Yesterday wasn’t just county final day in Mayo as the senior club deciders in both Galway and Roscommon were played as well. The matches at both Hyde Park and Tuam Stadium produced emphatic outcomes, with St. Brigid’s sealing their fifth Roscommon title in a row when they had fourteen points to spare over St. Faithleach’s while Corofin crushed St. Michael’s by 5-12 to 0-9 to claim back-to-back titles in Galway.
Aughawillan won the Leitrim championship a few weeks back, in what was a major upset as they beat defending champions St. Mary’s in the decider to claim their first senior county title in twenty years, while Tubbercurry were the victors in Sligo, with their win last weekend over St. Mary’s (the Sligo ones, obviously) landing them their first county title since 1991 and their 20th in all.
Next Sunday sees the start of the Connacht club championship, with Tubbercurry and Aughawillan facing off at Markievicz Park (throw-in 2pm). The winners of that one will play Corofin in the semis on November 9th, with the venue dependent on who emerges from next Sunday’s quarter-final clash. The Ballintubber/St. Brigid’s semi-final is also down for decision on November 9th, with this one fixed for MacHale Park (throw-in 2pm). Full fixture details from Connacht GAA are here.
The bookies have installed Corofin as the hot favourites to emerge from the west this year – the Galway champs are priced at 2/5 to land the Connacht title for the first time since 2009, while the 2013 All-Ireland club champions St. Brigid’s are on offer at 7/2, with Ballintubber available at 11/2. Full odds from Paddy Power here.
While Corofin probably deserve their tag as favourites, I’m not sure those kind of odds are fully justified in what’s likely to be a hard-fought three-cornered contest. Castlebar Mitchels upset the odds last year by beating both Corofin and Brigid’s to claim the provincial title and while those prices, and the draw they’ve been given, dictate that Ballintubber will have to do the same if they’re to emulate Mitchels’ achievement twelve months ago, their cause is far from hopeless.
Nothing for it but a poll, I reckon – who’ll win the Connacht club title this year? Time to vote.
Who'll win the Connacht club title?
- Ballintubber (40%, 166 Votes)
- Corofin (32%, 132 Votes)
- St Brigid's (22%, 89 Votes)
- Aughawillan (5%, 22 Votes)
- Tubbercurry (1%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 413
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The winner will be the team who win in Castlebar. Ballintubber have a great chance. St Bridgets have the experience at this level.
I think those Paddy Power odds just reflect the fact that Corofin have the easy road to the final. Effectively they are certain to be in the final whereas Ballintubber and Brigid’s have a fight to get there.
Nice to see that there are a few optimistic Sligo and Leitrim people, though. Why there should be a gap of 20/1 to 100/1 between Tubbercurry and Aghawillan is a mystery .
Is the Stephen Rochford who is managing Corofin the former Crossmolina defender?
Yes he I Andy….
I am going off topic here but I see we have Leitrim in the U21 for 2015. A half a chance of getting a win at this grade before we meet the BIG guns. Sorry Leitrim followers but desperate times etc….
Think Corofin’s lack of test could harm them in a Connacht final
Saying that they have a superb forward line now, and have definitely improved on last year. Lundy, Farragher and Sice are playing the football of their lives. Their bench is immense
I just think Brigid’s will sneak it though
PJ McManus Galway would have definitely been saying the exact same last year. And that was a great galway team
Sadly I wouldn’t put counterfeit money on Mayo against any team at u21 level based on recent seasons, we really need to get our act together at this level
Trying tg 4 coverage of the county final last Sunday and can’t find it really annoying
Really looking forward to the interview with our new Mayo Managers tomorrow. After all the hullabaloo over their appointment it will be refreshing to at last hear their thoughts and vision for the future of Mayo football. One can only wish them well and hopefully building on a solid foundation laid down by James Horan, Noel and Pat might with a favourable wind bring us that final step to glory.
any names of new or returning players in the new managements plans?
Ive heard they got together a couple of weeks ago and Evan Regan has joined the panel.
that’s a start, I wonder will adam Gallagher be involved? theres so many really top class players on the panel that youd wonder wholl be dropped, some are going to be for sure.
Well Connelly and co will want new blood in the panel, won’t they? Bar one or two fairly obvious members I don’t know who I would honestly drop , they all played with such heart. Even the ones that may go always gave 100% on the pitch even when it wasn’t going their way, it won’t be easy on them after the last 4 years.
3 all-stars for us!
Is the all stars picked yet opt2missteek am trying to get highlight of county final and can’t get it
Boyler zippy & Cil
A coach we didn’t want just won a third county title,what’s wrong in Mayo folks…
When is this interview thing with Connelly and Holmes? Or am I just imagining there’s going to be one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA2OBQs0Kbc
Holmes and Connelly interview.
Dave the interview with the boys is available on YouTube. Just watched it, I’m not sure what I was expecting but generally it was disappointing. The setting was poor and the sound no better and maybe this joint management thing leaves both guys almost afraid to say too much. Sounds kinda funny but they looked like two school boys sitting on a wall wondering what they might do next.
Just like inter county the gap will close right in. Heard Corofin have very tight defensive system hard to break down but that was mooted about Castlebar & Ballintubber had enough about them to do that. Not a classic but Tubber’s work rate was very impressive, lots of harrying…
COC couldn’t get his breath back for entire Tg4 interview after. Dillon was man of the match, great orchestration. They may have the edge on both Brigets & Corofin in midfield where the had periods of dominance against strong Cbar pairing. Goalie had one poor spell in 2nd half where he put too many kickouts near B Moran. Think Tubber have more class players on the up than Brigets, frankie must be past his best by now. Kilbride v good but Gibbons intercounty experience improving Tubber too. DOC quiet in attack until the 5 mins of class but at very crucial point in game & worked hard for team. Played mostly in defense near the end. Work rate & desire will be huge in Connaught. Galway teams intimidated by Corofin but margin between the 3 favourites is tight no offence to the other 2. Desire!
How do ye Mayo folk think the game will go at the weekend? I would be expecting Brigids to win it with a bit of comfort, they are hurt from last years defeat to Castlebar and will want to get their 4th title in 5 years. It probably wont be anything like the margin that Croans beat Ballyhaunis by. They have strength in depth on their panel now that probably no other club in the province have.
Just stuck a poll up on Sunday’s semi-final, honthreross, so that should give an indication of what the feeling is on it. I see Paddy Power have Brigid’s down as the 8/11 favourites.