Ladies have lots to gain and lots to lose
Charlestown’s Abby Conway in action against Kilmovee’s Shauna Golden in the last round of the Mayo LGFA AbbVie SFC. Both sides can still qualify for the semi-finals. Picture: David Farrell Photography
SENIOR
Two of the semi-final places in the senior championship have already been confirmed. Group A has seen reigning champions Westport, as expected, saunter into the last four and they will top the group regardless of results.
The other semi-final place in Group A will go to either Kilmovee Shamrocks or Charlestown Sarsfields. Kilmovee face Castlebar Mitchels, who are heading for the relegation playoff, in the final group game, and are favourites to advance to the knockout stage over Charlestown, who face Westport in their final group match and who need to better Kilmovee’s result to progress.
Group B sees a repeat of the 2022 final, as Burrishoole face Knockmore, who are guaranteed a place in the semi-final even before their final group game. Burrishoole, who defeated Knockmore for that breakthrough senior title, know a repeat of that will see them top the group at Knockmore’s expense.
Even a defeat will likely not affect their progress to a semi-final however, due to their superior points difference. Claremorris, who drew with Burrishoole in Round 2, would only go through at Burrishoole’s expense should they record at least a 17-point win over Hollymount and Burrishoole lose by a similar margin.
Aghamore have one foot in the semi-finals after winning their first two games and can assure themselves of top spot should they avoid defeat against neighbours Ballyhaunis.
A win for Ballyhaunis could see them take top spot from Aghamore on the head-to-head rule should Moy Davitts fail to beat Louisburgh. But if the Moysiders and Ballyhaunis both win, it would leave three teams on six points and points difference would come into it, which could see Ballyhaunis out of the championship.
Louisburgh will not make the semi-finals no matter what happens but could still save themselves from a relegation fight should they beat Moy Davitts, and Ballyhaunis avoid defeat to Aghamore.
Matters are less complicated in Group B. Last year’s runners-up MacHale Rovers are guaranteed to top the group, while their opponents Swinford-Killasser are destined for a relegation scrap.
The other semi-final spot is a straight shootout between Carnacon and Davitts. Given their superior points difference, Davitts must simply avoid defeat against the six-time All-Ireland senior champions while Carnacon need to win to make sure of their progress.
In Group A, Kilmoremoy are into the Junior ‘A’ semi-finals and joining them will be one of Breaffy and Kilmeena, who will meet on Saturday evening. Kilmeena must win while a draw will do the Blue and White.
Group B is tight to call. Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin will top the group if they avoid a loss to Balla. Should Balla win, a potential scenario with three teams locked on six points is on the cards.
That will happen if Balla and Tourmakeady both win. Balla will go through on that front on points difference and if Tourmakeady also defeated The Neale by more than six points, that would send Parke out.
Saturday, September 12 (all games at 7pm unless stated otherwise)
Senior – Group B: Claremorris v Hollymount (in Mayo Abbey), Burrishoole v Knockmore (in Parke).
Intermediate – Group B: Carnacon v Davitts (in Balla), MacHale Rovers v Swinford-Killasser (in Foxford).
Junior ‘A’ – Group A: Kilmoremoy v St Brigid’s (5pm in Ardagh), Breaffy v Kilmeena (5pm in Westport).
Junior C – Group A: Achill v Moy Davitts (5pm in Tourmakeady), Ballinrobe v Claremorris ‘B’ (5pm in Mayo Abbey).
Sunday, September 13 (all games at 11am unless stated otherwise)
Senior – Group A: Castlebar Mitchels v Kilmovee Shamrocks (2pm in Swinford), Charlestown v Westport ‘A’ (2pm in Breaffy).
Intermediate – Group A: Aghamore v Ballyhaunis (in Kiltimagh), Moy Davitts v Louisburgh (in Islandeady).
Junior ‘A’ – Group A: Balla v Parke-KC (in Charlestown), The Neale v Tourmakeady (in Ballinrobe).
Junior ‘B’ – Group A: Kilmaine v Kiltimagh (2pm).
Group B: Cill Chomáin v MacHale Rovers ‘B’ (in St Brigid’s), Kiltane v Westport ‘B’ (in Kilmeena).
Junior C – Group B: Castlebar Mitchels ‘B’ v Mayo Gaels (in Claremorris), Eastern Gaels v Shrule Glencorrib (in Kilmovee).
