MacHale Rovers look team to beat at inter level

Mayo LIFC Round 1: Preview 

The Mayo ladies intermediate football championship is one of the most competitive championships in the county, and this year’s edition proves no exception.

Group A includes 2024 junior champions Aghamore, last year’s semi-finalists Ballyhaunis, Division 2 league champions Moy Davitts and 2024 intermediate runners-up Louisburgh, and all four will feel they are capable of getting through to the semi-finals.

Ballyhaunis were beaten by eventual winners Claremorris in a close semi-final last season and will feel they can go a step further and Moy Davitts, who enjoyed a big win over Kilmoremoy to win the Division 2 title, have Sandra Hall, Ava McGahon and rising star Kate Byrne to do damage.

For Louisburgh, much will stand on the shoulders of the Needham twins Ciara and Tara while Aghamore, who lost the semi-final last year to MacHale Rovers, will look to build on a solid showing in their first year in intermediate after winning junior ‘A’.

“We were happy with how we did getting into the semi-final. We obviously know what the standard is now that we have to aim for,” said Aghamore’s Mairead Mooney. “This year we kind of put our stall out to try and open up a little bit and reach that standard. We have a tough group, but we're hoping we can put in some good performances and who knows what happens then.

“Winning junior obviously was a great achievement for us, but intermediate is a step up again. Even the speed, the intensity, all that. We definitely took a lot of learnings from last year and we're hoping we can carry it into this year's championship now.

“The games are all going to be really close and really tight so you can't afford to look too far ahead. But I suppose our aim will be just to get a good performance in every week, and then we'll see what happens.” Aghamore also have the challenge dual players, with the return of the Mayo camogie team this year putting increased demands on the squad. But it is not something the East Mayo side are new to.

“It's something we've dealt with for a long, long time. A lot of girls on the team would be dual players and this year they're playing club camogie, Mayo camogie, club football so we try and balance the workload as best we can but in fairness to girls they never kind of shy away from it or complain. They just get on with it,” said Mooney.

Calling Group B is a tough challenge, with last year’s runners-up MacHale Rovers, junior champions Swinford Killasser, Davitts and Carnacon all looking to reach the semi-finals.

It was truly the end of an era Carnacon, who were relegated after over two decades of unrelenting dominance in senior, which included 21 consecutive county titles, 16 Connacht championships and six All-Ireland titles.

It has been a steady decline since Knockmore ended their reign in 2021, with their relegation confirmed after defeat to Hollymount last year, and they will look to return to senior at the first time of asking.

Standing in their way are Swinford Killasser, winners of junior ‘A’ last year and who will hope to emulate the bounce that East Mayo compatriots Aghamore got when winning junior themselves, and Davitts, who have been a steady presence in intermediate over the years.

The favourites to top the group, and win intermediate outright, are MacHale Rovers. With inter-county stars Charlie Reilly Benson, Sinead Walsh, Eilis Keane and Kayla Doherty, they boast one of the best squads at this level.

“We’re really looking forward to getting going again. I think we've got even stronger too,” said Keane at last Thursday’s championship launch. “A few more girls have come into the group. I know it's going to be tough. There's some massive teams there to be playing but we're really looking forward to it. I think we're well-placed to be back here again in October.

“I know it's going to be tough game [against Davitts], especially when it's away, but we're really looking forward to it. It's going to be a test.

“It's hard to know, the first game out, how we're going to go but we're really looking forward to it. Davitts are always an awful tough test but hopefully we'll come away with a win.” 

Doherty feels the experience of playing for Mayo has had a big influence on the squad as a whole.

“We had a great season with Mayo this year, playing with the best. Going back to club we try to bring that in, help the new girls that have come in, the younger girls, just make them feel comfortable and then as a team going forward it helps us to build,” said Kayla Doherty, whose partnership with Sinead Walsh in attack will cause many a problem.

“It's brilliant to have Sinead beside me. It makes my job a lot easier and hopefully it makes her job a lot easier as well.” 

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Mayo LGFA Championship – Round 1 

Saturday, August 15 (7pm) 

Intermediate – Group A: Aghamore ‘A’ v Louisburgh, Ballyhaunis v Moy Davitts ‘A’.

Junior A – Group A: Kilmeena v St Brigids.

Junior A Group B: Parke KC v The Neale.

Junior B – Group B: Kiltane v MacHale Rovers ‘B’, Westport ‘B’ v Cill Chomáin.

Junior C – Group B: Eastern Gaels v Castlebar Mitchels ‘B’.

Sunday, August 16 (11am unless stated otherwise) 

Senior – Group A: Kilmovee Shamrocks v Charlestown, Castlebar Mitchels ‘A’ v Westport ‘A’ (1pm).

Senior Group B: Hollymount v Burrishoole, Claremorris ‘A’ v Knockmore (1pm).

Intermediate – Group B: Carnacon v Swinford Killasser, Davitts v MacHale Rovers ‘A’ (1pm).

Junior A – Group A: Breaffy v Kilmoremoy.

Junior A – Group B: Balla v Tourmakeady.

Junior B – Group A: Kilmaine v Kiltimagh (1pm), Belmullet BYE.

Junior C – Group A: Claremorris ‘B’ v Moy Davitts ‘B’, Ballinrobe v Achill (1pm).

Junior C – Group B: Shrule Glencorrib v Mayo Gaels.