Mayo Club Championship roundup: Crossmolina dazzle, Kiltane win Battle of the North, Moy Davitts and Knockmore march on
Knockmore goalkeeper Colm Reape during the Mayo SFC quarter-final match between Knockmore and Ballintubber at St Joseph's Park in Knockmore. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The final places in the Mayo GAA Club Championship Senior and Intermediate semi-finals were confirmed this afternoon.
Two goals from Darren McHale and one from Conor Flynn saw last year’s runners up Knockmore reach a third straight semi-final 3-9 to 0-6, ending Ballintubber’s journey in the process.
Crossmolina put on a clinic, with Kobe McDonald, Jordan Flynn and Conor Loftus outstanding, as the All-Ireland intermediate champions comprehensively defeated Belmullet 1-24 to 0-12 to secure their place in the last four.
In Intermediate, Moy Davitts held off a gallant Ballinrobe display to reach the semi-finals once again 2-14 to 1-14.
There was drama in Bangor between Kiltane and Cill Chomáin. Both sides finished with 14 men, while Mikey Sweeney missed a penalty for the home side but Kiltane finished strongly to see off their neighbours 2-15 to 0-9 and reach the semi-finals.
In the other relegation semi-final, Charlestown pipped Mayo Gaels 0-13 to 0-12 to retain their senior status. Mayo Gaels, meanwhile, now meet Ballyhaunis in two weeks in the relegation final in what is a repeat of the 2021 intermediate final.
The intermediate relegation semi-finals saw contrasting games. Islandeady came through a nailbiter against Louisburgh 1-16 to 0-15 while at a wind-swept Castlebar, Lahardane made the most of the conditions to defeat Burrishoole 3-22 to 2-21 in a thriller. Louisburgh and Burrishoole will now meet in the relegation final in a fortnight in a battle to avoid the drop to Junior A.
Elsewhere, there was history made in the Junior A Championship as Ballycroy defeated Ballycastle 0-9 to 0-6 to reach their first quarter-final in 38 years.
