THE SIDELINE VIEW Ballintubber manager Kevin Johnson watches last Saturday evening’s Mayo SFC clash against Davitts with substitute Cillian O’Connor in the background. Pic: David Farrell Photography
Ger Flanagan
REIGNING champions Ballintubber remain the bookies’ favourites to land the Moclair Cup for the third season in a row ahead of next weekend’s Mayo SFC quarter-finals.
Kevin Johnson’s history-chasing squad are now 9/4 favourites to retain their title as they get set to face Knockmore next Saturday evening in MacHale Park, Castlebar.
After beating Charlestown and finishing second in their group, Breaffy are second favourites at 10/3 to land their first ever Moclair Cup. Their opponents next weekend, Ballaghaderreen, are what seems a massive price of 11/2 to win their first title since 2012.
Meanwhile, Martin Calvey’s Westport are placed at 4/1 to win their first ever county senior title while Ballina Stephenites are hot on their heels at odds of 5/1.
Knockmore are priced at 9/1 ahead of their meeting with the county champions next Saturday, while Aghamore (14/1) and The Neale (40/1) are priced up as outsiders.
Six games to be broadcast
TWO Mayo SFC quarter-finals will be broadcast live on RTÉ next Saturday evening.
At 5.30pm they’re showing the meeting of reigning two-in-a-row champions Ballintubber against Knockmore, before the meeting of last year’s county finalists Ballaghaderreen and Breaffy, which throws in at 7.30pm.
Both games are taking place as part of a double-header in MacHale Park and — due to the current Covid-19 Government guidelines and regulations — will take place behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, Mayo GAA TV will also be back in action this weekend with four games being made available for streaming for armchair supporters.
In the Mayo SFC on Sunday, they will be broadcasting the Mayo SFC double-header in MacHale Park, with Westport facing off against The Neale (2pm) and Ballina Stephenites taking on Aghamore (4pm).
Elsewhere in the Intermediate championship, the local derby between Balla and Mayo Gaels will be broadcast live on Saturday at 3.30pm from Claremorris. Kiltimagh’s meeting with Crossmolina, which takes place on Sunday at 12pm in Ballina, will also be streamed by Mayo GAA TV.
Injury worries
AFTER three championship games in four weeks most teams in action next weekend have some injury worries ahead of their respective do-or-die matches
The quad injury that kept Cillian O’Connor out of last weekend’s win over Davitts will be of major concern to Kevin Johnson and Ballintubber. The former Mayo captain will be hoping to be fit to play some part while Brian Murphy is also carrying a groin injury.
Paul McHugh’s Ballagh’ lined out without Cian Hanley and Shairoze Akram in their Round Three group game versus The Neale last weekend, two players who services will be badly needed against Breaffy.
Meanwhile, Brendan Harrison is yet to feature for Aghamore in this year’s championship due to an ankle problem, while Fionn McDonagh was only fit enough to come on during the second half of Westport’s win over Castlebar Mitchels.
