Your guide to the big Mayo GAA matches this weekend
by John Melvin
DELICATELY poised might be the best way to describe a few of the groups in this year’s Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship ahead of this weekend’s second round of games.
With the third and final round set for neutral venues, this is the big opportunity for some teams to make home advantage count, and that just might tip the balance in getting a few teams out of trouble.
Opinions are varied as to the prosects of a few of the big guns making the final group of eight that will contest the quarterfinals, but there is no escaping the fact that a few teams that are expected to make the cut will be under pressure this weekend, most notably Castlebar Mitchels.
There are eight games down and the big four which jump off the page are the meetings between Ballintubber and Breaffy, Garrymore v Castlebar Mitchels, Knockmore v Claremorris and Belmullet v Ballaghaderreen.
Knockmore, Castlebar Mitchels, Ballintubber and Belmullet are four of the teams who could find themselves struggling to make the last eight if results don't go their way this weekend, but I expect we could see the necessary response from some, if not all, of those teams that find themselves under pressure.
GROUP 1
Kilmeena v Aghamore (Saturday, August 31, 4.15 p.m. in Kilmeena)
Ballintubber v Breaffy (Sunday, September 1, 2.30 p.m. in Ballintubber)
Kilmeena look like a team that is here to stay in the senior championship and with home advantage, this is an ideal opportunity to bag a point, if not two.
Aghamore, of course, bring a lot of experience with them to Kilmeena and that could shade it for them, but Kilmeena will be greatly encouraged by their efforts against Breaffy, while Aghamore will have gained a lot in confidence following their draw with Ballintubber.
Sunday's local derby is a huge game, particularly for Ballintubber who dropped a point against Aghamore, while Breaffy saw off Kilmeena.
It is a group that is likely to be decided in the final game but you sense Breaffy, last year’s beaten finalists, look a bit fresher following the arrival of Sean Deane and have the momentum behind them with that opening win over Kilmeena.
The absence of Cillian O’Connor is already putting Ballintubber under par again for this game as a result of two red cards last season, but Ballintubber are battlers and home advantage could be crucial, another draw also a possibility.
GROUP 2
Ballina Stephenites v Balla (Saturday, August 31, 6.30 p.m. in Ballina)
Westport v Mayo Gaels (Saturday, August 31, 6.30 p.m. in Westport)
County champions Ballina Stephenites can seal their place in the last eight before their home support at James Stephens Park.
They were easily the most impressive side in terms of scoring power when they defeated Mayo Gaels by 0-20 to 0-9, and that was without top players Padraic O’Hora and Dylan Thornton.
Balla will be grealty encorgaed by their efforts against Westport, who are strong title contenders, and they are capable of putting in a big performance, but a win just seems beyond them.
Westport can also seal a place in the quarterfinals as they take on a Mayo Gaels team who have been struggling.
The county champions of two years ago are unlikely to be caught at this early stage, but Balla made them work hard for that win and Mayo Gaels might find some encouragement for the efforts of their neighbours. However, this looks to be beyond the visitors to Westport.
GROUP 3
Knockmore v Claremorris (Saturday, August 31, 6.30 p.m. in Knockmore)
Belmullet v Ballaghaderreen (Sunday, September 1, 3 p.m. in Belmullet)
It really is a must-win game for Knockmore if they are to stay afloat going into round three. Claremorris will bounce into this game with the confidence gained from that first round win over Belmullet and they have been boosted by the young talent that is emerging in the club.
They scored 21 points against Belmullet but also conceded 2-13, and that is a worry.
Knockmore have started slowly before and still managed to make the cut, and I expect they will bounce back for this one at home having lost to Ballaghaderreen in round one by a point.
Ballagh face a daunting trip to Tallagh on Sunday but they have two points in the bag and it won't be the end of the road should they lose.
The return of Ryan O’Donoghue is likely to provide a big spark for Belmullet to ignite their championship bid for possible quarterfinal spot, but I wouldn’t rule out the Ballagh' boys coming away with something.
GROUP 4
Garrymore v Castlebar Mitchels (Saturday, August 31, 8 p.m. in Garrymore)
Charlestown v Ballyhaunis (Sunday, September 1, 3 p.m. in Charlestown)
It's a big weekend for Castlebar Mitchels, who are not firing too well judging by their opening draw with Charlestown.
That said, a draw is a better than a loss, and Charlestown are a team that has to be respected.
Garrymore swept Ballyhaunis aside but Ballyhaunis don’t appear to be as strong as last year and that Garrymore win has to be put in context.
A defeat for either team would not end their championship hopes but this is a game Castlebar need to win and should they fail, or not get at least a draw, they could find a place in the last eight beyond them.
In another local derby, I expect Ballyhaunis will rise to the occasion but the momentum is with Charlestown, who have a big point from that draw with Castlebar Mitchels.
The win would put Charlestown in a very strong position ahead of their final group game, which will be against Garrymore.