Mayo clubs to begin 2026 league campaigns next weekend

As the Mayo senior footballers got their Connacht SFC campaign underway last weekend, attention now turns to the club scene as the 2026 Abbvie Mayo Senior Football Leagues takes place across Friday, Saturday and Sunday next, April 17/18/19.

The new league format sees Divisions One, Two, Three, Four and Five have ten sides, with two promoted and relegated at the end of each season. Every ‘A’ team, with the exception of Moygownagh, are in these divisions, as well as six ‘B’ teams.

Division Six is split into four regional leagues and is made up of 29 clubs, including Moygownagh, 26 ‘B’ teams and two ‘C’ teams.

The side who tops each of the regional sections will advance to the Division Six semi-finals, and the winners of those semi-finals will be promoted to Division Five.

There are some mouth-watering fixtures on the opening weekend in Division One. Crossmolina meet Westport in a repeat of their Mayo SFC semi-final last year while there is a meeting of the league and championship winners last year as Breaffy travel to James Stephens Park to take on Ballina Stephenites. There is also a local derby in Division 1 as Castlebar Mitchels host Ballintubber.

Aghamore, Charlestown, Balla, Ballaghaderreen and Mayo Gaels are among five senior clubs operating in Division 2 while Kilmeena, who won the intermediate championship last year, will be the only senior club playing in Division 3 in 2026.

Clubs have already been busy with divisional competitions getting underway last month, including the South Mayo O’Mara Cup and the East Mayo Centenary Cup, which was won by Ballaghaderreen. Ardnaree won the Sweeney Cup intermediate final while Knockmore defeated Ballina Stephenites in the Sweeney Cup senior final replay. Last Friday’s scheduled Kelly Cup final between Balla and Castlebar Mitchels was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.

Mayo SFL Fixtures 

Friday, April 17 (all games at 7pm) 

Division 6D (Mid-county): Castlebar Mitchels ‘C’ v Westport ‘C’, John McHale, Kiltimagh ‘B’ v Ballintubber ‘B’, Michael McGahon.

Saturday, April 18 (all games at 7pm unless stated otherwise) 

Division 1: Crossmolina Deel Rovers V Westport, James Regan, Castlebar Mitchels V Ballintubber, Liam Devenney, Claremorris V Béal an Mhuirthead, Jerome Henry, Ballina Stephenites V Breaffy, John Glavey, Knockmore V Garrymore, Paul Lydon.

Division 2: Aghamore V Ballinrobe, Declan Corcoran, Charlestown Sarsfields V Balla, Ronan Gurren, Davitts V Ballaghaderreen, Shane Corcoran, Hollymount-Carramore V Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin, Barry McDonnell, Moy Davitts V Mayo Gaels, Declan Leonard.

Division 3: Ardnaree Sarsfields V Burrishoole, John Brennan (5pm), Kilmeena V The Neale, Rory Courell, Cill Chomáin V Ballyhaunis, Kevin Corcoran, Eastern Gaels V Bonniconlon, Declan Hughes, Louisburgh V Kiltane, Sean O'Neill.

Division 4: Swinford V Shrule/Glencorrib, John Clancy (4pm), Kilmaine V Ardagh, Garryowen McMahon.

Division 5: Ballycastle V Northern Gaels, Enda Nolan, Ballycroy V Kilmovee Shamrocks, Henry Gaughan.

Sunday, April 19 (all games at 1pm) 

Division 4: Lahardane MacHales V Westport ‘B’, Paddy Chambers, Aghamore ‘B’ V Killala, Kevin Connelly, Kiltimagh V Breaffy ‘B’, Jon Finn.

Division 5: Knockmore v Achill, Mark McWalter, Tuar Mhic Eadaigh V Claremorris, Jamie Hoban, Castlebar Mitchels V Islandeady, Gerard Gibbons.

Division 6C (South): Ballinrobe V The Neale, John Jennings, Shrule/Glencorrib V Davitts GAA, Declan Hughes, Garrymore V Mayo Gaels, Mark Tuffy.

Division 6B (North and West): Crossmolina Deel Rovers V Kiltane, Declan O’Boyle, Moygownagh V Cill Chomáin, Mairtin Flannery, Béal an Mhuirthead V Northern Gaels, John Walker.

Division 6A (North and East): Moy Davitts V Ardnaree Sarsfields, Tiernan Burke, Ardagh V Swinford, Cormac Reape, Ballina Stephenites V Charlestown Sarsfields, Colm Reilly.