Junior replays top the bill on Saturday

Fri, Sep 22, 2017

Now that the dust has settled on the inter-county season for another year attention turns back to the local scene this weekend with the double header of replays in the Mayo Junior Football Championship on Saturday evening announcing the return to local action. The action will get under way at 6pm with the meeting of Ballycastle and Kilmeena, followed by the clash of Balla and Achill at 7.30pm.

Connacht need to get back to winning ways

Fri, Sep 22, 2017

Pressure mounts on Connacht Rugby to deliver a winning performance when Cardiff Blues arrive at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday (3.15pm). Cardiff, without a win this season, will take heart from fellow Welsh outfit Dragons, whose fighting performance saw them romp to victory over Kieran Keane's side last weekend. However this week Connacht forwards coach Jimmy Duffy says Connacht are in a better place having completed the review of that 21-8 defeat to Bernard Jackman's side.

It all comes down to Sunday in Super League race

Fri, Sep 22, 2017

The race for the Super League title comes down to this Sunday, with both Westport United and Manulla still in with a shout of claiming the title. The defending champions Westport United know that they need just a point from their game away to Claremorris to retain the title, while Manulla will be hoping they can see off local rivals Castlebar Celtic on the road and that Claremorris do them a favour to force a play-off for the title. If fortune favours United it will be a fantastic fourth league title in a row for the Covies. These two games kick-off at 2.30pm.

At the bottom of the table there is still plenty to sort out with Ballyheane looking to pull themselves level with Glenhest Rovers and force a play-off for the final relegation spot alongside the already relegated Achill Rovers. Ballyheane travel to the aforementioned Achill Rovers knowing they need a win, while a point for Glenhest Rovers at home against Ballina Town will keep them safe in the top flight for another season. These two games will kick off at 12 noon. The other game in the top flight is the meeting of Ballyglass and Straide and Foxford United also kicking off at 12 noon, but there is nothing of consequence riding on this game unlike the other four on the final day of the season.

It just wasn’t to be for brave and battling Mayo

Sun, Sep 17, 2017

Sometimes it’s not about being the better team, it’s about finding ways to win games when you are probably second best on the day. Dublin were able to do that, they were able to get themselves over the line right at the end when it mattered most and they claimed their third All Ireland title in a row.

Here we go again.....

Fri, Sep 15, 2017

All-Ireland final fever is here. I still have to pinch myself to contemplate that Mayo are back in the football showpiece again. Looking at Mayo's run to the final you'd almost forget that it started against Sligo in Castlebar on May 21. The ticket fiasco is still the same, however, with most Mayo folk willing to beg, borrow, or steal to get their hands on that elusive golden ticket. Some novel efforts took to Tinder looking for a female acquaintance, the only catch was they had to have a spare ticket for the game. The most desperate are offering their spouses in return for a match day pass, it's all part of the fun, it's all part of the build up.

Looking to take the final step on the journey

Fri, Sep 15, 2017

"We’ll be competitive and we’ll be looking for a performance every day that we go out and we can be honest in ourselves and we did ourselves and the county proud and we’re going the right direction towards what our goals will be.” That's what Stephen Rochford said back in December 2015 — two days after he was appointed Mayo manager. While there have been days when things haven't quite gone to plan they have always been "honest" in themselves as a team and that's what has brought them to where they are right now, 70 minutes away from their final goal.

The Flying Doc is still fighting fit and backing Mayo

Fri, Sep 15, 2017

The Mayo senior football teams of 1950 and 1951 have gone down in both history and folklore among GAA folk the length and breadth of both the county and the country.

Marvellous Dubs can make it a three-in-a-row

Fri, Sep 15, 2017

Between the years 1947 and 1955 Rocky Marciano entered the squared circle 49 times and remained undefeated against all challengers. The reasons are many, including his relentless fighting style, punching power, stamina, and iron chin. However, at the end of his career, 49 pros had thrown everything they had at him, and he always found a way to survive. And win. Retiring with a perfect record 49-0 and an 88 per cent knockout rate, he stands as one of the undisputed greatest boxers of all time. Dublin footballers now stand on the cusp of such immortality with a possible three in a row of titles on the horizon.

The view from the stands and what drives on the green and red faithful

Fri, Sep 15, 2017

Did you ever consider how many miles it would be to fly from Castlebar to Boston? It is very doubtful that sort of random thought came into your head. Do you follow Mayo around the country religiously to every senior game home and away? Well if you’re from Castlebar and take MacHale Park as your starting point for each of those journeys this season, then you will probably have travelled about 120 more miles than it is by air from Castlebar to Boston, by the time you get home from Sunday’s All Ireland final. Crazy as it seems, these are the lengths Mayo fans go to.

Mayo stand on the edge of greatness

Fri, Sep 15, 2017

Come 5pm on Sunday evening, Mayo's 10 game odyssey through the All Ireland championship will have come to an end (but don't discount a replay - the way this year has gone). Hopefully green and red ribbons will be hanging off the handles of Sam Maguire, and Cillian O'Connor getting ready to lift the old trophy high in the air in the hands of a Mayo man for the first time in 66 years.

Take time to recall the Mayo stars of the past

Fri, Sep 15, 2017

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in! I could apply that quote to the Mayo Advertiser asking me to return for a one-off All-Ireland final article or to Mayo football itself. Either way, I am delighted to be in this position in mid-September. As ardent football fans we have been deservedly rewarded in this county. Supporters have fed off our team’s energy and vice versa. That relationship is an essential component for a successful season so do what you can to make it to Dublin this weekend and bring the colour, bring the noise. When the 66-year drought ends this Sunday and the pent-up euphoria is unleashed with little hope of abating, my one concern is that the names of the men who built a football-loving county and laid the foundations for thousands of fanatics and players may be lost in the many celebratory renditions of The Green and Red of Mayo.

Making the small improvements to get over the line

Fri, Sep 15, 2017

He's only 22 years old and already has a final personal collection of honours in the game; All Ireland winners' medals at minor and u21 level, two national young player of the year awards and a collection of club medals in his back pocket. But the one that drives him and other players on is still there to be won. Hopefully, by Sunday evening that collection will be complete for Diarmuid O'Connor.

E-paper

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