This coming Sunday the Mayo SFC final is set to be contested, with Breaffy and Knockmore vying for possession of the Moclair Cup. The decider takes place at MacHale Park (throw-in 3.35pm) and it’ll be broadcast live on TG4.
Breaffy are warm favourites to claim their first Senior county title, in large part because of all that big match experience they’ve garnered from coming so close to the prize in recent years.
That experience has stood them in good stead this summer. After the one-point loss to Westport in the first group stage match, they went to Castlebar the following weekend knowing they had to get a result against a team they’ve found it very hard to beat in recent years. They duly got the win they needed.
Then, up against fancied Ballaghaderreen in the quarters, Breaffy absorbed what last year’s finalists threw at them before opening up against their 14-man opponents after the break and blowing them away. Against Westport in the semis, their experience once again came to the fore as they controlled a game played in poor weather to see out a two-point win.
Knockmore, by contrast, bring a wealth of youthful enthusiasm to the contest. A callow side they may well be but they’re a team that play with great desire and purpose, working hard to defend in numbers, then breaking at speed and shooting on sight once they get within range.
They’re not all greenhorns either. Shane McHale, a solid presence at midfield, has significant experience at inter-county level and, of course, they’ve also got the irrepressible Kevin McLoughlin knitting it all together for them all over the field.
Knockmore showed their mettle in the quarters when they put Ballintubber to the sword with calm efficiency. Their ability to learn on the job was then demonstrated in the semi-finals when they overturned their group stage defeat to Ballina Stephenites. Knockmore came out all guns blazing in that meeting the weekend before last and, although Stephenites did manage to summon a second half comeback, Ray Dempsey’s charges were more than capable of fending them off to claim their place in the final.
It’s set to be a fascinating decider, one that really could go either way. Personally I find it hard to tip a winner in this one, even if, when pushed on the Peil Adore podcast last week, I gave a tentative nod in Knockmore’s direction.
What about the rest of you, though – who do you think will win the county final this coming weekend?
Who'll win the county final?
- Knockmore (58%, 525 Votes)
- Breaffy (42%, 381 Votes)
Total Voters: 906
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I’ve given a tentative nod to Breaffy. They’ve been on the road for a while and will know they need to break this duck before some of their established stars slip to the side. They’ll need to leverage every ounce of their power and experience.
Having said all that, Knockmore are playing great football and I’ve really enjoyed watching their counter-attack game.
Should be a great final.
I think Breaffy will win but it will be close
A tentative vote for Breaffy here too. And I do hope that they win it, not that I have anything against Knockmore. Breaffy have been knocking on the door for sometime now and their persistence deserves reward. I have no doubt that even if Knockmore do not win on Sunday their day will come in the near future.
AndyD we thought the same thing about mayo back in 2012 about our day will come. There no guarantees in sport. The time is now. If ur good enough ur good enough
I voted for Knockmore they are young fresh and pacy and have no baggage in finals or at least not as much as Breaffy. Ray Dempsey will have them well up for the final they have good young forwards and Shane Mc Hale at the back is having a great season and they can sow seeds of doubt in Breaffy if they build a head of steam though in saying that Breaffy have the power of the O Shea’s and the class of Matty Ruane and an adequate goalkeeper in Hennelly though I still go for Knockmore I think they haven’t won it since 97?
Agree with AndyD.my thoughts exactly and it will save me texting ?
Anybody know how many tickets are being distributed to the clubs? The minor final is on before it and you’d expect them to get a few tickets too.
I think Knockmore will do it although it’s a hard game to call. Will all the final defeats finally spur Breaffy to get over the line.? I have been hugely impressed by Knockmores intensity and style of play. They are clearly well coached and organised. They have momentum going in to a Final and that’s huge. No one in the County would begrudge it to Breaffy , I believe the sum of Knockmores parts will be greater than a Breaffy side dependent on their County men.
By the way Breaffy handled the running power of Westport, I think Breaffy will win and surprisingly comfortable with a few points to spare.
County finals preview episode of the podcast is now live!
Knockmore will be well up for it and will have nothing to fear, breaffys fear will be losing and that bad vibes in players heads, I would expect a good game. Come on North mayo.
Most of the Knockmore team lost the final against Castlebar in 2016. They have added a few young players since then, but the likes of Kevin McLoughlin won’t have a better opportunity to get a county medal.
Wideball think just 6 of the starters from 2016 in the team that lined out in last two or 3 rounds of 2020 championship including goalkeeper (who was centre forward in 2016)