Few surprises in final group games of Mayo football championships

The final group games in the Mayo GAA championships went along expected lines, with few surprises at senior, intermediate or junior level.

Defending senior champions Ballina Stephenites did just enough to see off Garrymore, winning by 0-16 to 0-13 in Charlestown. The result leaves them Group 1 runners-up to Crossmolina Deel Rovers, who put up another big score in defeating Ballyhaunis in Kiltimagh (5-17 to 1-14).

Ballyhaunis now enter the relegation playoffs, while Garrymore have secured senior status for another year – a run that stretches back to the early '70s.

In Group 4, Knockmore – champions in 2020 and 2021 – were in fine scoring form, their 3-19 to 1-12 victory over Mayo Gaels ensuring them of top spot and a home quarterfinal. They were joined from that group in the last eight by Westport, the 2022 winners, who had a tougher encounter against Balla before securing a 0-15 to 0-11 win. Balla finish third in the group, leaving them safe, while Mayo Gaels are left with work to do to avoid going down to intermediate.

Kilmeena appear to be well on course to come back up to senior, judging by their comprehensive Group 2 victory over Cill Chomáin (1-21 to 1-12) in Crossmolina early this afternoon.

They must among the favourites in the Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship, a competition they won two years ago before suffering relegation last year.

Despite defeat, Cill Chomáin will join Kilmeena in the last eight, but the runners-up spot in Group 2 means they will have to travel for their quarterfinal fixture.

The Group 1 winners are Ardnaree following their 1-17 to 1-10 win over Castlebar Mitchels B in Foxford. Ballirobe took the runners-up spot despite a 1-9 to 0-12 draw with Lahardane MacHales in Kilmeena. Lahardane and Mitchels B are both on two points but the former go into the relegation playoffs due to their loss to the county town team in round two.

In Group 3, Kiltane were confirmed winners ahead of the third round, although they suffered defeat against Davitts in the final game (1-17 to 0-21). Parke, who drew with Islandeady (1-12 apiece) in their final group game, will join Kiltane in the quarterfinals. Davitts maintain their intermediate status, while Islandeady go into the relegation battle.

There were just two games today in the Treanlaur Catering Exclusive Junior Football Championship, both in Group 1. Bonniconlon and Ardagh maintained their good form, the former winning 3-8 to 0-9 in Killala and the latter securing victory by 0-18 to 0-9 in Ballycroy. This is a five-team group and so an extra round has to be played. In that final round, Bonniconlon and Ardagh will battle it out to see who tops the group, while it will be a straight shootout between Ballycroy and Ballycastle for third place (three teams go through to the quarterfinals).

Following the action on the field, the draws were made for the quarterfinals of the senior and intermediate championships in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar.

The senior fixtures are as follows: Knockmore v Ballintubber, Breaffy v Westport, Ballaghaderreen v Ballina Stephenites, Crossmolina v Belmullet.

In intermediate, the quarterfinal line-up is: Ardnaree v Parke, Kilmeena v Kilmaine, Kiltane v Cill Chomáin, Moy Davitts v Ballinrobe.

The relegation playoffs have also been sorted. The fixtures are: senior – Ballyhaunis v Aghamore, Charlestown v Mayo Gaels; intermediate – Islandeady v Louisburgh, Lahardane v Burrishoole.

The dates and times for the games have yet to be confirmed.