All you need to know about current state of Mayo GAA championships

by Aiden Henry

The final round in the Mayo club championships' group stages brought plenty of drama and some very close calls, but no major shocks as the championships now enter the knockout stages.

In the senior championship, Ballintubber made the quarterfinals by the skin of their teeth by just edging out Aghamore on score difference in group one.

Two of the championship favourites, Ballina and Westport, faced off in Charlestown to see who would top group two. It was Ballina who prevailed by two points, thanks to a great second half.

In group thre,e Ballaghaderreen gained top spot following their draw with Claremorris, while they will be joined in the last eight by Knockmore, who just got the better of Belmullet.

Victories for both Garrymore over Charlestown and Castlebar Mitchels over Ballyhaunis meant they both advanced from group four, with Garrymore the group winners.

In the intermediate championship, there were big wins for Crossmolina and The Neale. They will join Moy Davitts, Davitts, Hollymount/Carramore, Ballinrobe, Kiltane and Ardnaree in the quarterfinals.

In the junior championship, there were eye-catching victories for Cill Chomain over Bonniconlon, Eastern Gaels over Achill and Ardagh over Northern Gaels. The eight teams to qualify for the quarterfinals are: Cill Chomain, Swinford, Bonniconlon, Eastern Gaels, Killala, Ardagh, Northern Gaels and Tourmakeady.

The quarterfinal draws were made later today and are expected to be announced around 8 p.m.

SENIOR

Group 1

There was great drama as the two games in group one came to a close. While Breaffy had secured their place in the last eight, the runners-up spot was very much in the balance.

With time almost up it looked as if Aghamore, despite losing to Breaffy, would get through on scoring difference from Ballintubber.

However, with Aghamore conceding a late point to Breaffy and a late Cillian O’Connor point for Ballintubber against Kilmeena, it was Ballintubber who nudged ahead on scoring difference and took the runners-up spot by the narrowest of margins.

The Kilmeena defeat by Ballintubber meant that they will now have to play in the relegation play-offs while Aghamore’s season is over.

Group 2

The position in group two was that prior to this final round, Ballina and Westport had already booked their places in the quarterfinals.

The only issue to be decided was which of them would top the group and have a home quarterfinal.

In what turned out to be a well contested clash, Ballina who trailed at the interval, came good in the second half to win by two points.

The second game in this group was a straight shootout between neighbours Balla and Mayo Gaels to see which of them would avoid the relegation play-offs.

In the end, it was Balla who won comfortably and secure their place in the senior grade for next year.

Mayo Gaels will now have to come through the play-offs if they are keep their senior status for next year.

Group 3

Going into this final round in group three, Ballaghaderreen knew in their clash with Claremorris that if they could avoid defeat, they would win the group.

Of course, there was also the possibility for the east Mayo side that a defeat might knock them out of the championship.

Claremorris also knew they had to get something out of the game. However, a draw would only be good enough for them if Belmullet defeated Knockmore in the other game in the group.

As things turned out, Claremorris finished level with Ballaghaderreen after a cracking encounter. But with Belmullet going down to Knockmore, Claremorris finished up in third spot.

So, it is Ballaghaderreen, group winners and a home quarterfinal, and Knockmore who advance to the last eight. Belmullet, who lost their three games, will be involved in the relegation play-offs.

Group 4

In group four, it was all to play for in the last round with any two of the four teams, Garrymore, Castlebar, Ballyhaunis and Charlestown, still in with a chance of making the quarterfinals.

Garrymore, who topped the table, looked to be on course for an easy victory over Charlestown when they led by eight points at half-time.

However, with seven minutes remaining Charlestown had closed the gap to a single point and looked poised to make a great comeback.

However, in the closing moments it was Garrymore who finished the stronger by scoring two points to win the group.

The defeat for Charlestown meant they would be the side from this group in the relegation play-offs.

In the second game in this group between Castlebar and Ballyhaunis it was winner take all.

For long periods it looked as if the Mitchels could be on their way out of the championship. However, a great final quarter by the west Mayo side turned this game on its head and, in the end, there was no denying Castlebar deserved their place in the last eight.

INTERMEDIATE

Group 1

With Moy Davitts having already secured top spot in this group and Lahardane doomed to be in the play-offs, the only issue to be cleared up in final round was who would join Moy Davitts in the last eight.

It was a straight shootout between Crossmolina and Louisburgh in Westport. In the end it was Crossmolina who proved far too strong for their west Mayo opponents and gained the runners-up place from this group.

Group 2

The two games in this group two were played for very different reasons.

The clash between Davitts and Hollymount/Carramore was just to decide who would top the group and have a home quarterfinal as the two had already booked their spots in the last eight.

In a very close encounter, it was Davitts who prevailed, but just. Indeed, they came with a late burst to win by the narrowest of margins.

The second game in this group between Castlebar Mitchels B and Kiltimagh was to decide who would avoid the relegation play-offs.

In a tough contest it was Mitchels B who came out on top to secure their intermediate status for next year while Kiltimagh will be involved in the relegation play-offs.

Group 3

The outcome of group three went right down to the wire.

To have a chance of making the knockout stages, Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin needed to beat Kilmaine, which they duly did. However, the last result they didn’t want in the other game between Ballinrobe and Kiltane in Knockmore was a draw.

Having beaten Kilmaine, Parke had an anxious few minutes to wait for the final whistle to sound in Knockmore.

As those final moments went by it was looking good for Parke as Ballinrobe went two points clear as the game entered injury time.

However, their hearts sank as Kiltane refused to die and hit back to draw level with two great points, the second which came on the stroke of full-time.

It meant Ballinrobe and Kiltane qualified for the quarterfinals and left Parke in third place. It also meant that Kilmaine would be involved in the relegation play-offs.

Group 4

With all four teams, The Neale, Ardnaree, Islandeady and Burrishoole, all on two points each going into the final round it was all to play for in the final two games.

The Neale were pitted against Islandeady in what was expected to be a close encounter.

However, the south Mayo side were fast off the blocks and built up a good half-time lead. They continued to drive forward after the resumption to book their place in the last eight.

The second game between Burrishoole and Ardnaree was a very tight affair throughout. When the final whistle sounded, they couldn’t be separated and had to do with a share of the spoils.

With The Neale getting top spot as a result, the runners-up place went to Ardnaree on scoring difference. Islandeady who finished bottom of the table will now be involved in the relegation battle.

LADIES CHAMPIONSHIPS

In group A, Westport continued their winning ways with a big win over Kilmovee Shamrocks, while Carnacon got back to winning ways with a three-point victory over Hollymount.

In group B, championship favourites Knockmore just got the better of Burrishoole. It was a close game throughout with the reigning champions coming out on top by three points. Charlestown recorded a fine win over MacHale Rovers in what was a very entertaining and high scoring encounter.

In the Mayo ladies intermediate championship, Claremorris proved too strong for Swinford/Killasser, while Castlebar Mitchels had a big win over Kilmoremoy. Davitts had a narrow victory over Louisburgh, while the fourth game saw Moy Davitts edge out Ballyhaunis.

In the junior A championship, there were good victories for St. Brigid’s, The Neale, Breaffy and Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin.