Mayo champions serve notice of intent with commanding display

Defending Mayo champions Ballina Stephenites served notice of their intention to hold what they have with a big win over Ballyhaunis in their opening Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship fixture on Sunday.

The Stephenites were 3-17 to 0-11 winners at James Stephens Park, with Evan Regan accounting for 2-10 of that tally.

In the same group, Garrymore and Crossmolina played out a thrilling draw (2-11 to 0-17) in south Mayo, the hosts coming with a late equaliser after the Deel Rovers appeared to have done enough to win in their first game back in the senior rank following a stint at intermediate level.

A third north Mayo team, Knockmore, were also impressive, winning by nine (1-18 to 0-12) away to Balla in Group 4, leaving them with a great chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

In the Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship, last year's runners-up, Moy Davitts, put in a great second-half shift to inflict a big defeat on Kilmaine at Green Road, where it finished 2-23 to 1-16.

Ballinrobe also got off to a winning start, defeating Castlebar Mitchels B by 0-15 to 0-8, while Erris pair Cill Chomáin and Kiltane both won as well, the former defeating The Neale by 1-13 to 1-9 in Glenamoy and the latter prevailing by 3-17 to 2-15 away to Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin.

Finally, the Treanlaur Catering Exclusive Junior Football Championship results on Sunday were as follows: Swinford 0-13, Shrule/Glencorrib 2-12; Achill 1-14, Eastern Gaels 2-11; Ballycroy 0-9, Bonniconlon 2-21.