Breaffy have score to settle as ‘Port look to reignite season
Matthew Ruane has carried the form that helped inspire Mayo to All-Ireland glory through to the club championship for Breaffy. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie
Breaffy’s reward for a flawless group campaign is a home quarter-final against a Westport side that has looked brilliant, vulnerable and everything in between over the opening three rounds of the championship.
There is also an added subplot. 12 months ago Breaffy looked to have one foot in the semi-final before Westport staged a dramatic late comeback. The opportunity to avenge that defeat now presents itself and, judging by Breaffy’s form so far, they will relish the challenge.
Sean Deane’s side arrive in the last eight with a 100 per cent record after victories over Ballaghaderreen, Belmullet and Knockmore. What has stood out most is the variety of their attacking threat. Breaffy have amassed 0-59 across those three games and, perhaps more significantly, have become one of the championship’s most effective exponents of the new two-point rule.
Their Mayo goalkeeper Jack Livingstone has been a huge weapon from placed balls, while Matthew Ruane, Aidan O’Shea, Joe Mellett, Conor O’Shea and others have all contributed on the scoreboard. Their six two-pointers against Knockmore followed seven against Ballaghaderreen and crucial long-range scores in their win away to Belmullet in between.
Breaffy’s physical profile has also caught the eye. Ruane’s influence around midfield has been immense, Robbie Fadden and Daire Morrin have provided drive from deep, while Aidan O’Shea remains a focal point capable of dictating games whether operating around midfield or closer to goal.
Westport, meanwhile, remain one of the championship’s most dangerous teams despite finishing the group stages with successive defeats. Their opening-round demolition of Charlestown was arguably the most ruthless performance produced by any side in the competition this year, with Finbar McLaughlin kicking five two-pointers in a devastating 1-30 tally.
Even in defeat they have continued to demonstrate enormous scoring power. They plundered six goals against Claremorris and added two more against Kilmeena. Ben Holmes has emerged as a major threat inside, while Killian Kilkelly, Joey Holmes, McLaughlin and Lee Keegan, from deep, have all played leading roles in an attack capable of hurting opponents from both long range and direct deliveries into the full-forward line.
The concern for Westport is that they have looked increasingly open defensively. Claremorris scored 1-28 against them and Kilmeena, despite losing their two previous games, hit 2-15 in a deserved victory last time out. For all their attacking brilliance, Westport have struggled at times to gain control around midfield and have been punished when opponents have managed to break through their defensive structure.
That is where this contest could be decided. If Breaffy’s power around the middle third allows them to establish the same platform they enjoyed against Knockmore and Ballaghaderreen, they will back themselves to limit Westport’s opportunities and build scoreboard pressure.
Yet Westport possess match-winners all over the field and few teams can live with them when their attacking game clicks into gear. No one will need reminding just how close they came to winning a second Moclair Cup last year – the first day and in replay – so their pace, movement and willingness to take ambitious scores makes them a dangerous proposition next Sunday, regardless of form.
On current evidence, Breaffy appear the more complete and consistent side. But knockout football has rarely been straightforward between these clubs, and with memories of last year's quarter-final still fresh, another high-quality and fiercely contested encounter looks certain. The feeling is that Breaffy have earned favouritism. Westport, however, remain more than capable of producing a championship statement when it matters most.
