Cafferkey's timely Mayo return as Harrison incurs hamstring injury

THE return of Ger Cafferkey to championship action with his club at the weekend is just the boost Mayo football needs ahead of their quarterfinal Connaught championship clash with Sligo on Sunday week at MacHale Park, Castlebar.

Cafferkey put in a solid display for Ballina at full-back in a tough encounter with Ballinrobe, the Stephenites coming away with a victory which puts them on top of their group along with defending champions Castlebar Mitchels, who had no difficulty in overcoming Corssmolina in their opening game.

The only injury worry for Mayo manager Stephen Rochford is Brendan Harrison who injured his hamstring while playing for his club Aghamore against Claremorris and he faces a race against time to be fit for the Sligo game.

Otherwise it looks as if Mayo have a clean bill of health ahead of their championsip opener, although neither Donie Newcombe nor Barry Moran saw any action for Castlebar at the weekend.

One of the big performances in the Mayo club championship at the weekend was that of Breaffy who crushed visitors Davitts while, in the same group, the eye-catching score of the opening round was Hollymount-Carramore's 4-15 to 1-6 win over Ballaghaderen, the south Mayo men missing two penalties in that game, which was played in Ballaghadereen and sets them on a collision course with Breaffy to top the group.

The group that has really been blown wide open is Group One where Charlestown let a big lead slip and ended up sharing the points with visitors, Knockmore, while Garrymore and Westport also ended all square to leave the four teams on a point apiece.

Ballintubber, who slipped at the first fence last year before recovering, had a clear round against a Kiltane side still without a manger.

Cillian O'Connor came in with 1-9 for Ballintubber who are second favourites for the title. In the same group, Claremorris and Aghamore ended all square in a cracking game.