Little is certain ahead of inter exam
Stephen Coen would be a welcome addition to the Hollymount-Carramore team were he fully recovered from his injury problems. Picture Ryan Gallagher
Saturday, September 5
Cill Chomáin v Kiltane
6pm in Belmullet
REF: Colm Reilly
Both Cill Chomáin and Kiltane will have pencilled in this game following the draw earlier this year, but few would have expected to have so little riding on the outcome.
Kiltane are assured of a home quarter-final after beating Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin and Hollymount-Carramore, while Cill Chomáin are guaranteed to be in the relegation playoffs after defeat to the same two opponents.
While they gave a good account of themselves against Hollymount-Carramore, the manner of Cill Chomáin’s defeat to Parke on home soil in Round 2, scoring only four points on the day, will have been bitterly disappointing and you imagine there will be some sort of reaction as they look to build confidence ahead of their relegation semi-final.
Kiltane were not at their brilliant best when they beat Hollymount-Carramore, but they have shown their ability to dig in when required – also evidenced by their comeback in Parke – and the Blue and Yellow will be a serious threat in the knockout stages.
Indeed, Kiltane defeated Cill Chomáin in the quarter-final last year and a similar outcome is expected, but it will be a battle. It always is with these two.
Sunday, September 6
Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin v Hollymount/Carramore
1pm in Islandeady
REF: Enda Nolan
This has all the makings of a thriller in Islandeady, as Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin and Hollymount-Carramore battle it out to see who joins Kiltane in the quarter-final.
After a third straight defeat to Kiltane, one felt this Parke group were coming to a crossroads. But they answered the doubts with a mauling of Cill Chomáin, with Jack McLoughlin, Aaron McHale and Colm Lynch in sparkling form.
Hollymount-Carramore battled well in both games against Cill Chomáin and Kiltane. They won the former but never looked like getting the better of Kiltane. What they would give to have a fit-again Stephen Coen, who has yet to play for his club since picking up an injury that ruled him out of Mayo’s All-Ireland final win over Kerry.
He may return, and a battle with Colm Lynch would be an interesting one, but you feel the Black and Amber have enough attacking weapons to see off the men from ‘The Saucer’.
Sunday, September 6
The Neale v Ballyhaunis
3pm in Davitt Park, Ballindine
REF: Jamie Hoban
The Neale and Ballyhaunis would have had similar ambitions at the beginning of the championship, but that is where the similarities end.
The border boys, who will be in a relegation battle regardless of the result this Sunday, have been disappointing to say the least. Key forwards Tom Lydon and Tommy Conroy have been well marshalled in the losses to Castlebar Mitchels ‘B’ and Ballinrobe and it could be another tough day against a Ballyhaunis side who have the joint-best defence – along with Ardnaree – in the intermediate championship so far.
How Ballyhaunis disposed of Ballinrobe in their opening game showed they mean business as they look to bounce straight back to senior. The win over Castlebar Mitchels ‘B’ was a first home championship victory in 12 years and that it came without All-Ireland winning captain Jack Coyne demonstrated the depth of their panel.
As Ballyhaunis are assured of a home quarter-final, there will be no need to risk Coyne if he is not fully fit. But even without the defender, Ballyhaunis should have enough in the tank here.
Sunday, September 6
Ballinrobe v Castlebar Mitchels ‘B’
3pm in Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Tourmakeady
REF: Ronan Gurren
A straight shootout for a quarter-final place takes place in Tourmakeady next Sunday, and Ballinrobe will hope for a similar outcome after their last meeting with Castlebar Mitchels ‘B’ in this very venue.
The two sides met in the 2023 intermediate semi-final, with Mitchels having a surprise run to this stage. Ballinrobe ended the fairytale in convincing fashion, but one suspects this could be a much closer affair.
Ballinrobe were much improved after their home loss to Ballyhaunis with a win over neighbours The Neale and should the likes of Cian O’Connell and Kevin Quinn find their range again, confidence will be high that the Robesiders can make the knockouts again.
Having secured safety with a win over The Neale in the opening round, the pressure is off Mitchels in this one and that will make them dangerous. Eoghan Hughes, Stevie Keane and Eoghan O’Reilly are key cogs, but they no longer have Conor Stenson and Brian McDonnell available as they played for the seniors against Ballina Stephenites.
The depleted depth, coupled with Ballinrobe’s greater need for progress, should see the South Mayo side advance.
Saturday, September 5
Lahardane MacHales v Moy Davitts
6.30pm in St Joseph’s Park, Knockmore
REF: Mark Tuffy
Moy Davitts put one foot in the quarter-final with an impressive home win over Davitts, but did it come at a price?
Both Brian Reape and Brian Heneghan were withdrawn early due to injury, but such is the attacking power and depth of the Moysiders attack that it did not overly affect them, with a six-point haul each from Stephen Clarke and Cian McHale helping Moy Davitts to victory.
Lahardane have their own sharpshooter in Shane Finnerty, who may be the best two-point scorer in the championship across all the grades. He kicked five of them against Davitts and raised another three in the victory over Louisburgh that secured their safety, but the Bofeenaun-based side are heavily reliant on him for scores.
Lahardane have an outside chance of not only advancing to the quarter-final, but topping the group should they beat Moy Davitts, and Davitts fail to beat Louisburgh. But both those scenarios are unlikely to happen.
Saturday, September 5
Davitts v Louisburgh
6.30pm in Ray Prendergast Memorial Park, Clogher
REF: Sean Reilly
For Davitts, the equation is simple: equal or better Lahardane’s result against Moy Davitts and they are in the quarter-finals.
The Ballindine-based side will not be short on motivation, having failed to advance from the group stage last year and they will be favourites against a Louisburgh team who look set for another relegation battle.
Davitts welcomed Mayo selector Colm Boyle back into action for the game against Moy Davitts and the experience of the All-Ireland winning coach and former All-Star will be crucial, along with Fenton Kelly and the Treacy brothers Shane, Ciaran and Niall.
Louisburgh will wonder what might have been against Lahardane. They led by a point with 10 minutes to go but failed to add any score in the last moments of the game. A victory there would have led to a shootout between these two for a quarter-final place but instead, Louisburgh are trying to prevent Davitts from reaching it – a task they are unlikely to accomplish.
Saturday, September 5
Ardnaree Sarsfields v Kiltimagh
4pm in St Tiernan’s Park, Crossmolina
REF: Jamie Hoban
Hopes were high in Kiltimagh that the Mayo and Connacht junior champions could make a splash on their return to intermediate, but it has not materialised.
A disappointing defeat at home to Islandeady was followed by a loss to Kilmaine, and the boys in blue are now facing another intermediate relegation fight, regardless of what happens against Ardnaree Sarafields next Saturday afternoon.
The North Mayo men continue to enhance their reputation and put five goals past Islandeady last time out, and another deep run in the championship looks on the cards.
Having already beaten Kilmaine and Islandeady, Ardnaree are guaranteed a home quarter-final, and they may not take chances with key men like Cathal Noone and John Timlin. But their stacked attacking options will be too much for the East Mayo men regardless.
Saturday, September 5
Islandeady v Kilmaine
4pm in Cong
REF: John Glavey
It is all on the line in Cong as Islandeady and Kilmaine battle it out to see who joins Ardnaree Sarsfields from Group 4 in the quarter-final stages.
The final scoreline between Ardnaree and Islandeady (5-14 to 1-9) would suggest the Moysiders had it easy, but Islandeady created plenty of opportunities in the game. Converting them was the problem. That will need to be rectified if they are to advance any further, with Kilmaine’s better scoring difference meaning that the West Mayo side must win on Saturday.
Kilmaine do not have that issue if their win over Kiltimagh is anything to go by. They scored 0-24 on the day, with over half (0-13, four two-point frees) coming from the boot of Adam Barrett while All-Ireland winner Hugh O’Loughlin chipped in with a trio of orange flags.
Any replication of that form, coupled with Islandeady struggling to find their range again, and there is only one winner.
