Results round-up

Willie Joe

Photo: Memories thru a Lens

Time for a quick gallop through the weekend results, of which there are quite a few to mention.

Let’s start with the county’s ladies footballers, who this afternoon booked their place in this year’s National Football League semi-finals, courtesy of a 6-11 to 3-11 win over Monaghan at Swinford. Top scorer for them today was Sarah Rowe with 3-4. Match report on that game is here and video of all nine goals scored in it is here.

Peter Leahy’s charges now face defending League champions Cork in the semis. That match will be played the weekend after next, with the date, time and venue to be decided later.

Staying with ladies football, big congrats to the GMIT Mayo ladies team who won the European football blitz in Vigo, Spain, at the weekend. The only details I have on that is here but well done to them all the same.

Onto the lads and starting with the two Colleges’ finals at Croke Park yesterday, where there was double disappointment as both Rice College and St Nathy’s went under in their respective finals. It’s always tough to fall at the final hurdle, all the more so for the Westport lads who only just lost out by the minimum margin, but both teams can console themselves on the marvellous runs they enjoyed all the way to the final and to Croke Park.

Commiserations to the both of them and well done on their respective campaigns. Mike Kelly’s report from Croke Park for the Mayo Advertiser on the Hogan Cup decider is here.

And so to the welter of club championship action that took place yesterday and today, with Round 1 ties in the senior and intermediate football championships. Here are all the results from those fixtures:

Senior Football Championship

GROUP 1: Castlebar Mitchels 2-18 Ballina Stephenites 1-6; Ballaghaderreen 1-11 Aghamore 0-10

GROUP 2: Charlestown 1-12 Knockmore 1-9; Moy Davitts 1-12 Garrymore 2-12

GROUP 3: Hollymount/Carramore 0-9 Claremorris 2-7; Crossmolina 0-8 Westport 2-12

GROUP 4: Davitts 1-9 Ballintubber 1-13; Breaffy 1-15 Kiltane 1-12

Intermediate Football Championship

GROUP 1: Ballyhaunis 0-8 Kiltimagh 0-10; Mayo Gaels 1-15 Belmullet 3-15

GROUP 2: Islandeady 1-11 Swinford 2-9; Bonniconlon 0-10 Burrishoole 2-12

GROUP 3: Ballinrobe 3-12 Ardnaree 2-9; Castlebar Mitchels B 2-11 The Neale 1-14

GROUP 4: Parke 0-8 Louisburgh 0-9; Shrule/Glencorrib 1-7 Lahardane 0-12

A summary of the weekend’s SFC action by Colm Gannon in the Mayo Advertiser is here.

Finally, a quick mention about my own weekend action, which came in the shape of yesterday’s 125km Cliffs of Moher Cycle Challenge on a fantastically picturesque route in North Clare. For anyone who’s interested in outings of this kind, it’s worth knowing that this was an extremely well organised and friendly event, one that looks deservedly set to grow in popularity in future years. I’ll definitely be back to do it again.

70 thoughts on “Results round-up”

  1. Congrats Willie Joe . That’s a helluva bike ride. Was it all leisurely ( ha ha ) or was it also competitive ?

  2. With 1,300 metres of climbing there was very little leisure on it! It wasn’t a race, though, just a sportive but apparently some Polish lad made it back in just under three and a half hours. I thought I’d done okay to keep it under (just about) five hours …

  5. I’ve never seen the lad play but Jack Reilly is a name that keeps coming up here as someone who maybe should be on the panel. A scoring midfielder, I wonder what’s his percentage shot to score ratio, my guess is high and what’s he like at the long range frees? Midfielders are usually better at those because of the extra leverage that comes with typical midfielders height advantage. Consistently hearing of the lad being on the scoreboard usually for more than 1 score.

  6. Shuffly he seems like good honest lad and kicked some lovely scores has potential but given amount of personnel knockmore were missing I would have expected more from all the talk. What age lad is he? Could be scope for more off him if given time.

  7. And a run of course. Have seen him couple of times and while may not be answer we need he he seems to have done enough to earn a shot at FBD league to see what could do IMO

  8. Having toured that Burren area [by car, I might add] I have to admire your guts in taking it on by bike, Willie Joe. And I’m told that you are no longer in your twenties either!

  9. Well done on the cycle WJ. I went to ballyvaughen yesterday and had a bit of a chin wag with some of the cyclists where thy were having their food stop. All distances they told me and they reckoned between 500 and 700 took part. One lad wasn’t blessing the route near Liscannor. Said it was really tough. It’s a lovely route and yea were bleased with the weather.

  10. any first hand reports from the club matches.

    I was at Castlebar v Ballina. James Durkan again stood out for me as somebody that might do something for the seniors, although he is maybe a little on the small side for that level. impressive win by Mitchells who will be hard beaten.

    Particularly interested in how Cian Hanley got on

  12. I did, indeed, Pebblesmeller. It wasn’t as tough as I’d thought it would be, not least because we had to tackle it having already covered 100km with plenty more climbing, but thankfully I had got my second wind by then and made it up without too much bother.

  13. “And i’m told that you are no longer in your twenties either”

    I’d say at least two house rules broken there with that sentence.

    1. Rumours not allowed. 2. Play the ball not the man.

  14. Its a bit of a worry the decline of north mayo shows no sign or changing. All 4 north mayo teams lost senior games. Crossmolina and ballina well beaten. I know when cross, ballina and knockmore were on top, the current big three of castlebar, ballintubber and breaffy werent at the races, its swings and roundabouts. But a sharp decline in talent of two all ireland champions is a worry for those clubs.

  15. I’ve seen Jack reilly play several times, never as a midfielder. He was full forward v Knockmore and didn’t get a sniff In the first half. Came deeper in the second where he played well. However this game was all about the performance of parsons, immense. On a side note officials were a disgrace, off the ball stuff from both sides went unpunished all evening.
    Was also at tubber v davitts. Diarmaid Gibbons dillon and no.7 ran the show for tubber. Josh ronayne and Andy Peters excellent for the home side.

  17. Sadly, Jim, it’s no rumour! Equally sad if the comment had included the thirties and forties as well …

    630 was the number, I was told, that went to post on Saturday. That was everyone, 40km, 80km and 125km. All came home too, with no accidents en route.

  18. Was at the Ballina /Cbar game, A good few from the mayo panel on show. Good to see Regan back playing . James Durkan was a live wire through out the game. Douglas also played well especially when moved out to no. 11.Good battle between himself and Cafferkey in the first half. Vaughan came on for last 15mins, you could tell he is just back training. Ballina were using the short kickout , a dangerous strategy at club level , Clarke looked a bit uneasy at times . A lot of talk at the game about the 4/5 lads cut from the mayo panel this week. No real surprise’s. Any official statements in the local papers? I don’t want to break the rules by naming names but don’t think its just rumours.

  19. Was at the ballagh aughamore game went especially to see how Hanley is going and to a lesser extent boland. Hanley played as sweeper so got on alot of ball but seems still a bit rusty. He looked fit and athletic as you would expect on what was a wet greasy pitch but he just looked a bit kind of cumbersome or near awkward. His foot passing looked a bit slow but his hand passing was good and accurate off both hands. Now it would be hard to judge on yesterday alone as I said with the condition of the pitch plus the game itself as aughamore were terrible in the first half and ballagh were 8 points up at ht and sat back and defended in the second half and were actually poor themselves but I cannot see Hanley having any impact against Galway in just 5 weeks but I’m sure in time he will be a big plus. On the rest on show boland tried hard maybe too hard at times took a few poor shots but at least kept showing and trying. He was started full forward which was a waste as they needed him on ball so after he was moved out to cf he came more into it although he was then picked up by akram who was very good. Still boland was probably there best player along with David Kenny in the first half and Kenny Feeny in the second. Freeman very poor was actually at fault for the deciding goal as he didn’t follow his man no.7. Wet pitch with hits going in doesn’t suit him.Andy was quite playing out around the middle and played in some nice ball to the inside forwards. In fairness to David drake who is often derided he was good especially in the second half and would have stood out as a county player. Best player on the field and the difference between the teams was Barry regan bull strong won great ball and numerous frees plus kicked about 7 points. He was the best club forward in mayo for years pity he could never get to them levels at county level.
    On a side note you would have to laugh was listening to the mad West reporter from the match and he was raving about Hanley being the best player on the field priceless what do they be watching.

  20. Culmore, I’d be fairly certain that Hanley will be part of the championship panel and that he will play a significant part during the summer. He’s a professional athlete so will be ready to go, prob a little rusty regarding the skills but he wasn’t done that long, Aussie rules is a hard running game which suits playing for Mayo.

    Size 5. There’s no need mentioning who I and isn’t on the panel yet, I’m sure an official announcement of the championship panel will be made soon enough. So people believe it’s an open panel this year, I don’t think that was made offical, regardless I can see Rochford cutting it down to 32 with a few development players included for training.

  21. Agreed, Mayomad and thanks Size 5 for not naming names. If it’s official word will come out soon enough. There was a fairly big squad assembled for the League (which had to be the case given all the injuries) so it’s only natural that the numbers would be reduced a bit for championship. Tough on the lads who don’t make the cut but that’s the way it is.

  22. Good report Blondie, that’s how I saw it. It will take Hanley time to get up to speed football wise, but will he be able to come on in games and kick a few points when under pressure, not so sure.

  23. On the overall you’d figure James Durcan has put his hand up as the most immediate option to bolt into the match day panel. He is a twin of Paddy Durcan and now bulked up a bit. We have 120 minutes action of him being the standout player in his club games. These were not exactly kickabouts in the back garden and he was the clear match winner in both. We know that we lack pace and James is nere on equally as quick as Paddy. For me it’s a no brainer, we’ll be foolish to ignore the potential of James Durcan looking towards the high summer.

  24. I was at Ballaghaderreen match I thought Drake should have got a black card in the 2nd half blatant pull down on a man going through on goal it wouldn’t have affected the result but it would show a bit of consistency from the ref he seemed more interested in clearing the official from behind the goal that was retrieving the ball fast .With the game itself a good freetaker is worth a lot Regan scored all his frees Aghamore tried 3 different kickers and none of them could get to terms with the conditions.

  26. Was at the Breaffy vs Kiltane game on Sunday. Strange enough game where Breaffy never really got going but Kiltane did very well to keep touch, not give up and bring it back to 3 points from 9 down, including missing a penalty. Kiltane’s midfield were good and they kicked good long range points. Bit disappointed with Mikey Sweeney.

    Strangest start to a 2nd half in particular I’ve seen in a while. Hennelly kicked a great 45 after a scandalous decision from the linesman/umpire, keeper kicks ball out long, Kiltane foul, Hennelly comes up kicks the free over the bar. Repeat this X4 until he misses one and Kiltane finally win a kick-out!!

    Anyway, county players-wise Seamus was very poor I thought, Aiden ok but not very influential. Conor their best player again, scored about 1-6 (1-2 from play). Hennelly was decent, a few loose KOs, but very good from placed balls (0-5 I think). Ruane worked hard but no great impact. Breaffy were missing a couple in defence I just think they’re missing at least 3 good clubs players to win a county title, especially in defence.

  27. One thing I have to say looking at he results is how competitive they were. The only games that looked lopsided was the Castlebar and Westport wins over Ballina and Crossmolina, That intermediate group 1 is a tough group compared with the rest.

  28. @mayomessi, I agree with you there. It’s an oft used Cliche but in Senior and Intermediate there really are very few handy games anymore.

  30. It sounds trite but football has moved on a lot since 2014 when Cian was playing minor. Yes he is very athletic, but even the more experienced Rice College players like Mark Moran are further down the track in terms of knowing how to play modern football. By modern football I mean the heavy pattern repetition of where players move to when either attacking or defending. So in my view great that Cian is back, but it will be 2019 before he is up to speed.

  31. Genuinely enjoy reading your posts very much JP , your knowledge is very impressive but ive a feeling you could be wrong re Hanley. Time will tell.

  32. Cian Hanley IMO should be showing well for his club before included on the Mayo championship panel. Very athletic and coming from a professional game isn’t enough to be included, lets be honest Hanley hasn’t played a county game since 2014 and that was a minor game he has been mostly injured for the last 4 years also. Mayo are top 3 side and not Leitrim or Sligo in other words it should be a lot harder to force your way onto the Mayo championship panel.

  33. Was at Ballinrobe v Ardnaree game on Saturday (brobe won by 6) and Neale v Mitchells B on Sunday (draw). No standout players in the Ballinrobe Ardnaree game except for Evan O’Brien. He is very young but very well built. He is mobile and seems to have a good football brain. Ballinrobe could have won by more but having said that Ardnaree’s forwards performed poorly. Their shooting was terrible and indeed could have had a few goals. Ballinrobe would be a different team if they had Vaughan (transferred) and Darren McDonnell (injured). The Neale game was tight and both teams may feel that they left this game after them. Neale very strong forwards but their backs need to tighten up. Mitchells played formula football and indeed could do with opening up a small bit. They also lacked physicality.

  34. Was anyone at the Moy Davitts v Garrymore game yesterday? How is Brian Reape playing these days?

  35. Wide ball so so I felt. Done some goid things but some bad wides also. Still young and very strong so hope there still

  36. Brian Reape scores two points from play. Brian Heneghan & Sean Kelly impressed me more. Moy Davitts have good young forwards and can feral Disappointed to get nothing out of game, Caolan Crowe missed the game through illness and Shane Nally played at wing back. Seen him play better but still had a big impact on the game

  37. Hi Willie Joe….very well done on the cycle that’s a super achievement….hope you do many more.

    Kind Regards
    Martin the Dub

  38. Cheers lads. I presume Harrison wasn’t back yet for Aghamore?

    That would mean apart from him, Cillian and Leeroy we’ve a clean bill of health in the run up to Galway.

  40. I’d have to agree that Hanley won’t be Mayo team ready until 2019. It would be different maybe if he got a whole pre season FBD the lot. He’s coming back in when the lads have had 6 months full training. Keep him in the panel and be PATIENT with him folks.
    I was at the Castlebar Ballina game and the Breaffy Kiltane game. My god Castlebar routed Ballina. Durcan looked good alright. He’s worth a look. Breaffy midfield worryingly were second best. John Reilly from Kiltane gave them plenty of it.
    Watched the Rice college game online very unlucky, Eoghan McLoughlin put in and I don’t say this lightly a ‘heroic’ performance. He’s a Keeganesque like player with a big engine and big heart. One to look out for in the future.

  41. Yes Clubman51 – i said the exact same thing eoghan mcloughlin reminds me of a young Leeroy. A mighty performance from the leaving cert student. His older brother Oisin is an excellent player too.

  42. Clubman51, where you getting 6months training from, Mayo started back training in January, three months ago, Cian has had over 4 years of professional training. Cian didn’t come home suddenly to spend the summer in the bog, I’m sure the conversation was had with Rochford, He is attending training, he’s working for Andy in Castlebar. Cian is on the panel no question. Kennelly walked into the Kerry team having been away for a hell of a lot longer than Cian, saame with Marty Clarke. The transition back to galeic football isn’t as big as some seem to think.

  43. I tend to agree Mayomad, You dont just forget how to play a game uv played for most of your life. Im hoping he can be an asset for us. Basically the more training and game time he gets the better.

  44. Hanley showed for a lot of ball didn’t mind the rough and tumble he lost some ball but so did everyone else it was a wet pitch and it made a few heavy showers during the game he didn’t have any shot at goal he has bulked up well and I would like to see how he progresses in the next five weeks Harrison not togged yesterday is a worry with Galway coming up.

  45. Cian was a stand out player for us at Minor grade no question, however, I do agree with those who feel it’s going to be 2019 before we could hope to see any appearances in the green and red. He wasn’t playing first team football down under – the amount of rookie game time he was fit to partake in was limited over that 3yr period so where he has been on the overall development curve would still be somewhat questionable. Having him back in Mayo is only a good thing and hopefully he can get his game up to the standard required of senior intercounty level in the not too distant future.

  46. Mayomad if you think the Mayo players were on the beach in November sipping on Margaritas your wrong. They all had individual running and weights programmes. Officially didn’t meet until January. I’ve heard it from a very good source that Cian had a lot of muscular imbalances and injuries brought back from Oz and has had to do a lot of work with the medical teams and s&c coachs to correct them problems. We have to be patient with him and not put too much pressure on him. 4 years is a long time away from GAA. Sure Tadgh Kennelly did it but look at Tommy Walsh. The same player did not come back as which left. Also Cian played his first championship game for ballagh ever on Sunday. Give him this season to bed in and sort himself out and unleash him next season.

  47. Thanks Reekview – interesting remarks on how he actually performed as distinct from speculation about what he might and might not do.

  48. To add to the comments about the Breaffy v Kiltane match, Tommy Conroy was very impressive. A real leader for kiltane

  49. JP I agree with you re James Durkan up to a point. I have always enjoyed watching him play. The thing for me is that I always felt he was better than some of the forwards that appeared to be first choice for Castlebar, and I never got my head around this. Granted he appears to be first choice now. I have seen him being introduced for lads that would not score in a brothel and he would be all action and score some lovely points in the last 10 minutes or so.in the half forward line. Perhaps its confidence thing or something else. I would expect to see him feature in the FBD next year if they are not Croke Park bound.

  50. Nothing to excite re potential Co prospects.. ??
    was at Cbar v Ballina on Sat and Ballagh v Aghamore Sunday
    Several posts above have been overly enthusiastic IMO re James Durcan and Cian Hanleys prospects to deliver @ Senior inter County level this year.. huge gulf between playing Senior club championship and against the top Inter County teams esp.
    Yes James Durcan has improved and has potential. pace, direct, and bulked up considerably but his finishing still too inconsistent tho not without potential..
    Any forward wit County aspiration should be comfortable using both feet..

    Cian Hanley did very well Sunday on a dreadful pitch but to expect him to play a role for Mayo so soon after his return from sojourn down under is unfair and unrealistic.
    Cian has ability to use both feet ,still a problem for numerous players on current panel. Sharioze Akram stood out for me, His first touch, tackling awareness, and reading of game greatly improved.he was always an excellent athlete blesses wit pace. A possible bolter ???

  51. Lads does anyone think any kiltimagh lads deserve too be looked at they are an up and coming side

  52. Re Cian Hanley,.. He has been involved in professional sports for almost 4 years…. Nobody else on the Mayo panel, management or trainers has this different type of experience…. At worst he would be an Asset to the Mayo Senior Panel , even if he currently had two broken legs… He thanked doesn’t… He has been around first class athletes, professional coaches, seen and heard more than most at such a young age. … He may have to earn his place on the playing field for Mayo, but a young man can improve an awful lot in a short space of time….. I can think of established player’s in the Mayo set up, who improved enormously in a few weeks last year… The name that comes to mind from 2017, is Jason Doherty who ended up with his best season ever in the Green and Red, but the start of his season didn’t look so rosy… I have no doubt but that Cian Hanley could deliver something for Mayo in the 2018 championship….. As for James Durcan…. Likewise I can also see, Paddy’s twin brother (although not identical).. Thankfully James has the same electric pace of Paddy,.. You can’t coach pace, and to be a top class forward nowadays it’s an essential ingredient… James won’t lack confidence…. You know, contrary to the many paid pundits have said about us…. We are bringing in new young blood into the team…. When all our established players are back fit to go, and our new kids on the block, rairing to go and well able to do the job as well ,… Stephen Rochford will have a job of work on his hands as to just who will start?…. The sort of problem any manager loves!

  54. Just re Tadgh Kennelly coming back. He did that long enough ago that it was easier to fit in.
    If he came back now he’d be lost in a game. He wouldn’t have played enough of what we see now. Watch a game and realize how pattern heavy it is, especially when counter attacking or zonally defending.

  55. Id have to agree with JP on Kennelly. The harsh truth about lads going to OZ is they often don’t come back the same player as that left. Whatever about the similarities they are two different sports. If Hanley played two years of intercounty and club with Ballagh and then left for OZ when he was 20 it would be a different story. His first club championship game ever was last Sunday.
    It’s a great experience training in a professional environment but playing county football is virtually the same thing. The Mayo team train like professionals 6 days a week anyways. I hope Rochford keeps him in the panel for the summer regardless.

  56. We should remember that Cian Hanley’s brother passed away last year after illness so it would be great to just let him get on with his football without putting too much pressure on him. It probably just shows the dearth of talent we have of young players up front when there is so much talk about a player who is only back in the country a few months. So best of luck to him for the future and if he does come good then we should be looking at that as a bonus rather than depending on him to do something special for us in the months ahead.

    Its a pity really that in the last few league campaigns we still have not unearthed any new out and out scorer type forwards. Maybe they are just not out there?

    Look at what Dublin did this year in terms of bringing Brain Howard and Colm Basquel into their team right from the beginning of their league campaign. Giving them plenty of game time. Then in the league final when Kevin McManamon was not going well, he was taken off at half-time and replaced by Colm Basquel who popped over two points in the second-half. We are probably still missing that, having players to come on and pop over a few points, which could be the difference between a one point loss and a one point victory. Dublin did the same last year too with Niall Scully and Con O’Callaghan, who scored that goal against us in the All-Ireland final. In saying that, Dublin have such strength in depth, its very hard to compete with that.

    We have seen in the league that we have added two new options at the back in Eoin O’Donoghue and Caolan Crowe. Maybe Adam Gallagher will give us something different up front, Boland and Loftus are one year older too. We could almost do with two Andy Moran type players and two Conor Loftus type players. An Andy Moran type player to get us into the game early with a few points and another to be still fresh late in the game coming off the bench. A Conor Loftus to make the pass that he produced to set-up Andy for a goal chance against Donegal and another to take a goal chance like he did against Derry last year, late in the game, again after coming off the bench.

    @Wal, you mentioned about Tommy Conroy, is that Tommy ‘Goals’ Conroy? If it is, then it would be great to see him back playing again.

  57. Im sure everybody saw the tweet from official Galway GAA last night

    “Resounding agreement @Galway_GAA meeting that Galway football is back dining at the top table. Kudos to the formidable squad that Kevin Walsh has assembled, not forgetting an emphatic club All Ireland win for @CorofinGAA. Roll on May 13th”

    Id say Kevin Walsh was delighted with that.

  58. Comparing Cian Hanley to Kennelly is unfair. Kennelly was a top player, a premiership champion and household name in Australia. If Pearce came back and played for 2018 with Mayo, then that would be a fair comparison with Kennelly. Cian should be probably compared with paddy brophy of Kildare, who had a very similar level of experience and success to Cian in Australia. Give him time to settle in.

  59. Mayo dunphy
    As far as I’m aware that’s it for club championship till mayo are out. It’s a real pity as consistently good performances in championship football is the only way for players to impress and break into the panel.

  60. For those of yea that don’t know, the Calgon goes in on top of the washing powder in the left compartment of the drawer in the washing machine. She explained that to me last week before she set off to visit her family for a couple of weeks. “The Comfort goes in to the compartment beside it”. “F**ks sake” I said to myself. All I wanted was a few fresh T shirts.

    And then I came in the door last night from work and stared at the kitchen table in horror. The lovely pot of flowers the neighbour gave us is on the table looking like someone with a good appetite sat in it for about 6 hours. I forgot to water them. I run the tap on them and say a decade of the rosary. Maybe I’ll tell her the cat pissed on them or that there was some rare African plant virus while she was away.

    I have the 2 cats fed twice already this morning eventhough they’re supposed to be on a diet. They’re standing on the table meowing their heads off and staring at me. They know she’s away. I cannot understand cat language but I’m pretty sure they’re saying “You haven’t a clue what your at”.

    Anyway she’s back at the weekend and the Calgon goes in on top of the washing powder in the left compartment.

  61. I see there’s a heading in the Mayo News about players cut from the panel? Anyone have it to hand as to who they are?

  64. Revellino. That is good to hear. Great news for Mayo.

    My only advice to you is to keep a close eye on the hens for the rest of the week. I remember one time having my breakfast in the house and dipped a bit of bread into a grand looking bit of yellow mustard on the table. Then a few seconds later while chewing the bread i realized

    “that is not mustard, them fecking hens have being up on the table again”.

  65. @Behindememylines

    Everyone did not see that tweet for 2 reasons:

    1. Everyone is not on Twitter
    2. It makes no difference to most people

  66. Looking at Mayo GAA website and I note that some of the club games at the weekend have not yet been fixed as of Tuesday afternoon. Not a great way to treat players/supporters/mentors who have a life outside of football and may need to make plans.

  68. @Wal, cheers for that, as you said its good to see Tommy back, best wishes to him for the future.

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