Championship draw leaves plenty to look forward to in Mayo club football
The draws for the group stages of the Mayo senior, intermediate and junior club football championships have been conducted.
Defending senior champions Westport are in Group 2 of the Connacht Gold senior championship with Ballaghaderreen, Claremorris and Charlestown Sarsfields.
Last year's beaten finalists, Ballina Stephenites, have been pitted alongside central Mayo rivals Balla, Breaffy and Mayo Gaels in Group 1. Plenty of local derbies there to whet the appetite.
In Group 3, the 2021 runners-up, Belmullet, line up against Ballintubber, Garrymore and The Neale, while Group 4 contains east Mayo neighbours Aghamore and Ballyhaunis as well as an exciting young Castlebar Mitchels team and the 2020 and 2021 winners, Knockmore.
The Egan Jewellers intermediate championship is competitive every year and 2023 is unlikely to be any different. Group 1 contains the team relegated from senior last year, Davitts, and the team promoted from junior as champions, Islandeady, with Bonniconlon and Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin for company.
Group 2 features three clubs that would harbour hopes of winning the title – Kilmeena, Kiltimagh and Louisburgh – while Ardnaree Sarsfields can give anyone difficulty on their day.
Hollymount-Carramore and Ballinrobe ensure there will be a derby in Group 3. Burrishoole and Kiltane are the other clubs in that group.
Finally, Group 4 contains a club from each of the four regions of the county – Bohola Moy Davitts from the east, Castlebar Mitchels B from the west, Crossmolina Deel Rovers from the north and Kilmaine from the south.
The TF Royal Theatre Exclusive junior championship has four tough groups, as follows: Group 1 – Shrule/Glencorrib, Tourmakeady, Ballycastle, Northern Gaels; Group 2 – Cill Chomáin, Ardagh, Achill (three team group); Group 3 – Killala, Eastern Gaels, Kilmovee Shamrocks (three team group); Group 4 – Lahardane, Swinford, Ballycroy, Moygownagh.
The draws were conducted live on the Mayo GAA Facebook page this evening.