down.
The other semi-final sees Ballyhaunis face Hollymount-Carramore. I got to see both in person recently and Ballyhaunis, from top to bottom, are such a well-drilled outfit. The way they wore down Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin and finished them off second half was impressive.
Hollymount/Carramore went for the kill early against Kilmaine in their final group game and won in impressive fashion but were pushed to the limit by Crossmolina. Hollymount/Carramore certainly have the power in attack, but the all-round strength will see Ballyhaunis over the line and into another intermediate final.
Finally, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park will see two tightly contested senior semi-finals. Ballina Stephenites dismantled Claremorris and, as mentioned in this column last week, they appear to be the only side left with no question marks hanging over them.
Standing in the way of the rising force of Ballina is a tried and tested Ballintubber. The manner of the defeat to Westport may still linger coming into this one and should Ballina replicate their Claremorris performance, Ballintubber may have no answer. But they have the experience, know-how and a certain Cillian O’Connor to cause another surprise.
The other semi-final sees a team waiting to make that breakthrough against a side looking to return to the top of Mayo football. Many feel it is only a matter of time before Westport finally win the big one and the pressure will be on them against Castlebar Mitchels.
Making great strides under Barry Moran, many of Mitchels’ stellar underage players have made an impact and everyone took notice when they beat defending champions Knockmore.
This is the closest game of all the semi-finals to call. I still feel this year may be too soon for a youthful Mitchels outfit and Westport will have a shot at what they may feel is destiny in two weeks.
All in all, we’re set for a scintillating weekend of action. Just don’t bet on how it’ll turn out.