The definitive verdict on Mayo GAA's big weekend clashes

by Martin Carney, Mayo GAA's foremost columnist

IT’S the weekend that we have longed for.

The occasion where across all grades, knockout takes centre-stage, when teams no longer have the possibility of extra games to cushion them in the event of defeat.

Foothills, perhaps, but the pinnacle is now in sight.

Aside from Garrymore and Ballaghaderreen, all of the other senior championship quarterfinalists were somewhat predictable.

South Mayo’s only surviving representative defied the odds from the start, held their nerve and deservedly topped their group. Ballagh’ followed a similar path.

Little was expected from them at the commencement of the championship, yet under manager Tomas Morley’s watchful eye the team defied predictions and building on their opening day win over Knockmore, now find themselves in the last eight.

The game that chimes with history and tradition is the meeting of Castlebar Mitchels and Ballina Stephenites. Aristocrats locking horns, if you like.

On the one hand the team that this year has worn the mantle of reigning county champions with an awkwardness unbecoming their status opposing a young up-and-coming side rich in potential.

Stephenites, the last day, in the opening half were a mess against Westport.

Slow to the ball and indecisive in using it, they lacked the appetite expected. Were it not for the inspirational and irrepressible duo of Sam Callinan and Padraic O’Hora, their cause would have been in the rear-view mirror at the break. In truth, Westport should have been home and hosed.

Little happened in attack for Ballina. Without Evan Regan they were devoid of a cutting edge. His presence is crucial to Ballina’s cause.

Were he to miss the game on Sunday, the odds would swing decisively in favour of Castlebar Mitchels.

In a somewhat similar way, Castlebar have found it hard to compensate for the loss of Patrick Durcan. Levels of leadership, inspiration and good example have dropped as a consequence. The vibrancy that he always brings to the team hasn’t been replaced.

Nevertheless, Mitchels are here unbeaten.

Youngsters like John McMonagle and Sean Morahan have displayed a maturity beyond their years.

Donnacha McHugh has been rock solid. If they are prepared to take the game to Ballina and adopt a more attack-minded strategy, I feel they are good enough to win.

Their best display this year was against the Stephenites. I sense they will repeat this and, against the odds, bring Ballina’s reign as champions to an end.

ANOTHER TIME

They were 'the beasty boys' from another time. Between 1972 and ‘85, Garrymore and Knockmore remained centre-stage in Mayo club football. Danny Dolan, Billy Fitz, the Monaghans, McHales, Peter Hughes, Seamus Weir, O’Neill and so many others from both clubs were the standard setters.

On 11 occasions in that 12-year period one or other of them contested the county final. They met twice in the final itself. It was an era when Garrymore won six titles and Knockmore four.

Their modern-day rivalry is nothing like it was but when the ball is thrown in on Saturday, sparks will fly.

Knockmore steadied the ship after a tentative opening round defeat to Ballaghaderreen.

Tightly organised defensively, their improvement has been steady rather than spectacular.

David McHale and Darragh Staunton are growing game on game, Kevin McLoughlin continues to keep the supply lines fertile, while Aidan Orme, Caolan Hopkins and Darren McHale have been the pick in attack.

A home fixture, their reward for topping the group, Garrymore will hope to make this advantage count.

Their strong running game caused problems for Charlestown and Castlebar Mitchels, but a tendency to fade was a worrying feature in the last outing.

An ‘A’ lister, Enda Hession needs to find his best form to bring the best out in others.

With the Nally brothers and Darren Quinn capable of handsome returns, it’s vital from a Garrymore perspective that they get ball in threatening positions.

Can Garry’ guarantee this? I’m not sure.

I also feel that the fresh impetus their bench provides doesn’t carry the same threat that Knockmore can summon. This small but extra variable will make the difference for the north Mayo men.

POINTS DIFFERENCE

At the finish it was tight. Points difference saw them advance.

Although not fully sure of their destiny before their final game with Claremorris, the draw meant Ballaghaderreen progressed with the bonus of a quarterfinal home tie.

By doing so they did themselves proud and exceeded the expectations of many of their own followers.

In that crucial tie with Claremorris, it was their ability to score goals that provided their lifeline. Second best, particularly in the opening period, they made the most of their rare forays into opposition territory by securing the maximum returns.

Maybe Darragh Kelly and Kane Philips were prowlers in chief when it came to goal-scoring, but it was Kuba Callaghan’s accuracy from place kicks that kept Ballagh' in touch throughout.

Ballintubber await and predicting what version of the old warhorse we get remains to be seen.

There’s no doubt that once Cillian O Connor plays near full capacity they are a different proposition. Kilmeena found that to their cost the last day when he nailed them for eight points.

How to deal with Cillian is at the heart of the issue facing Ballaghaderreen.

Detailing David McBrien to shackle him may be a decision manager Tomas Morley has to activate.

If this course of action materialises it will confine county man McBrien to the defensive regions and curtail him influencing matters further afield. It was from his midfield promptings that much of Ballagh’s better work stemmed the last day.

Though Ballintubber have been running on memory so far, I feel there is a big game awaiting release. Diarmuid O’Connor can still summon a big performance from the vault, while Michael Plunkett and Jason Gibbons can equally bring their collective experience to bear.

If they rediscover something close to the form that made them compelling viewing in the past, they can take their voyage a stage further.

CONSISTENT CONTENDER

In the final tie Breaffy host Westport – last year’s beaten finalists and this year’s most consistent contender facing the 2022 champions.

It’s a clash that has all the ingredients for a real thriller. Breaffy, after their mid-season implosion, have responded to manager Sean Deane’s direction and calmness.

Inspired by a dominant and hungry Aidan O’Shea, aided and abetted by Matthew Ruane and David Neary, among others, they have faced down every challenge to date.

Here they meet this year’s Jekyll and Hyde outfit.

Westport, on form, have looked irrepressible; proof positive was their Division 1 league final display against Mitchels and a compelling opening half against Ballina last time out.

Yet in the second half of that game against the Stephenites, they vanished off the radar, lost all cohesion, self-destructed, and presented Ballina with two complimentary goals on a platter right at the death.

Which version of Westport will arrive in Breaffy remains to be seen.

Certainly Lee Keegan, the McLaughlin brothers, Killian Kilkelly and Rory Brickenden have the power, pace and variety in their game to make it difficult for the home side. Can they deal with the problem named Aidan?

Will Rory Brickenden shoulder the thankless task? If he does and breaks even, Westport can claim the spoils.

Overall, then, I think it’s looking rosy for the away teams at the weekend.