Photo: @MayoGAA
Hurricane Ophelia is approaching our shores rapidly but before it makes landfall it’s time for a quick gallop through the weekend’s club championship action.
In the senior football championship there are now three teams left standing. Ballintubber are in the final, as they followed up their quarter-final replay win over Hollymount/Carramore in midweek with a demolition job on Claremorris in today’s semi-final at MacHale Park.
Tubber hit the N17siders with three early goals and they were out the gate well before the break, by which time they led by 3-10 to 0-2. They won in the finish by 3-16 to 2-9, with Stephen O’Malley (who he?) their top scorer on 2-5. Match report from The 42 is here.
In the day’s opening match at MacHale Park, meanwhile, defending champions Castlebar Mitchels were held to a draw by surprise packets Garrymore. Mitchels led for most of the hour – a goal from Danny Kirby at the start of the second half put them six up – and they were still in front, by a single point, deep in injury time. A pointed free from difficult angle by Jimmy Killeen, however, ensured the contest ended all-square. Match report on that one from The 42 is here.
The replay has been fixed for Wednesday night at MacHale Park (throw-in 8pm). If you can’t make it there, the match will be streamed live on Mayo GAA TV.
Earlier on this afternoon Aghamore secured their top flight status for next year. They got the better of Davitts by 1-14 to 0-10 at Ballyhaunis in today’s replayed relegation play-off. Davitts now move onto a last chance saloon relegation decider against Ballinrobe.
Whichever of those two loses their senior status for 2018 will be replaced by either Bohola Moy Davitts or Kiltimagh. On Saturday Moy Davitts booked their place in the IFC decider with a win over Islandeady by 2-11 to 0-13, while on the same day Kiltimagh saw off Louisburgh by 3-10 to 1-11.
Finally, congrats to Breaffy who this afternoon were crowned Division 1A SFL winners, following their 1-11 to 0-12 win over Knockmore.
Colm Gannon in the Mayo Advertiser has more detail on all these games in his round-up – here.
Was listening to the game’s on the radio today. What was the story with Mitchell ‘s getting awarded a point that was a wide. Michael d was giving out the terrible miss when the umpires flag was raised. Michael d’s reaction was that he needed to go to Specsavers
I have no memory of that Richie. Don’t even remember fans or players being annoyed at a decision?
Which point?
I think it was Stenson’s point in the 2nd half. It looked like the correct decision I thought.
The ball looked wide – everybody in my section agreed including several Castlebar supporters.
Barry Moran & Jason Gibbons look like they still have plenty to offer Mayo & together with Nally look like they offer a much better option off the bench for Mayo than subs used at present, These 3 if used effectively with Loftus could make a real difference to our challenge next year & give the squad much needed strength.
Fair enough but was hoping that I’d hear of a few new names besides Barry and Jason … Anyone else catch the eye .?
Surely this O Malley kid hitting 2-5 from play puts his hand up for a look in the FBD at least? Probably a bit young yet though..
He looked class against Holly Carra too on Wednesday. Definitely one to look for in the final
I don’t remember that point at all lads but I was opposite the stand, maybe it just didn’t look contentious from my angle.
Thought Barry looked great today as well actually. Distribution was outstanding
Thought that point was fine at the time, a few people around me questioned it. Barry Moran lucky to stay on the field after a clumsy tackle broke Myles Fallons nose. On the Castlebar side, James Durcan impressed me once again. Neil Douglas will need to up his performance if Mitchels are to win Title. Garrymore are really game but just lack a few players to make the breakthrough.
Claremorris were so tactically naive, it is really hard to fathom how they beat Breaffy. Jason Gibbons and Alan Dillon have been the two standout players of the last week for me. Diarmuid & Cillian really good today, but in truth they would have had harder training sessions.
I think James Durcan has all the attributes to be an inter County wing forward. Has serious pace and athleticism, similar to Paddy, and has a very smooth kicking style. Probably a bit light at the moment but that can be worked on.
Johnny Maughan has been very impressive as well on the 2 occasions I saw him. A fast, aggressive defender. Scored a point today too.
Attended all 4 semi final games in senior and intermediate this weekend.Some players who caught the eye and could be called up.
In yesterdays games for Kiltimagh against Louisburgh I thought Cillian Finn really impressed at No 5 made numerous runs with sum serious pace and kicked 2 points and sum nice passes.I wonder is he young enough for Mayo under 20s next season?Watch out for him in final.
Brian Reape was the only player really on show of county standard for Moy Davitts against Islandeady.I am sure we will be seeing him line out for Mayo next season after him opting out this season due to a J1 trip to America this summer.
In todays 1st game of Castlebar v Garrymore I thought Shane Nally was the best footballer on the field ahead of even Paddy Durcan.he has so much more ability than sum other subs that do come on for Mayo.Would like to see him get a full 7 games in next years national league.Jamie Oates at full back had a great battle with Neil Douglas today.Oates and Patrick Hession really impressed in that full back line for Garry could be good enough for the Mayo Under 20 squad next year.Ger McDonagh and James Durcan impressed for Castlebar.
In the 2nd match it was all Ballintubber .Gibbons Dillion and the 2 O’Connors played really well but star of the show was Stephen O’Malley with his tally of 2-5.Defo should get a call up to Mayo under 20 squad if he was only minor last year don’t remember seeing his name with Mayo minors tho.For Claremorris Conor Diskin showed well at full forward today in a day that they wer well beaten ,we will probably see him feature for Mayo under 20s next year also.
A bit like Holly/Carra v Balintubber, I hope Garrymore have not missed their chance. They were full value for the draw and probably should have won it as all the momentum was with them in the final 15 mins.
Ballintubber showed yesterday why they can not be taken lightly. Claremorris a young team who were probably being talked up a bit much after beating a Breaff team that didn’t turn up? They are young though so plenty of time to regroup.
Stay safe out there today folks.
Lovely few words from Aiden re his teammate RIP..such a gent.
Thanks for all updates on yesterdays matches-much appreciated. Stay safe all. Even in midst of Hurricane, i still had to check in on this Blog!Obsessed.com!!
Ballintubber certainly have a lot of very good players with a few exceptional individuals. They will be hard to stop.
Garrymore had a great second half and Jimmy Killeens last minute free is as good as I ever saw at any level.
The intermediate final will be between Kiltimagh and Moy Davitts – arch rivals and close neighbours. This will be close and whoever can cope best with the intense rivalry and pressure is likely to come out on top.
Ballintubber looked the best kickpassing and teamwork side.
Extraordinary club given the size of their pick.
who will win the replay be very interesting the commentator on mid west is hilarious.
Actually lads, any Garrymore people on here? When ye came into the pitch yesterday the team ran straight to the Sportlann/McHale Road corner and started applauding towards somebody over there.
Any idea what that was about?
Club Chairman very ill at the moment. He was in attendance yesterday.
He was in the white car parked at that corner of the ground.
As REDCOL says, unfortunately he is very ill.
That gesture by the Garry lads shows what the GAA at grassroots level is all about – especially in small rural clubs. It’s people like that chairman – don’t know his name – that are the real heroes of the GAA. Dispite his illness he still wanted to be there. I am sure it was a great inspiration for the Garry lads. That is so far removed from the Gooch and his corporate dinner.
When we used play Garrymore thought they had a great clubhouse, bar and after match tea/sandwiches.
Think they developed a gym? Their players look well built off the results of it.
Not sure about the gym but we loved the bar on our visit’s , especially if we won .. Great club and wish them well ..would absolutely hammer the shit out of each other but all was forgotten at the final whistle .
Spotted the car alright lads, dad thought it was someone in the car alright. Great gesture. Best wishes to the Garrymore chairman.
Any word on when the senior and intermediate finals will take place?
I’m hearing great reports about the Garrymore corner back Jamie Oates. He was supposed to have kept Evan Regan and Neil Douglas very quiet in the last two games. Does anyone know this fellas story. Age/height/what he had for breakfast etc?
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/sean-hughes-i-would-have-done-anything-for-ireland-except-live-there-1.1736398
As a complete aside I thought this was a wonderfully written piece that culminates with his encounter with a Mayo supporter that i thought was worth putting up here – (the rest has nothing to do with GAA before people start crying foul!)
clubman,
hes 6 foot 6, 24 years old and was actually dropped by the all blacks of new zealand for eating too much Flahavans Oatmeal for breakfast, ( the nickname has stuck on him) Apart from that i cant say much else about him.
I was looking back at some of the games Mayo played this summer, we are truly living in the golden times, even without the medals or trophies. Keegan and co are once offs.
In the Garrymore Game V Mitchels I thought Cathal Slattery for Garrymore looked really
good.
He did well for his goal. Nothing easy about gathering that long handpass, bursting on and slipping it under the keeper.
Slattery only about 18/19. Good footballer
Jamie Oates is on the carras u21 team this year Slattery was on the ballinrobe school team that won all Ireland he scored 2 great points against Charlestown under pressure at the end when Charlestown were closing the gap on the scoreboard
att. CLUBMAN 51 jamie oates is a tough hard corner back who will do a great marking job on any forward he is asked to mark. he is very strong and does not engage in any cynical stuff.he is not flashy but he is brave and does his job well.
Sorry folks if it’s a bit off topic but do any subscribers to mayo TV on here know if you can cast the stream to the TV?
I used HDMI worked very well
HDMI works perfectly from laptop to TV – great picture quality. I’m sure chromecast would work as well.
Off topic a little but that is huge news about Cora going to Oz. Didn’t think for a second she would. Fair play to her but the Mayo ladies must be sickened. I, for one, am shocked.
Delighted to see her get a shot at going to OZ. Without being disrespectful, age isn’t on here side in terms of breaking new ground like that. I know there was a lot of talk about Sarah Rowe making the move as she is only in her early 20’s. I hope it goes well for Cora. Her gain is Carnacon and Mayo’s loss.
Great news for Cora,fair play to her.
Jimbo, I agree with you that young Oates is a good tight marking corner back , wouldn’t necessarily agree that he isn’t a bit cynical off the ball. Im pretty sure Regan and Douglas would say the same. I think he does what he has to do . Will be interesting if Mitchels line out the same way tonight.
I don’t think anyone would begrudge Cora the chance to play professionally in Australia. She owes Mayo absolutely nothing, it’s a great opportunity for her and I wish her all the very best of luck with her move.
When you go through the senior and upper half intermediate teams most of them you can make a case for them improving.
Senior is going to be some dogfight in terms of making quarter and semi finals over the next few years.
Looking forward to the replay tonight. Pitch at MacHale Park taken some punishment, huge hat tip to those keeping it in constantly playable!
Castlebar to step it up a notch I think MayoMark. I expect plenty goals.
Would think that Castlebar would push on tonight but was very impressed with Garrymore’s set up and structure at the back. Castlebar very flat for a few games now. A few of the big names look a yard off the pace. Night games under lights can turn into a real war of attrition, Garrymore look well able to handle the physical side of things. Castlebar need to get out of the blocks early and force Garrymore to chase the game a bit. If Garrymore can keep their goal intact don’t rule out a bit of extra time!
Have been impressed with all of garrymores full back line however one thing they are lacking is height wouldn’t be surprised to see more of Kirby in there tonight and maybe even big Barry
Lot of people getting a bit over excited about cora’s move. It’s an 8 week season folks. Only 7 games I think in February and March. She’ll be home and hosed in carnacon again by Easter.
She’s taking extended leave from work for 3 months or so. Handy little earner. Excellent opportunity and why wouldnt she take it? Have no fear though – she will be in a Mayo jersey again next summer I expect.
Would agree Kieran, Kirby was in there one on one a few times on Sunday but the ball didnt come in to him. Think Big Barry might start in there to give Garrymore plenty to think about.
Was looking back at some of summers games..we truly are blessed to have such fantastic players. Such a pity we and them especially havent an ireland medal. It is So Cruel. What they have given for the cause is unreal. Best of luck Cora..you legend.
Great for Cora to get this experience..Escaping an Irish winter is just the cherry on top!
Thank you Cantini,great piece by Sean may he rest in peace
Routine enough in the end tonight. Big match Sunday, it could be a great one!!