The opening round fixtures in this year’s club Championships take place this coming weekend (full details and related info here) and so, ahead of the big throw-in, I thought it would be fun to have a quick poll.
It makes sense to focus on the Senior Championship to gauge what the sentiment is like relating to thesixteen contestants at this level before the action gets underway. And, no, this isn’t just a cheap stunt to run a poll that features my own home club, Aghamore, at the top of the list.
Right, then, time to get voting.
Who'll win the Moclair Cup?
- Castlebar Mitchels (27%, 222 Votes)
- Westport (23%, 191 Votes)
- Ballina Stephenites (13%, 108 Votes)
- Knockmore (10%, 84 Votes)
- Belmullet (4%, 34 Votes)
- Ballintubber (4%, 32 Votes)
- Garrymore (3%, 25 Votes)
- Charlestown Sarsfields (3%, 22 Votes)
- The Neale (3%, 21 Votes)
- Balla (2%, 15 Votes)
- Breaffy (2%, 15 Votes)
- Aghamore (2%, 14 Votes)
- Ballaghaderreen (1%, 12 Votes)
- Ballyhaunis (1%, 12 Votes)
- Mayo Gaels (1%, 11 Votes)
- Claremorris (1%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 825
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Mayo Excusive Junior Football Championship Round 1.
Group 1:
Northern Gaels V Ballycastle
An first game for the new amalgamation of Kilfian & Lacken this year and they having a decent season with no cups winning promotion to Division 3 and losing the North JFC B final to Bonniconlon B. Joe Kelly and the Bolands players will be the main men.
Ballycastle are having a disastrous year relegation to Division 4 and only won 1 game all year. Not sure is the Forde brothers still available.
Kevin Healy & Ciaran McDonnell are the key players.
Northern Gaels by 3
Tourmakeady V Shrule/Glencorrib
Both team’s operating from Division 3 and met already in Lough mask with Shrule/Glencorrib winning 2-6 0-14.
Tourmakeady are just a stable Junior team while Shrule/Glencorrib would be one of my favourite to win this year JFC with Evan Cawley, Ronan Warde & Kevin Ryan to watch out.
Shrule/Glencorrib by 5
Group 2:
Cill Chomain V Ardagh
Cill Chomain have lost the last 2 finals and remain one of the favourites for the JFC.
2022 Mayo FBD Justin Healy is out for the year a huge loss. Still good forwards in veteran Derek Moran, David Walker and Jason Murray.
Ardagh have been flying since James Carr return from Mayo duty winning the Mayo SFL Division 3 title recently. The Carrs brothers, Stephen Rochford and Lee Traynor key men.
Cill Chomain by 4.
Group 3:
Eastern Gaels V Kilmovee Shamrocks
2 local rivals go at it.
Eastern Gaels lost the quarter final last year by Shrule/Glencorrib and narrowly avoided the relegation playoffs in Division 3 but are in the MW Junior cup final.
Kilmovee Shamrocks have been struggling in this level and narrowly missed out promotion back to Division 3.
Eastern Gaels by 5.
Group 4:
Ballycroy V Swinford (Venue Achill)
Ballycroy are holding there own for one of the smallest club in Mayo and will take great pride in playing for the jersey this weekend. Kevin Ginty, Stephen & Raymond Grealis key men.
Swinford who were hot favourites in last year JFC failed to get past the quarterfinals by losing to Killala after AET. Liam Moran key man for Swinford.
Remains to be seen whether Swinford good enough for the title.
Swinford by 5.
Moygownagh V Lahardane MacHales
Two north Mayo rivals.
Moygownagh another small club who have been struggling and reach last year Exclusive B final losing to Achill.
Oran Gallagher and Mayo masters Gary Carey still going strong for Moygownagh.
Lahardane return to Junior after 5 seasons in Intermediate will be aiming to get back up but they haven’t been playing well failing to come out of Division 3. Adrain Leonard back from injury Barry Leonard full back was playing in goals recently.
Lahardane MacHales by 8.
Well done Michael. Great knowledge on the club scene. Great for those of us living outside the county.
I think Knockmore will win the Moclair cup.
Great round up Michael Moran. You’ve named names too whic is interesting, because I’ve been pondering (and this is not completely unrelated to the Moclair Cup), why we haven’t seen for yonks, county panellists from:
Achill
Swinford
Ballycastle
Shrule
Any of the islands
Davitts V Parke/Keelouges/Crimlin
10 months ago Davitts should have been rewarded a replay after a draw relegation final V The Neale instead it went to penalties while Neale won but there was no panic getting the game out of the way and no team deserved to be relegated by foreign rule of penalties shootout.
Parke/K/C have lost midfielder Jack McLoughlin to injury. Ronan Carolan, Seanie Corcoran & Sean Sweeney main men up front.
Colm Boyle now corner forward and big Ronan McNamara is between the sticks.
Parke/K/C by 1
Islandeady V Bonniconlon
Islandeady return to Intermediate after a 2 year absence and during there previous stint in Intermediate 2012-2020 they were poor while I expected them to do better.
Veteran and former Mayo Peter Collins still going, Darragh Joyce up front and last year Mayo U20 goalkeeper Bryan O’Flaherty (excellent in last year JFC final).
Bonniconlon also have been very poor in Intermediate since 2004 with only once coming out of the group stages 2020 quarter final hammered by Hollymount/Carramore. Niall Egan is back from USA, Ronan Neary up front and Richard McKenzine in midfield.
Islandeady by 3.
Group 2:
Kilmeena V Ardnaree Sarsfields
An excellent 2021-2022 season for Kilmeena winning the All-Ireland JFC and eventually losing last year IFC final V Ballyhaunis.
Kilmeena had a good break to refresh for this year Jack Carney, Darragh Keaveaney and John McGlynn up front.
Ardnaree have been poor since promotion to IFC in 2016 and narrowly avoided relegation last year by Lahardane. Former Mayo player Michael Walsh and Martin Rafter main man.
Kilmeena by 4.
Kiltimagh V Louisburgh (Venue COE Bekan)
It’s been a poor year for both teams.
Kiltimagh have lost home advantage (Gilmartin Park under redevelopment) relegation from Division 1 hammered in every game failing to score a single goal. Need a big performances by Cillian Finn, Sean Walsh by long serving Brian Gallagher. Louisburgh just about avoided the Division 2 relegation playoffs. Padraig Prendergast (OZ) huge loss but Dylan Prendergast and Kevin Gibbons main men.
John Kelly back for a 2nd spell after a successful 1st spell winning the 2016 Mayo JFC.
Louisburgh by 1
Group 3:
Kiltane V Hollymount/Carramore
Kiltane struggled in last year IFC and badly missed former Mayo footballer Mikie Sweeney and Cathal Carey due to injuries but are both back.
Ultan Corrigan & John Reilly still going strong. Hollymount/Carramore with the Coens cousins and veteran Kevin Feerick & Conor Heneghan key players.
Kiltane by 2.
Burrishoole V Ballinrobe
Burrishoole having a poor year narrowly avoided relegation to Division 3 after beating a poor The Neale team. Fintan McManamon and recently retired Mayo player Jason Doherty main men.
Ballinrobe who are many experts favourite for this year IFC title. Evan O’Brien and Darren McDonald key players.
Ballinrobe by 3.
Group 4:
Crossmolina Deel Rovers V Kilmaine
Deel Rovers intermediate since 2019 have failed to get past beyond the quarterfinals stage each year. Jordan Flynn blossomed as a Mayo player need to bring his county form to club. Last year Mayo minor James Maheady with Fionan Duffy up front.
Kilmaine having a poor year relegation from Division 2 beating by Killala 6 points at home not good for morale. Oisin Mullen is huge loss but brother Jarlath Mullen is dangerous up front with Michael Hession.
Castlebar Mitchells B V Bohola Moy Davitts
To predict the IFC winners this year is hard to pick but to know who playing for Mitchells B outfit is even harder to know and a dangerous scenario for BMD. After all last year IFC champions Ballyhaunis were 9 points down by Mitchells by HT and finish the game with a draw and the final group game BMD only beat Mitchells by 1.
Lots of promising talents in Foxford with Cian McHale, Conor Reid and Brian Heneghan.
Bohola Moy Davitts by 3.
Mayo Senior Football Championship Round 1.
Group 1:
Breaffy V Ballina Stephenites
Breaffy I believe have miss the boat for winning the SFC having lost 4 finals in the past decade. Robert Hennelly transferred and new goalkeeper Jack Livingston is excellent replacement. Seamus O’Shea retired. Davitt Neary one of the new crop.
Ballina to go 1 step better from last year I believe they will be in the mix 1 year older and wiser with the Irwin’s, Evan Regan & Mikey Murray (if not injury)
Ballina Stephenites by 3.
Mayo Gaels V Balla
A true local derby clash and they both met in the 2020 IFC Quarter Final which Balla prevail so credit to both teams they are now Senior but one of them need to win to avoid relegation playoffs later on in this tough group.
Balla Barry Duffy and 2013-2016 minor/U21 winners Val Roughnan/Matty Flanagan. Mayo Gaels Ethan Henry and John Gallagher key men.
Mayo Gaels by 1.
Group 2:
Claremorris V Ballaghaderren
Claremorris a team who have been dominant at underage levels A titles failed to make any impact at Senior only 2 Semi Finals in the past 15 years 2008 and 2017. Ballaghaderren have fallen behind to since there 2019 final defeat. It’s a 50/50 game as both teams need to make a statement this year.
James Shaugnessy main man up front for Claremorris while Cian Hanley for Ballagaderren.
Claremorris by 3.
Westport V Charlestown Sarsfields
Westport have been putting up cricket scores in the league and with Lee Keegan back full time it would lift the club team standards at training. Charlestown are a hard championship team to beat and won’t roll over.
Charlestown with Paul Towey and Jack Mahon up front. Westport Moran’s brother Mark & Colm (who was ineligible for last year’s championship success) along with Killian Kilkelly and Co.
Westport by 5.
Group 3:
The Neale V Ballintubber
The Neale are having a torrid year relegation to Division 3 for next year and just about stayed up last year by winning on penalties V Davitts relegation final. Tommy Conroy should be ready along with Steven Conroy and long serving Sean Cosgrove.
Ballintubber still haven’t gone away from the pack with the O’Connors, Jason Gibbons, Stephen O’Malley and Michael Plunkett (if not Injury)
Ballintubber by 5.
Belmullet V Garrymore
Belmullet like Ardagh since James Carr and Ryan O’Donoghue returning to there respective clubs have boost the team morale having won the Division 2 title and ROD scoring 1-6 consistently. Fionn Ryan midfield and new rookie forward in Anthony Barrett.
Garrymore the 2nd longest Senior club in Mayo since 1969 with no shop or pub in the village it’s amazing achievement how a small club keep the standard up. They are hard beaten with the Nally brothers Trevor/Shane and the last 2 years beaten by eventual winners Knockmore & Westport.
Draw.
Group 4:
Knockmore V Castlebar Mitchells
Knockmore find Castlebar a true bogey team since Castlebar returned to Senior in 2006 Knockmore have failed to beat them in 9 meetings 8 defeats and 1 draw in 2007. Knockmore with the McHales crew David/Shane/Darren and Kieran King (if not injury).
Castlebar are quickly building a new team again with the Tuohy brothers, Paddy Heneghan and Ethan Gibbons.
Knockmore by 1.
Aghamore V Ballyhaunis
Aghamore 15th season as a Senior club and have been surviving there Senior status most seasons. Alan Freeman recently playing for B team Division 5 success so will he be available for this year. Fergal Boland I believe he should not been dropped by Mayo last year.
Ballyhaunis returned to Senior after a 7 year absence and nothing can motivate them more by playing local rivals in there own backyard with the Coyne brothers Jason/Jack and Morgan Lyons.
Ballyhaunis by 1.
I believe Aghamore will win the Moclair cup. Iknow, I know I`m biased. But I think they will beat
the Stephenites on penalties after a replay.
Fair play Michael. A good synopsis of what to expect the weekend.
Anyone know how lif you purchase a game on mayogaatv how long is it available to watch, thought i seen something about for 48 hours after the game but not sure
Great previews lads. Unbiased match reports next. Thanks
From what I have seen the best defence in the County is Knockmore.Mitchels couldnt get a sniff of them in the 1st half of the League Semi Final.The took the foot of the pedal in the 2nd half cause I think wernt really bothered with the final.A really strong Full forward line now of Orme, Hopkins and Naughton along with a water tight defence will deliver the Paddy Moclair back to Knockmore for the 3rd time in 4 years.But I really hope they push on now and have a right go in Connacht if they come up against Moycullen , or maybe even Corofin or Mountbellew both could catch Moycullen this year.The bookies favourites Westport for me might have lost that hunger they had last year and there attack can be got at and Knockmore are the very defence they will not like coming up against especially when the pitches get softer as the weeks go on.
@Achill 75 I like your last sentence about soft pitches.
A disgrace starting the championship so late and an even bigger disgrace if it is to accommodate students going to America.
evergreenandred. My heart says you’re right but my head says maybe not. However I think Michael Moran must have blown a fuse if he thinks ‘haunts will beat us! C’mon Aghamore.
https://mayogaa.com/news-detail/10087430/
Interesting to see Kilmaine have Oisin named on bench, must be hoping Geelong get knocked out early.
When look at Ballinas 6 forwards they really should be winning: Irwin, Murray, Tracey, McStay, Thornton and Regan. All bar Thornton are/were Mayo senior panel players. And he’s 2 years Mayo U20.
New pod is online – Here Comes the Weekend show looking ahead to the club action. Up now on Patreon.
Not a great kick start for mayo gaa tv
You would wonder where it all went so wrong with kiltimagh..
Add Micheal Moran to the back room team, fast.
Micheal Moran , Ah Ref and Billy Joe !!
I’m sure I remember seeing team sheets online for each club championship game last year but I can’t remember for the life of me where I saw them.
Are they available to view does anybody know?
Mind the house:
https://mayogaa.com/news-detail/10087430/
Game of the weekend for me will be Aughamore v Ballyhaunis. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the lads forget to take their hurleys out of thei kit bags for this one…. just in case like.
Game of the weekend is Castlebar v Knockmore for me. Few tasty intermediate games too…Mayo Gaels v Balla on Sunday will not be for the faint hearted.
@Michael Moran
Thank you very much for the link. It is always interesting to see who is playing.
You have set a very high bar with your analysis and predictions. I expect the same now every week !!!
I sense there is more interest in the club championship this year due to a combination of how poor Mayo got on and also as we desperately need to find new midfielders and scoring forwards.
Yew Tree. Knockmore/Castlebar game of the weekend,. On paper it certainly is but the reality at halftime is the total opposite. Turgid stuff so far with mistake after mistake from both teams. Hopefully the 2nd half might see some football being played.
Very low on quality all right Joe. No standout players. Keeps the group nice and open though. Charlestown obviously decided not to bother giving Westport a game. Not surprising with Towey suspended.
– Charlestown very definitely were trying to give Westport a game but as the scoreline suggests they faltered from half forward line onwards
– Westport are a very fit team with great pace and they simply powered ahead in the 2nd half.
– Keegan was unreal…Eoghan McL excellent first half. Brick is back and Finbar McL made an impact.
– Last years win was no.flash in the pan, Westport will take beating.
– Typical of this so called summer was yet another match played in a heavy downpour for about 10 mins very similar to the conditions when Westport played Aughamore and Garrymore. Pity the ref and linesmen who got drenched.
Have to agree with everything above. Westport went through the gears very smoothly and Finbar an excellent prospect down the road. Slick solorunner with both feet and not lacking in confidence. I’d throw in Fionn as having a decent game. Very strong allround and plenty of strength in depth (Keane, Finbar and Ray Walsh all making contributions) Conal Dawson kept on leash for another day
To me it seems to be a good draw for Castlebar away to Knockmore.
Maybe I am thinking through tinted glasses.
Left Castlebar nearly 40 yes ago but Mitchell’s are still my club.
Having said that great to see Westport so strong, in the seventies it was all soccer.
Some serious work done there.
Great report Olive.
How did Colm Moran play anyone?
Can the 17 people who said Charlestown would win the maclair cup identify themselves. Westport will win it unless the experience of knockmore or ballintubber bully them . Castlebar to young ballina had their chance just like breaffy
Interesting few games this weekend so far. Westport looked impressive from the score line but I didn’t get a chance to watch the game. Judging by the final result I’m happy I didn’t go to it. Waste of time for both Westport and Charlestown. I went in to see the Knockmore and castlebar game instead. A few people suggesting it would be the the game of the week and I agree 100%. Yes it was a low score line but a great battle with not an inch given by either set up. A real championship tussle with both teams showing glimpses of brilliance. Very much a battle of defences but that’s probably the style that will lead to success over the longer term. Transition play from defence to attack was lacking a bit, which I’m sure both teams will work hard on over coming weeks. Thought Paddy Durkin showed some great leadership in the second half whilst Orme and Dempsey were the two standouts for knockmore.
MH – There are 6 players u21 named to start for Ballina today.
Just a thought who are the 6: Jordan, Callinan, Golden, Thornton, Boland and who else? Frank is 21 I think.
Think the average age of Knockmores 2 in a row team was around 21 or 22. It’s a young man’s game now!!
I think 11 of the Ballina starting 15 have senior inter-county experience, including 5 of their front 6 they should be winning pulling up easy.
The Mitchels v Knockmore game was a real tactical slog, Knockmore probably should have won as missed some better goal chances. But equally lucky to get a draw.
Jimmy Durcan didn’t start for Mitchels but came off bench on return and was very lively. Shane McHale and Peter Naughton didn’t start for Knockmore but were introduced during second half.
Mitchels are possibly the most defensively set up team in the county. Their managers have them well set up in that regard albeit hard to watch at times. Their management can get quite fiery on line, in last couple games seen them they’ve been involved in some “Stuff” on the line. They not going to lie down anyway 🙂
Did the O’Conners play today for Ballintubber?
Half time at Breaffy, only Sam Callinan and Aiden O Shea look like county players,some of Ballina men playing themselves off county panel if they dont shape up in second half.
The difference in quality between castlebar/Knockmore and Breffey/Ballian is staggering. The amount of poor decisions, and unforced errors is way higher today. Bad advert for Mayo football today.
@green shooting from both teams woeful
Aidan O’Shea and Evan Regan best players for me. Not sure how Swanee got MOTM, he done good bit of grunt work in second half but wasn’t at his best in first half. Would have given to one of the others.
Agree with green and red, didn’t seem be same pitch to game as yesterday’s encounter.
Plenty of people on here can be critical of AOS, but he was well ahead of the rest again today. On the other hand it’s very hard to see what Conor McStay brings to an intercounty setup based on his performance today. Regan and Callinan were very good as always.
O’Shea was miles better then Swanny but I’m not surprised Swanny ended up MOTM. The media have a very weird fascination with him. I’m not sure he was even in the top 5 players on the field today.
If an outsider watched that game today and was told there was told there was 6 inter county players on that field they would have laughed their head off.
First weekend so like everything else no sense in being too harsh or too excited but my gawd the calibre of player is very stalemate if that’s the right word . It’s all so same aul story . Evan regan has been in the top half dozen forwards in Mayo for a while now . Some of these players that are on fringes and better are very mediocre athletes , not at all imposing enough physically .
Standard was below average this weekend . First week though and weather not good either .
Well done to kilmovee today who got an unexpected draw against a fancied eastern Gaels side .
Great win for Belmullet over Garrymore!
Aos should have got man of the match. Poor wide s from ballina. Murray and mcstay in the county panel. Not on today’s performance. Callinan excellent
Great to see aido playing well again for his club!
Thing that really stands out looking at results is the low scoring when teams are fairly evenly matched. A widespread lack of forwards in the county who can score when faced with a well organised defence?
Absolutely no exciting forward prospects putting their hand up it seems.
All the mayo clubs saying identical styles and no emphasis on flair or skill.
Bad state if affairs if evan regan still the best club forward in the county for another year.
Better wrap ROD and Tommy in cotton wool for next year
Form of Mattie Ruane continues to be a major concern. No major impact today.
I know it’s only the first weekend and the conditions were poor to very poor at times but there are some players close to the senior county team and you’d have to wonder. McStay at the top of that tree.
Aiden and Ruane stood out a mile. But there is big hope with Sam Callinan, twice I saw him come through tough tackle from AOS and still keep hold of the ball. He’s a great addition to the Mayo backline and will only get better.
We have to be patient. Not surprising that seasoned campaigners are standout performers. Keegan directing the show at Westport and Aiden at Breaffy.
But we’re looking at least a couple of years team building before we have a tough competitive outfit.
Brickenden plays 3 for Westport and McBrien plays 6 at Ballaghderren. Callinan has enough class to play anywhere. Finbarr McLaughlin and Conal Dawson are two young guys that will definitely be fighting for forward places in years to come.
Was there anyone at Ballagh game v Claremorris. I wonder how did Cuba Callaghan play. I know he scored 7 points – but were they frees or play. He is a natural forward with good pace and looks to take on his man when he gets the ball.
Supermac the poor Neale didn’t score in second half today.
Ontheditch they will have to trial Brickenden at 3 for some league games next year, with McBrien at 6. Would agree with leaving McBrien at 3, but need to have a back up 3. And we need a 6 in general.
Few things I picked up throughout the weekends games
•Frank Irwin,good player can score from distance needs to be given a chance with mayo was outstanding at minor level in 2019.
•Aidan o shea playing the best overall football of his career using skills more so than bull power.
•Colm Moran needs to be given a chance with mayo,a flair player that can score.
•Cian mchale kicking really well for moy davitts for a long while now 1-7 today at 20 years of age
•Looks like another year where Claremorris struggle to make any impact at senior level,you would wonder where all the underage talent goes?
•Micheal hall is a top player for breaffy. could he possibly be worth another look with mayo?
•There’s still a top footballer in Mattie ruane but why haven’t we seen it at intercounty level the last while?
•I see a lot of people on here commenting that we have no going forward talent coming through…Watch out for these names
•Colm Moran
•Frank irwin
•Dylan Thornton
•Cian mchale
•Niall Hurley
•James maheady
•Ciaran boland is also another back for Ballina stephenites with real potential..
Mattie ruane scored 3 points. Is that no major impact?? What are yee expecting from him??
Saw the BVB second half. Aido excellent, Ballina v disappointing. Re Murray, not great today but he has been injury hit.
Evan Regan the main man. Look forward to seeing him maintain that form.
Was at Gaels v Balla ,proper derby,Gaels Were very efficient, had homework done.fallon decent, with proper coaching, is worth get a look for league.but bigger games to come.mayo abbey pitch and grounds were a credit to all involved with club
Mayo Exclusive Junior Championship Round 1:
Group 1:
Northern Gaels 2-6
Ballycastle 1-9
Tourmakeady 0-6
Shrule/Glencorrib 0-8
Group 2:
Cill Chomain 0-11
Ardagh 0-8
Group 3:
Eastern Gaels 0-9
Kilmovee Shamrocks 1-6
Group 4:
Ballycroy 0-5
Swinford 1-8
Moygownagh 0-7
Lahardane MacHales 1-18
Mayo Intermediate Football Championship Round 1:
Group 1:
Davitts 1-11
Parke/Keelouges/Crimlin 1-13
Islandeady 2-11
Bonniconlon 1-7
Group 2:
Burrishoole 0-9
Ballinrobe 6-9
Kiltane 0-8
Hollymount/Carramore 2-13
Group 3:
Kilmeena 1-13
Ardnaree Sarsfields 0-7
Kiltimagh 0-5
Louisburgh 1-10
Group 4:
Castlebar Mitchells B 1-8
Bohola Moy Davitts 2-16
Crossmolina Deel Rovers 1-11
Kilmaine 0-9
Mayo Senior Football Championship Round 1:
Group 1:
Mayo Gaels 0-16
Balla 0-10
Breaffy 0-11
Ballina Stephenites 0-12
Group 2:
Westport 3-20
Charlestown Sarsfields 0-6
Claremorris 0-10
Ballaghaderren 0-13
Group 3:
The Neale 0-5
Ballintubber 1-13
Belmullet 1-7
Garrymore 1-6
Group 4:
Knockmore 0-9
Castlebar Mitchells 0-9
Aghamore 0-9
Ballyhaunis 1-6
Six years ago today we were debating whether Aido did a good job on Donaghy and Andy scored 1-5 .
Lots of extra people (apart from the usual knockmore heads) on here talking about how shite Ballina are on the site today which means we must be doing something right!!
Good to get an away win first day out and puts us on the front foot for the home game against Mayo Gaels the next day.
To all the lads from the parish of the backs you are always welcome back the park to see what an All Ireland winning club looks like!!
Was at the Moy D v cbar b game.. Hard to judge much on that, mitchels very poor but some good performances by BMD players.. Conditions very bad.. Wport look to be the team to stop in senior.
Interesting point Sean Burke. Watched Breaffy v Ballina. Aido the standout player ( though some reckon he is not good enough for Co team) Sam Callinan was good also. O Hora got through lots of hard work. Mattie good at times but anonymous at other periods of the game. Some tight games in all divisions especially Junior. Club football in Mayo is well contested and competitive but as to whether it will throw up new county stars for next year, I have my doubts. McStay and co brought in a few last year and one or two more would be more than welcome but I am not sure if they are there to be honest. Anyway it’s time to concentrate on the club now. The split season allows the club championship to be played in good weather. Oh wait…….
If you read my comment you would see I stated that there’s still a top footballer in Mattie ruane @spectre
He played well today but has not been doing it at intercounty level since the all Ireland 2021
Jaysis Create Boom, who stood on your toes 🙂
I don’t see any comments stating Ballina are shite on thread. Most stating Regan probably one the best forwards in county which has been true for some time, shame he must not want to play when doing the nutrition gig.
And Ballina were third favourites outright with bookies and that’s reflected in the poll.
For the size and pick they have they have probably underachieved in past few decades since the all Ireland given how many county players they have.
Mayoforsam23 it wasnt ur comment i was referring to. It was another comment further up the line. There definitely is alot more in him. Not allowed to compete for throw ins is bullshit. I reckon it would not do much for confidence
Apologies Create, if I came across offensive to Ballina in my earlier posts. I’d also like to clarify I’m not a Knockmore man either. For my sins I’m actually from the far side of Ardnaree.
Just my own opinion but I felt it was a sloppy game in Breffey today with no real stand out players. Having seen so many of the lads wear the mayo jersey both in the recent and distant past, I was expecting a better game. And yet Evan Regan kicked the vital last two scores.
No doubt ballina will be in the mix for Moclair. Tbh after last year I’d really fancy them to get over the line this year. The hunger is there, the quality is definitely there. I’ve a high expectation of them which is why I was disappointed with how they played today. I fancied them to be 6/7 points better then Breffey.
On a separate note what did Cillian O’Connor do to get a red card today?
@Gizmobobs … Knockmore won’t be far off again this year . Great club with great tradition.
Don’t think ye are huge fans of current Mayp management bit I now see why ( Ray ) .
Personally I think Ballina will improve on today’s performance but would be 4th favourites behind Castebar / Knockmore/ Westport
Green&Red sounds like you and Create could be neighbours, with name like Create Boom he’s a Belleek man or from Ardnaree side of river 😉
Ballina and Breaffy will come through that group fairly handily you’d imagine. Mayo Gaels a big win over Balla, hard imagine either be able compete with the others.
Garrymore will have to be disappointed as well today, Bellmullet and Ballintubber should come through there.
Westport and Ballaghaderreen looking good in other group.
Mitchels, Knockmore, Aghamore and Ballyhaunis only group that looks like could cause a surprise although you’d imagine Knockmore and Mitchels should do job. But on a slobbery day like we had this weekend anything could happen.
Haven’t heard what Cillian was carded for, there was two other reds in that game.
Intermediate looks like be between BMD, Ballinrobe and Crossmolina.
Kilcommon despite missing Healy done job on Ardagh, Killala and Kilcommon likely top dogs there?
My ball, I’d go
1. Westport,
2. Castlebar
3. Ballina
4. Knockmore
But any of those 4 could beat the other on a given day. Not sure any of #2-4 would obliterate a Weaker team like Westport do, although Ballina done it once or twice last year.
On the Aghamore game, why was Aghamore goal disallowed does anyone know?
https://fb.watch/mye4L9_DmZ/
https://westernpeople.ie/2023/08/20/future-success-for-rural-clubs-in-jeopardy/
Great piece in the Western above on the state of Mayo club football.The urban centres are dominating Mayo football at present Westport , Claremorris and Mitchels all 3 dominating ard all A underage competitions, Divisional , County and Bord na Og Leagues.The only exception the Crossmolina Under 16 team winning the County A Title for the first time in 30 years.
The Senior Championship ,3 of the top 4 teams are Westport , Mitchels and Ballina.Should there be stricter boundaries made closer to the urban areas of these towns .The Mayo minor captain who won a County Minor A title with Claremorris 2 weeks ago is not even living in the Claremorris parish or is the parish rule gone? He already had played for a different club at underage.
Looking at the Westport parish area on a map it looks huge for a town that already has a very highly populated town.Another problem in the big 4 clubs is the high dropout rates after Minor level.
The situation really needs to be addressed at County Board level before the situation gets worse than it is now.
I was there, Gizmo, and I’m a bit stumped as to why it was. I’ve a video clip of it, which I tweeted earlier on (here) and it couldn’t have been for steps.
WJ, not sure how I missed your tweet. That angle looks sound as a pound!!
Switched hands?
Can not see why it was disallowed.
Can’t beat local derbys.
@ Sam Og be careful what you wish for.
I am a proud Mayo man living in Navan with a population of nearly 40K
No player on the Meath u 17, u20, or senior team or panel.
No player on the St Pats secondary school team from town clubs.
I totally agree about the parish rule and it is generally enforced in Meath.
Notibly exception John McDermott transferred from a joiner club to Skyrne years ago.
@Sam Og . Ballinrobe has small boundaries and Donal Vaughan was allowed transfer to Castlebar .
Lots of good work being done in the likes of Claremorris while they too are bordering Davitts, Holly Carramore etc.
JR, not sure if Meath towns a good comparison. In last census about 1/3 of Meath population weren’t born in the county. The place of birth is place where their mother lived at the time of their birth.
It’s such a commuter zone that good chance that despite the gross population numbers the likely number of people affiliated to GAA in area is much smaller.
Fun fact, Meath is the least indigenous county in Ireland, with just under 35% of population recorded as being born within the county.
I didnt say there wasnt good work been done.I said with the massive populations of the Big 4 clubs they are winning every major trophy in the A underage grades and there is also a high dropout rate at Adult level in these clubs in terms of the numbers they have at underage.Donal Vaughan qualified for a transfer cause he was living or working in the town, there would have to be a good reason to qualify for a transfer.
Jr
That is the fault of Navan O ‘Mahonys or any other Gaa clubs in the general Navan area and the Meath County Board that they are not getting high calibre of players through to the Meath setup.I have heard Navan is a really strong Soccer town aswell which might me another reason.
Its well known in East Meath commuter areas in the last decade a lot of them support Dublin over Meath.
Meath is a very bad comparison.
@Gizmobobs, for some strange reason too long to explain, I happen to know that a huge percentage of Meath babies are actually born in Louth, they might well be reared in Meath. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda to be more precise. Even many of the ones that Stole the 2010 Leinster Final from Louth were actually born in Louth. Thats gratitude for ya.
@Willie Joe/Gizmobobs…nothing wrong with that goal from what I could see on the clip.
Had the referee said it’s last kick and then blew the final whistle after it was saved? No transgression in that video clip.
My pals in Meath thought the Ballina/Breaffy game was a real hard tough one and very difficult to get a free.
They said if it was a club game in Meath you would end up 12 aside.
Refs have made Meath football soft.
The irony of it wasn’t lost on them.
I thought the ref in fairness took weather conditions into account. A few borderline challenges due mostly to sliding in and maybe 1 or 2 over carries but again more players trying to find their feet on slippery conditions.May have missed one black card offense but he tried his best to let it flow. I thought Ballina probably a 4/5 point better team. Aido & Mattie kept Breaffy in touch.
@Sam Og
Great piece. It would open your eyes to how much rural clubs are to be admired. There’s a possibility we could be seeing the last of the rural challengers in years to come. The transfer portal seems open also for urban clubs in a way it isn’t for this rural clubs.
My only guess with the disallowed goal is that he was done for switching hands. He may have been perceived to have thrown the ball from his right hand to his left which is a technical foul.
Mattie Ryan’s is obviously a good player as he’s proved but he seems to do his best work in and around the half forward area. As a midfielder he isn’t strong in the air, doesn’t track back well and fouls too often when tackling. Don’t mean to be critical of him but I just think he gets played in the wrong position for Mayo.