There was a raft of football and hurling action on within the county this weekend, with a second round of matches in the Michael Walsh Leagues in the former while in the latter the first shots were fired in this year’s county Championship.
Let’s start with that SHC action from last night. Four teams are contesting the TJ Tyrell Cup this year but yesterday evening confirmed that, in reality, there are only two teams in serious contention for county honours.
Tooreen have been top dogs within the county since 2017 and they made short work of Castlebar Mitchels in yesterday evening’s rematch of last year’s county final. The defending champions kept finding the range from first to last, running out winners by 2-32 to 1-5.
Neighbours Ballyhaunis, meanwhile, also enjoyed a comprehensive win. They beat Westport by 2-15 to 0-7, a result that sets them up for a semi-final rematch against Castlebar, who recorded a shock win over them at the same stage of the competition last year. Tooreen take on Westport in the other penultimate round tie.
Onto the football and here are the weekend results from Round 2 of the Michael Walsh Senior League:
The Mayo News reports (here) that Cillian O’Connor made his long awaited comeback in Ballintubber’s game against Charlestown. The all-time leading scorer in the football Championship last lined out in a competitive match in Ballintubber’s defeat to Corofin in November of last year but he was back to his old scoring ways last night, racking up eight points, including two from play.
You’ll notice, by the way, that the Garrymore/Moy Davitts match in Group 3 didn’t go ahead. Moy Davitts issued a statement in relation to this – it’s here. Thankfully, all appears to be okay with them, which is good to know.
Here are the Round 2 results from the Michael Walsh Intermediate League:
And here are the Round 2 results from the Michael Walsh Junior League:
There are a number of club lotto draws on tonight. Mayo GAA have done a great job in recent weeks promoting all of these on social media and you may find the one relating to your own club either here or here.
Next weekend, of course, sees the start of the action in the club football Championships. Ahead of that we’re assembling the crew of the Mayo News football podcast tomorrow evening to record our first episode in a while. In it we’ll be previewing the start of the club Championships as well as chatting more generally on where things are at. That episode will be online on Wednesday.
Finally, you’ll have noticed that the photo at the top doesn’t relate to club football in Mayo but was instead snapped at last night’s Dublin SFC match between Ballyboden St Enda’s and Clontarf. Those with particularly good eyesight will have clocked Chris Barrett’s sartorial choice in shorts for his Dublin champo debut with Clontarf.
You can take the man out of Mayo but Mayo will forever be in the man. Style on you, Chrissy.
Just to confirm – Boyle did play last night?
Astonishing if he did.
Watched the stream of Ballintubber – Charlestown.
My take away points.
1. What an awesome pitch and facility Ballintubber have now. Even to the detail of the thick 10 foot hedges around the pitch. The pitch looks in great condition too.
2. Cillian and Diarmuid moving well. Cillian is as slim as I’ve seen him whilst still looking strong. He’s lost those heavy legs and was able to get out showing for ball in front. Michael Plunkett is such a precise passer, are we missing a trick with him maybe as a half forward sub who sets up late marks. All his passes hit the receiver in the bread basket.
3. Charlestown I think are in heavy training. They simply blew a gasket on 50mins.
4. Jack Reilly is in Mayo bolter potential shape for 2021. It gets thrown around about players but he genuinely looks to have a stone of solid muscle put on. I didn’t recognise him at first.
5. I don’t see Ballintubber surviving a fit, pacey team with a deep panel. For me right now Westport are my dark horses for the county title. They put 1-22 on Ballaghadereen a week out from Championship.
6. I don’t see that Castlebar will have added enough to compensate for being a year older with their old stock.
7. Well handled Moy Davitts their Covid suspect case. Report says tested and negative. Kudos all round.
Great to read that Boyle and Jason Doherty back in action. That is some going by Boyle given how serious the injury appeared at first.
Where did you stream the game from JP? Would be great to see a game over the weekend.
Erris Head – Mayo GAA TV will be streaming live action this weekend. I’ll post details on this later on.
@Erris head, it was a Mayo GAA tv on YouTube test run broadcast for free.
Just an update on timing for the podcast – we had some technical problems this evening so we’re recording it tomorrow evening now and it’ll be online on Thursday.
any new players coming to notice in first few league games, especially a goalkeeper and a fullback.
Great stuff JP.
Was Paul Towey playing for Charlestown?
Paul Towey was playing. He did fine, but in the second half no ball was going in.