Intriguing Mayo championship ties as knockout stages take shape
AGHAMORE will face Castlebar Mitchels while Breaffy have been drawn against Westport in two of the standout Mayo Senior Football Championship quarter-finals following a dramatic final weekend of group action.
There is plenty of intrigue in store in the Mayo senior championship, with the quarter-final and relegation picture now decided following a weekend which produced several twists and turns.
Aghamore emerged as one of the big winners from the final round, securing top spot in Group 3 and a home quarter-final after overcoming Ballintubber.
Crossmolina Deel Rovers also advanced from the group after a dramatic draw with Mayo Gaels, finishing second behind Aghamore.
That leaves Aghamore facing Castlebar Mitchels in the last eight, while Garrymore will host Crossmolina Deel Rovers.
Garrymore go into their quarter-final with serious momentum after they defeated Castlebar Mitchels by 0-19 to 0-14 in Hollymount on Friday night.
The other two quarter-finals see Breaffy take on Westport and Claremorris face Belmullet.
Breaffy had already established themselves as one of the sides to watch before the final round, winning their opening two Group 4 games against Ballaghaderreen and Belmullet before this afternoon's win against Knockmore.
Westport, meanwhile, suffered a major setback on Saturday when they were beaten 2-15 to 2-13 by Kilmeena.
Claremorris have been one of the stories of the group stages.
Their impressive 1-28 to 6-11 victory over Westport in Round 2 had already announced their credentials, and they followed that up by getting the better of Charlestown in the final round.
The four quarter-finals, to be played on the weekend of September 18, 19 and 20, therefore have plenty of storylines attached to them, with Aghamore, Garrymore, Breaffy and Claremorris all carrying strong recent form into the knockout stages and will have home advantage in their quater-finals.
SURVIVAL
For four other senior clubs, however, the next games will all be about keeping their senior status alive.
An east Mayo derby is on the cards when Charlestown meet Ballaghaderreen in one of the Senior Championship relegation ties, while near neighbours and repeat pairing of Mayo Gaels and Balla has also been thrown up.
The losers will face a difficult battle to retain their senior status for 2027.
Charlestown's relegation involvement comes despite a campaign which saw them defeat Kilmeena.
Balla, meanwhile, were beaten by Ballina Stephenites on Saturday, 2-12 to 1-18, leaving them facing the trap door.
Intermediate championship
The Egan Jewellers Intermediate Championship has also produced a series of interesting knockout ties.
Moy Davitts will meet Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin, Ardnaree Sarsfields face Ballinrobe, Kiltane take on Islandeady, while Ballyhaunis meet Davitts.
Moy Davitts go into the quarter-finals having produced a strong finish to their group campaign with a win against Lahardane MacHales.
Davitts, meanwhile, finished their group campaign in style with a comprehensive 4-20 to 0-20 victory over Louisburgh.
Kiltane also showed their credentials by defeating Cill Chomáin 1-22 to 2-17 on Saturday, completing a strong group-stage campaign.
Islandeady enter their quarter-final against Kiltane after a 3-14 to 1-16 victory over Kilmaine.
Ardnaree and Kiltimagh could not be separated in their final group game, playing out a dead-rubber draw.
For the four teams at the other end of the Intermediate Championship, survival is now the priority.
The Neale will face Louisburgh in one relegation semi-final, while Cill Chomáin will meet Kiltimagh in the other.
Mayo Senior Championship
Quarter-finals
Aghamore v Castlebar Mitchels
Breaffy v Westport
Garrymore v Crossmolina
Claremorris v Belmullet
SENIOR RELEGATION
Charlestown v Ballaghaderreen
Mayo Gaels v Balla
Mayo Intermediate Championship
Quarter-finals
Moy Davitts v Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin
Ardnaree v Ballinrobe
Kiltane v Islandeady
Ballyhaunis v Davitts
INTERMEDIATE RELEGATION
The Neale v Louisburgh
Cill Chomáin v Kiltimagh
Date, fixtures and times to be confirmed in due course.