Mayo get their Electric Ireland GAA Celtic Challenge off to a winning start

Mayo got their 2023 Electric Ireland GAA Celtic Challenge hurling competition off to a winning start this afternoon.

The Green and Red secured a 1-19 to 1-13 victory over Kildare Cadets this afternoon in the midlands.

Mayo will be on the road again next Saturday (April 15) to take on Donegal, with the final game at home to Meath Royals on the following Saturday (April 22).

Thirty-eight teams from 30 counties are taking part in the Electric Ireland GAA Celtic Challenge, one of the most innovative developmental initiatives within the GAA calendar. It has played an integral role in expanding the games programme for top tier and developing counties since 2016.

An Under 17 developmental competition, the group format provides teams with the opportunity to play three games over the space of three weekends. Quarterfinal pairings are performance-based, with counties playing up to six games in the competition overall.

The divisional trophies are named in memory of six of the 14 civilians who were killed at Croke Park on Bloody Sunday (November 21, 1920): Michael Hogan (24), Tom Hogan (27), John William Scott (14), William Robinson (11), Jerome O’Leary (10) and Michael Feery (40).

Following the group stages, all teams qualify for a quarterfinal on Saturday, May 6. Winners will then advance to their respective semi-finals on Saturday, May 13, with the finals taking place on Saturday, May 27.