Can Bohola-Moy Davitts keep run going in last 8 of Mayo intermediate series?

by Aiden Henry

WITH the Egan Jewellers Mayo Intermediate Football Championship now at the knockout stage, there are four cracking quarterfinals down for decision this coming weekend.

In what has been a fantastic championship so far, eight teams now remain in the race for the title.

The close nature in each of the four groups up to now means that we have arrived at a stage where a case can be made for any of the eight teams remaining.

As a result, trying to predict to the outcomes of the four quarterfinals is very difficult, to say the least.

QUARTERFINALS

Saturday, September 30

Moy Davitts v Hollymount/Carramore (5 p.m. in Aghamore)

Moy Davitts have been installed as one of the favourites to lift the intermediate title year following a series of good results in the league and championship.

They took maximum points from the group stage and will go into this game with a slight advantage over their rivals Hollymount/Carramore, who finished runners-up in their group. But while they are slight favourites to beat their south Mayo opponents, Moy Davitts will be well aware they will have to reproduce their best form if they are to come out on top.

They will get nothing soft against Hollymount/Carramore and will be hoping to show a big improvement on their last game, where they were made work very hard for their victory over Kilmaine, if they are to win this one.

Hollymount/Carramore will not lack confidence. They have played very well in the championship so far and while they did lose their final group game against Ballinrobe, one could not read too much into that as they had already qualified for the quarterfinals.

I expect one hell of a game here, one which could either way.

The nod just goes to Moy Davitts as they already had an impressive season with some great results. But they will have to be on their game big time to prevail.

Verdict: Bohola-Moy Davitts

Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin v Kilmeena (4 p.m. in Tourmakeady)

This all-west Mayo quarterfinal has all the ingredients for a rip-roaring contest. As to who will come out on top, it is almost a toss of the coin.

To date, Parke have been impressive on the way to the quarterfinals. They had good victories over Davitts and Islandeady in their two opening games, which guaranteed that they would finish top of their group. While they drew with Bonniconlon in their final group game, one would not need to read too much into that result.

The manner in which Parke got through the two very tough games against Davitts and Islandeady suggests they are a side very much in form, and they will go into this game against Kilmeena with a lot of confidence.

Although losing out to Louisburgh in their group, Kilmeena seem to be improving with every outing. That was a big local derby, with Kilmeena travelling to Louisburgh. There was just a goal in it at the end. Kilmeena then made short work of Kiltimagh in their final game to secure their place in the last eight. With plenty of experience in the side, Kilmeena will also travel to Tourmakeady in confident mood.

There is little doubt this game will go right down to the wire. While again it could either way, I give the nod to Parke as they feel this might be their year.

Verdict: Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin

Ballinrobe v Islandeady (4.30 p.m. in Mayo Abbey)

Ballinrobe will be all the rage to beat Islandeady in this quarterfinal clash in Mayo Abbey. However, I do believe that this is far from a forgone conclusion, and I think Islandeady – last year's junior champions – might just upset the odds.

There is little doubt that Ballinrobe have been one of the real form teams in the championship so far. They started their campaign in great fashion by travelling to Newport and giving Burrishoole a big beating. Not alone did they produce a five-star performance overall, but they scored an amazing six goals in that game.

The Robesiders continued their campaign with great wins over Kiltane and Hollymount/Carramore to take top spot in their group. They will not be lacking in confidence going in against Islandeady.

Islandeady, for their part, came through a tough group to get to the quarterfinals. They took care of Bonniconlon relatively easily in their opening game before narrowly losing to Parke away.

Their big test came in the final round of the group stages when they faced up to Davitts in a winner-takes-all game. Here they produced the goods and came away with a deserved five-point victory.

What we have now are two teams facing each other who are both in top form. There is not going to be a lot between them. If Islandeady can reproduce their best form, they might just cause a shock here.

Verdict: Islandeady

Sunday, October 1

Louisburgh v Castlebar Mitchels B (2 p.m. in Kilmeena)

Since the start of the championship, Louisburgh have been on most pundits' list as one of the favourites to go all the way this year. The way they performed in the group stages will not have dampened those assertions in any way.

They go into this quarterfinal following three wins out of three and will really fancy their chances of beating Castlebar Mitchels B. However, I feel they are going to have one hell of a battle on their hands if they hope to progress to the last four.

After round one of the group stages, it would have been hard to give Castlebar B much chance of making the last eight following their big defeat by Moy Davitts. However, after a massive win over Kilmaine in Kilmaine, Kevin Filan’s charges were back on track.

They still had to face Crossmolina in their final group game, with the winners going through to the quarterfinals. It was no easy task as Crossmolina, who lost narrowly to Moy Davitts, were the odds-on favourites to win.

But Castlebar B produced a magnificent performance before fully deserving to come out on top.

A reproduction of that display against Louisburgh would make them very difficult to beat.

There is little doubt it is going to be a very close and tough game. However, assuming that Mitchels B turn up in Kilmeena with their A game, I think they just might shade this one.

Verdict: Castlebar Mitchels B

RELEGATION PLAYOFFS

Sunday, October 1

Bonniconlon v Burrishoole (12 p.m. in Bangor)

Bonniconlon managed to secure a point against Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin in their final group game, which gives them slightly better form than Burrishoole, who lost all three of their group matches.

However. Burrishoole were involved in a fierce battle with Kiltane last time out while Parke had nothing really to play for in their encounter with Bonniconlon.

While we can expect a hard fought, close game here, I expect to see Burrishoole to pip Bonniconlon and maintain their intermediate status.

Verdict: Burrishoole

Kilmaine v Kiltimagh (12 p.m. in Ballyhaunis)

Kiltimagh have had a tough year of transition and the relegation battle will not be easy for what is a young outfit.

Kilmaine would have had higher hopes heading into the championship but landed in a tough group. Now, with Oisin Mullin available on sojourn from his Aussie Rules commitments, they would appear to have enough experienced personnel to get past this particular test.

Verdict: Kilmaine

JUNIOR QUARTERFINALS

Just like the intermediate quarterfinals we have four very interesting games in the last eight of the TF Royal Hotel & Theatre junior A championship.

On Saturday, Ballaghaderreen will be the venue for the all-east Mayo clash between Eastern Gaels and Swinford at 4.40 p.m., with Shrule/Glencorrib and Ardagh taking on each in Charlestown at 2 p.m. and Cill Chomain and Northern Gaels facing off in Ballycastle at 4.40 p.m.

The fourth quarterfinal, between Lahardane and Killala, will be played on Sunday in Knockmore.

In the three Saturday games, the verdicts go to Eastern Gaels, Shrule/Glencorrib and Cill Chomáin to advance, while the Sunday quarterfinal result should see Lahardane just pip Killala.