Are we there yet? The long and winding road to Salthill on 14th June is, I’m afraid, still more than three weeks away. It’s so far away, in fact, that the short-term focus this weekend switches to the club championship, where action takes place at both senior and intermediate level.
Club action on home turf is a bit beyond my remit – with my own club allegiances instead rooted firmly up here in the capital – but, for those of you based on or close to the holy ground, there are plenty of club championship clashes to choose from this coming weekend. My own favourite, were I to sample some club fare at the weekend (which I won’t be doing – I’m off to Clare for a cycling event on Sunday) would probably be the meeting of Castlebar and Ballaghaderreen at Páirc Josie Munnelly in Castlebar at 6.30pm on Saturday.
I had a root around online earlier on to see if I could find a nice one-stop-shop for all the weekend’s fixtures. I drew a blank in this respect and so, using the Mayo GAA website, I went and made one. It’s here.
By the way, don’t forget that there’s action (of a sort) in the Connacht championship this weekend as well. John Evans takes his all-conquering Rossies over to the bright lights of London for a provincial quarter-final against the Exiles on Sunday (throw-in 3pm), with a semi-final clash against Sligo in Markievicz Park in four weeks time the prize on offer for the victors. Not surprisingly, the Sheepstealers are priced at a measly 1/25 to prevail in this one.
Thanks for the list of fixtures. Hope to take in at least one.
I think Willie Joe you might change the date there, or we Mayo supporters might arrive a month to late for the match 🙂
Done! Thanks for pointing out that error, Mayo McHale – this long period without a match is obviously getting to me at this stage.
No mention of a venue for The Neale v Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin, Willie Joe, but since all the others have the home team listed first I presume that on has the Neale at home too.
I live out of the county but be interested to hear who especially forwards plays well. Conor OS and Darren Coen put up big scores a few weeks back. Both are options for FF line. So are Andy Moran, Mickey Sweeney, Mickey C, Danny Kirby. Looking for at least 2 of that lot to stand out from the crowd. With Alan Dillon we may have to sacrifice one inside forward as he’s a playmaker and maybe can’t expect the same workrate if he’s a HF these days as the 2 DOC’s but club championship is very interesting barometer. Also very interested if any clubs put a county midfielder in the forward line and Donie sometimes plays up front too, maybe he overtakes a lot of them by playing so well up there the option can’t be overlooked.
Heading off to the Tourmakeady v Holly/Carra game myself soon so will let ye know who plays well. Aside I see Kerry GAA had another fundraiser in New York lately. The Plaza hotel mind you, with signed Jersey’s, former players and guest speakers. Kerry are fundraising for their new center of excellence. Apparently they have raised 4.5 million already…wow.
With the many thousands of Mayo and Mayo descendants living in the US and indeed around the world we could be doing so much more to fund raise here for our teams and facilities back home.
We built a small stand in McHale park many years ago, with a load of money that had been gathered or donated years earlier for development. We then sat on our hands for years and done nothing. When the next phase of development was needed we headed for the bank for a loan. The prudent thing would have been to setup fund raising on a professional and permanent footing. Have it running continuously using different channels of income, like concerts, overseas fund raising events, and commercial interests. It needs to be transparent with a high degree of integrity. We have a lot of experience on how not to do things. The time has come to turn the coach around.
$1000 dollar a plate corporate functions in the Plaza hotel vs biscuit tins at the door of a pub. Says it all really and people still tell Kerryman jokes.
Ah Biscuittingate… And still the clowns (with the exception of the head clown) are running our show.
Im not living in the county but does anyone know of any really good underage players (preferably forwards) coming through? I mean… Someone showing excellent talent at minor, u16 it even u14.
Hard to know Mayonaze with young foorballers. Physicality and fitness is now 60% of inter county performance. You pretty much can no longer link talented minors to Senior success. Height, strength and speed are probably the best thing to look for in young players. The most two footed young foorballer is Gary Boylan but he is off with Sligo Rovers.
Cillian got a run for ballintubber (16 mins) . Harsh black card I’m hearing .
On good hopefully will be back for galway game.
Yes Cillian made an appearance for ‘tubber today.
http://www.ballintubbergaa.com/news/324-return-of-cillian-o-connor-helps-guide-ballintubber-to-impressive-opening-win-in-senior-championship-on-sunday
There is a footballer with Holly/Carramore called Feerick. I watched him with the Mayo junior team this year. He was captain for one of their games I think. I was very impressed with his pace and stamina. This guy never stops, and is blessed with some engine. Any one know about him, I was very impressed with his workrate
Keith Ruttledge another very good forward.
What about sharoize akram? Lot of hype about him last year apparently he is very good, minor this year..
pjmcmanus – Padraig Ferrick, great club player alright. Runs and works all day. Darren Coen was quiet enough at the weekend but Stephen Coen was excellent again.
No word of any injuries picked up over the weekend?
Would anyone have any match accounts? I saw one on the Knockmore v Ballyhaunis over on Gaaboard. I’m it is F’Deelin above that gave it?
Here’s a link from mayo advertiser with fairly thorough account on a few games from the weekend JPM
http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/77882/oconnor-returns-to-action-as-ballintubber-kick-start-title-defence
If Ferrick is Holly/Carr, Connelly will know all about him.
Crowe, Nally and Varley all excellent for Garrymore. Tom Parsons very quiet. Ger Cafferkey absolutely outstanding for Ballina. Boyle and Aido top class, Conor O Se very good also
Cheers for that Juno. V good to read. Sounds like there were some cracking encounters.
Was at Kiltane / Shrule Game, Ronaldson caused them all sorts of problems throughout the game. He was looking very sharp, They had to resort to giving him a few sly digs here and there and it curbed his influence a small bit towards the end.