It has been a historic year for Sarah Baynes (pictured) and her Burrishoole teammates following a maiden Mayo senior championship. They face their biggest challenge to date this Sunday against Connaught and All-Ireland champions Kilkerrin/Clonberne. PHOTO: MICHAEL DONNELLY

Burrishoole's biggest challenge of all now awaits

LGFA CONNAUGHT CLUB SFC FINAL PREVIEW

THE Burrishoole ladies will look to make more history this Sunday as they take on the might of reigning Connaught and All-Ireland champions Kilkerrin/Clonberne at Fr. O’Hara Park, Charlestown, at 1 p.m.

Barriers were broken amid joyous scenes last month when the west Mayo club won their first ever Mayo senior county championship after defeating defending champions Knockmore in a final that was hampered by dreadful playing conditions on the day in Bekan.

It is a testament to the work that manager Colm McManamon and his backroom team have done since their appointment two years ago to bring this side to where they are today. As well as the experience of Clodagh and Ciara McManamon, Burrishoole captain Sarah Baynes and sister Sarah add another dimension to their side while Maria Cannon has become the team’s sharpshooter, kicking some huge scores on their way to glory. Expectations were high around the camp following a solid league campaign but they were brought back to earth in their opening group game of the Mayo senior championship, falling to a 14-point defeat (5-9 to 0-10) to Carnacon.

But their response since has been typical of what this side has been all about. They followed up with comfortable wins over Moy Davitts (3-13 to 0-7) and Hollymount (1-9 to 0-2) to make the semi-finals.

The rest, as they say, is history. Underdogs going into the semi-final against local rivals Westport, they came through a nail-biter (1-10 to 0-12) before overcoming inclement weather and the county champions (0-6 to 1-2) in Bekan to spark wild celebrations.

They were not done there, however. On the October bank holiday, they overcame Leitrim champions Glencar/Manorhamilton 0-14 to 2-5 in a gripping Connaught semi-final in Newport to reach their first ever provincial decider.

FAVOURITES

But standing in Burrishoole’s way is the defending provincial and All-Ireland champions Kilkerrin/Clonberne. The Galway outfit have been a force to be reckoned with over the past decade, having won nine of the last 10 county senior titles. They are appearing in their ninth Connaught final in 10 years, and are aiming to win their fifth Connaught title in a row, with their last three wins in the final very one-sided affairs.

Last year, they finally reached the Holy Grail after they won their first ever Dolores Tyrrell Memorial Cup after beating Mourneabbey in the decider after falling to the same side by a point in 2019.

With county stars like Olivia Divilly, Eva Noone, Ailish Morrisey, Hannah Noone and Siobhan Divilly at the champions disposal, there is no doubt that Burrishoole are going into this final as major underdogs but they will pin the champions to the neck of their collar. Burrishoole will give them a major fright on the day but I feel Kilkerrin/Clonberne may have just too much class in their side for the Mayo ladies to handle.

Verdict: Kilkerrin/Clonberne.