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It is a normally a once in a lifetime thing for most people, some get a second chance at it, but for the vast majority it is a one shot deal. Getting to an All Ireland Club final is the most special occasion for anyone involved in a club. It is the pure essence of what the GAA is about, the smallest unit of the organisation, making it all the way to the greatest stage that it possibly can. While the All Ireland senior club championships have been one of the highlights of the GAA calendar for decades now, the introduction of the All Ireland championship at junior and intermediate level has brought the ability to achieve the ultimate to every club in the country which has a rutted field, a run down club house, and puts out a team into championship action every year, against the odds of modern life, the depopulation of rural Ireland, and the mass youth emigration that is currently happening across the isle.

Just like last year Mayo will square off against NUIG in the home final of the FBD League on a Friday night in McHale Park. The prize for the winners, a trip to New York in October to take on the exiles in the away final, should be enough motivation for any amateur player, but both sides have bigger fish to fry in the coming days and weeks, which will be a distraction this evening.

Only 60 minutes separates Davitts from making not a little bit of history, but one that will be remembered for as long as the men from the borderline towns of Ballindine and Irishtown play football. On Sunday in Tullamore, one more win and an All Ireland final beckons for the men in black and red next month.

It was not exactly back with a bang, but inter-county football was back last weekend for Mayo when they took on and defeated a hard working Leitrim side. January throws up very little in definite road signs for the direction the summer will take, but there were a few new options in route planning on show that will have given both James Horan and the Mayo supporters something to think about in the coming weeks and months.

Mayo 0-10

The Mayo squad for the FBD league and the NFL will also see some new faces.

It was a glorious afternoon for football last Sunday at McHale Park with conditions absolutely perfect for football for this time of year. Those who turned up for the occasion were treated to two fantastic games of football. The big crowd didn’t arrive until minutes before the second match, but those who got in early enjoyed a superbly contested junior championship encounter between Islandeady and Clonbur.

Davitts 1-13

There’s no rest for the men in black and red from south Mayo as their impressive march through the intermediate ranks looks to continue on Saturday afternoon in Kiltoom. Last weekend it was Carrick-on-Shannon where they came out three point winners over the Leitrim champions Melvin Gaels in a hard fought provincial semi-final encounter. They are hitting the road again tomorrow to take on the Roscommon champions Padraig Pearses. Captain Michael Conroy was once again the go-to-man, scoring 1-7 of his sides total of 1-12. Conroy’s goal early in the game pushed his side into a five point lead early on which was vital in the outcome of the game, as Melvin Gaels pushed Davitts hard in the final third of the game. On Saturday, they will need to be on top form again to see off the challenge of the Roscommon champions. Pete Warren will be hoping that Conroy keeps up his good form along with the likes of Colm Boyle, Ronan McNamara and Paul Carey who picked up an injury during last weekends game for tomorrows showdown.

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Davitts, a fortnight ago they hung on against Burrishoole to claim their first Mayo Intermediate title in 30 years in McHale Park. They managed to curb the celebrations enough last weekend to beat Kiltimagh by 1-16 to 1-7 to secure promotion to Division 1A of the senior football league for next season, and if Breaffy fail to beat Bohola Moy Davitts on Saturday night they can add the Division 1B championship to the top table for the dinner dance.