Mayo champions Ballina in survival battle against Castlebar
Having a member of the Mayo senior football team on board as clubs navigate a course to reach the knockout stages of the Moclair Cup is always a bonus, but having an All-Ireland champion (in some case, a few holders of the much-sought-after Celtic Cross) on board undoubtedly adds that bit more excitement and anticipation for those involved, writes John Melvin.
Round one of this year’s competition has clearly benefitted from the infusion of energy and anticipation injected by the success of the county team, with many of the county players replicating the form they showed in the All-Ireland at club level.
For many if not most clubs, the importance of winning their only home game can be vital as to whether they will make the last eight, and already the defending champions and four-in-a-row-seeking Ballina Stephenites are under pressure having crashed to Garrymore in their opening game, which was at home.
They are not alone. Knockmore were taken out by visitors Belmullet, which boosts the Erris side's chance of making the playoffs, while Crossmolina have laid down a marker with a good win over Ballintubber despite Kobe McDonald being at the other end of the planet when the game was played.
Breaffy eased past Ballaghaderreen, Castlebar Mitchels looked sharp and focussed in beating Balla, while Westport, Claremorris and Aghamore all appear to be in good shape having won their opening games.
The fate of few clubs is likely to be decided this weekend ahead of the third and final round of the group stage, which will be played at neutral venues.
The senior championship action starts this evening (Friday) with a crucial clash in Group 2 as Mitchels host the Stephenites. In the same group, Garrymore host Balla, where a win for the home side coupled with a win for Mitchels would see them into the knockout stages.
Also in the senior garde, the meeting of Aghamore and Crossmolina Deel Rovers in Group 3 could be a cracker between two teams that won well in the opening round.
On Saturday (August 22), the senior fixtures are: Group 1 - Charlestown v Kilmeena, Claremorris v Westport; Group 4 - Ballaghaderreen v Knockmore.
The senior games on Sunday (August 23) are: Group 3 - Ballintubber v Mayo Gaels; Group 4 - Belmullet v Breaffy.
Meanwhile, after a very interesting opening round of the Mayo GAA Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship, there are a number of big games down for decision in round two this weekend.
Indeed, like the senior championship, there are many games where the winners and losers in round one clash in games that are expected to draw huge crowds to the different venues.
Once these second round games have all been played, we will have a good idea as how the different groups will pan out.
However, it is unlikely that we will see many teams booking their place in the last eight, which means there will still be a very interesting final round of games to come.
The fixtures are: Friday, August 21 - Group 2, The Neale v Ballinrobe, Group 3, Moy Davitts v Davitts; Saturday, August 22 - Group 1, Cill Chomáin v Parke, Group 4, Kilmaine v Kiltimagh; Sunday, August 23 - Group 1, Kiltane v Hollymount/Carramore, Group 2, Ballyhaunis v Castlebar Mitchels B, Group 3, Lahardane v Louisburgh, Group 4, Islandeady v Ardnaree.