Things start to take shape in Mayo football championships

Ballintubber have one foot in the quarterfinals of the Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship quarterfinals thanks to a three-point victory over Claremorris in their second round Group 3 encounter.

With two wins from two games, things are looking good for Ballintubber, who last won the Moclair Cup in 2019. They will await the result of tomorrow's clash between Charlestown and Ballaghaderreen in the same group with keen interest.

In Group 4, Balla gave their chances of progression to the knockout stages a great boost with a big win over neighbours Mayo Gaels, prevailing by 3-15 to 1-9 in Mayo Abbey. It leaves them with something to play for heading into the final group game against Westport in two weeks' time, regardless of the Covies' result against Knockmore tomorrow.

There were two somewhat surprising results in the Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship. In Ballina, Ardnaree welcomed Ballinrobe for a Group 1 encounter and it turned out to be an excellent game, with the hosts prevailing by two points (0-23 to 2-15) to give themselves a very good chance of reaching the last eight.

The Group 1 picture will become clearer following the meeting of Castlebar Mitchels B and Lahardane early tomorrow afternoon.

The big shock occurred in the Group 4 encounter between Kilmaine and Louisburgh in south Mayo, where the hosts demolished the seasiders on a 2-25 to 1-12 scoreline. It throws the group wide open ahead of the meeting of Hollymount/Carramore and Moy Davitts tomorrow, and leaves Kilmaine firmly in the hunt for a knockout spot.

There were three games in the Treanlaur Catering Exclusive Junior Football Championship, two of them in Group 1. In a close encounter, Killala were defeated at home by Ballycroy by a single point (0-12 to 0-13), while Ardagh underlined their championship credentials with a good win against Ballycastle (2-14 to 1-8).

Finally, in Group 2, Kilmovee Shamrocks won on their travels to north Mayo, emerging with a 0-14 to 0-12 victory and giving themselves a fighting chance of making the quarterfinals.

The round two action continues on Sunday across the three grades.