We're blessed that Ballina and Westport are going toe-to-toe again

Prior to Sunday, the previous four Mayo SFC finals were, for the most part, poor fare.

Indeed, across the last two decades, there haven’t been many finals at all that would come close to the definition of classic.

The last classic this writer recalls is Ballina’s win over Crossmolina in Knockmore in 2003.

There have been close games with drama since – Ballintubber’s win over Breaffy in 2018, Castlebar’s win over Ballintubber in 2017, Crossmolina’s back-to-back wins over Shrule/Glencorrib and Ballaghaderreen (after a replay) in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Sunday was on a par and possibly above those.

It was hard to see that happening when Ballina, at their brilliant best, surged into a 0-9 to 0-1 lead in the first-half and appeared on course to make total fools of those of us who predicted Westport would win.

But in their quarter-final win over Breaffy and semi-final classic with Crossmolina (better than any of the aforementioned finals for what it’s worth), they displayed reserves of character which they needed in spades here.

You would have assumed Westport would have lost if you were told in advance that their two ace marksmen Colm Moran and Killian Kilkelly would, between them, only manage a point from play, and that in second-half injury-time from Kilkelly.

Although, as an aside, how must you feel if you are Killian Kilkelly and you see Sam Callinan trotting your way at the throw-in? Callinan was exceptional defensively and vital in driving Ballina forward late on when the game was slipping from them.

But while Kilkelly and Moran were kept under wraps, Westport showed their balance and variety with eleven different scorers and five more players who shot but did not score, showing the willingness and confidence throughout the team that 16 players took on shots.

None more so than corner-back Brian McDermott, who kicked his first score of the year and his first ever two-pointer as we headed for injury time.

Just after Ballina’s goal there was a moment which encapsulated the efforts of both teams.

After Dylan Thornton won a break, Eoghan McLaughlin stripped possession twice to set-up Killian Kilkelly. Thornton stretched every fibre of his being to fly through the air and execute one of the best blocks you will ever see.

After McDermott kicked the score of his life, Westport looked on course for victory.

But two big moments saved Ballina. Liam Golden sensationally caught a long ball over Kevin Keane’s head to set in train their last attack which ended with Tom Lambert fouling David Tighe 30 seconds later.

Frank Irwin was the calmest man in MacHale Park as he converted, seemingly oblivious to the massive pressure on the kick.

Aren’t we lucky that we get to see them go toe to toe all over again?

Moy Davitts must be sick to their teeth at the sight of Kilmeena.

In the five seasons they’ve played at intermediate since their relegation in 2020, Moy Davitts’ season has been ended by Kilmeena in three of those years.

There were semi-final defeats in Islandeady in successive years in 2022 and 2023 and now Sunday’s final defeat.

Kilmeena simply weren’t around in the other years – they were junior in 2021 and senior last year.

Every clash between the teams was close, but in the end, Kilmeena won the intermediate championship for 2025 because they simply knocked at the door more than Moy Davitts.

The West Mayo men had 11 more shots at the goals (33 to 22) than their opponents and eventually they made that pay.

They were not as efficient as Moy Davitts. Kilmeena scored 20 times from 33 shots for a conversion rate of 61 percent (three two-pointers and 17 singles). Moy Davitts had a very impressive conversion rate of 73 percent but they did not have the same critical mass of shots as Kilmeena, scoring 16 times from 22 shots. Those 16 scores included one goal, four two-pointers and 11 singles The single biggest reason for the disparity in shot numbers was Kilmeena’s ability to get a strong foothold at midfield, particularly after half-time.

Kilmeena retained seven of Paul Groden’s nine second half kickouts while they were able to win seven of Chris McGlynn’s 16 restarts.

The percentages there are revealing – Kilmeena retained 78 percent while Moy Davitts just 56 percent. It helped to ensure six more shots (18 to 12) and while Kilmeena had some poor misses in the third quarter, they were able to remain on the front foot for the most part and eventually it told.

Indeed, right after half-time, they won the throw-in and the first four kickouts, but only got two points from it. Eventually, though, all the possession would add up.

It was clear early on that Kilmeena were going after the Moy Davitts kickout, with an intense press. They won the first two of McGlynn’s restarts but the Donegal man adjusted brilliantly and Moy Davitts won ten of the remaining 14 kickouts in the half. Key to this were Conor Reid and Oisín McHugh. Reid caught three clean kick-outs and one break, against no less a man than county teammate Jack Carney while McHugh cleverly created space for himself to pick up four kick-outs to either wing.

In the second-half, McGlynn did really well to execute a series of kicks to space on the wings (seven in total). He had to because when he went long to a contest in the second-half, Kilmeena won seven out of nine such kickouts.

With physical presence and a ferocious work ethic, Kilmeena fought for kickouts like their lives depended on it. Kevin Ryder, in particular, was exceptional while substitutes Cormac O’Malley and Caolach Halligan made a big impact in this regard too.

In the first-half, Moy Davitts were incredibly efficient in front of goal with nine scores from ten shots, Ronan Clarke’s 23rd minute wide the only blot. Kilmeena also scored nine times from 15 shots.

Moy Davitts’ shot scoring threat and shot efficiency could only get them so far without the possession platform. They will be grateful the West Mayo men will be senior next year and they can try to end their heartache.

Since coming down in 2020, they lost the 2021 quarter-final to eventual winners Mayo Gaels, back-to-back semi-final defeats to Kilmeena in ’22 and ’23 (the latter after extra time) and, after losing last year’s final after a replay to eventual All-Ireland IFC champs Crossmolina, they face into another long winter after this final defeat.

They dug deep late on in this game but you could not shake the feeling that Kilmeena’s experience of winning an intermediate title two years ago was a significant factor.

Can Moy Davitts finally end the heartache in 2026? Or are they destined to become a side like Kiltimagh and Breaffy, with final defeats only adding to the scar tissue and stripping away at their confidence? It’s a tough road ahead.