Club championship draw throws up some interesting permutations
Sixteen teams go to post for the Mayo senior football championship 2015 as the lease on the Moclair Cup, currently held by Ballintubber, comes up for renewal.
It is hard to get away from the usual suspects but the group stages of the competition provide the best chance for a dark horse or two to get through.
In Group 1 we have Davitts, Knockmore, Breaffy and Ballyhaunis. Two home games for Davitts and Knockmore could be vital in this group. The fixtures are: roune one - Davitts v Breaffy, Knockmore v Ballyhaunis; round two - Davitts v Knockmore, Breaffy v Ballyhaunis; round three - Ballyhaunis v Davitts, Knockmore v Breaffy. Verdict: Breaffy and Knockmore to go through.
Group 2, featuring Castlebar, Ballina, Ballaghaderreen and Claremorris, can be described as the group of death. Both Ballina and Castlebar have two home ties but Ballina have to make the journey to MacHale Park in an intriguing group. The fixtures are: round one - Castlebar v Ballaghaderreen, Ballina v Claremorris; round two - Castlebar v Ballina, Ballaghaderreen v Claremorris; round three - Claremorris v Castlebar, Ballina v Ballaghaderreen. Verdict: Castlebar and Ballaghaderreen get the nod.
Group 3 is made up of Aghamore, Ballintubber, Crossmolina and Ballinrobe. Champions Ballintubber have two home games, as do Aghamore. The fixtures are: round one - Aghamore v Crossmolina, Ballintubber v Ballinrobe; round two - Aghamore v Ballintubber, Crossmolina v Ballinrobe; round three - Ballinrobe v Aghamore; Ballintubber v Crossmolina. Verdict: Ballintubber and Aghamore to go through from this group.
Finally, Group 4 contains Kiltane, Garrymore, Shrule-Glencorrib and Charlestown. Two home games for Kiltane might be enough to see through, while Garrymore are also at home twice. It may prove crucial. The fixtures are: round one - Kiltane v Shurle-Glencorrib, Garrymore v Charlestown; round two - Kiltane v Garrymore, Shrule-Glencorrib v Charlestown; round three - Charlestown v Kiltane, Garrymore v Shrule/Glencorrib. Verdict: Garrymore and Kiltane to make the cut.