Last year’s finalists fancied to go one step closer

Mayo IFC Quarter-Final 

Saturday, September 30 

4pm in Tourmakeady 

Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin v Kilmeena 

Ref: Vincent Neary (Bonniconlon)

A West Mayo derby cracker is on the cards when Kilmeena and Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin face off in the first of the intermediate quarter-finals this Saturday.

Kilmeena have been on the up and up ever since winning the Mayo, Connacht and All-Ireland junior titles in 2021 and 2022. Although they came up just short in their quest to achieve back-to-back promotions after defeat to Ballyhaunis in last year’s intermediate final, John Reilly’s side have not let it affect them as they look to take the next step.

Jack Carney is the heart and soul of the team but he is supported by a strong cast that includes Darragh Keaveney, Caolach Halligan, Joey Smith, John McGlynn, Stephen Staunton, Niall Feehan and John Ryan.

A surge in the second-half saw them beat Ardnaree and while defeat to Louisburgh will have been disappointing, they routed Kiltimagh to make sure of their place in the last eight.

Like Kilmeena, Parke are another team on the up that has been boosted by a strong underage structure in recent years.

Young stars like Cian McHale, Sean Sweeney, Simran Singh and Darragh Reilly are supplemented by the experience of Simon Cloherty, while Ronan Carolan is among the best forwards at this level.

A stunning comeback win over Davitts in Round 1 was backed by a late burst against Islandeady to seal progress to the quarter-finals. There was little on the line against Bonniconlon but the manner of the performance will have irked Mark Concannon and his backroom team.

This contest will be an intriguing one between two teams hoping to make the breakthrough. Parke haven’t won an intermediate quarter-final since 2013, losing in their last six appearances (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022). Kilmeena look likely to make it seven.

Verdict: Kilmeena