Kobe McDonald return boosts Crossmolina hopes of first Mayo SFC title in 20 years

St Kilda's decision to allow Kobe McDonald play for Crossmolina Deel Rovers in the Mayo SFC has given a significant boost to the club's chances of winning a first senior title in 20 years

Kobe McDonald's Crossmolina face Mayo Gaels on Sunday. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

The news that Kobe McDonald is available to play for Crossmolina in the Mayo SFC this weekend may be making most of the headlines, but there are plenty of other stories and sub-plots to be found elsewhere too.

These third round matches will make or break some teams' seasons, especially with only two teams already qualified for the quarter-finals.

Technically that leaves nine teams competing for the remaining six slots in the knock-out stages, some of them needing just the right result to stay in the competition while others also need favours and minor miracles.

The two teams assured of their places in the quarter-finals are Castlebar Mitchels (who knocked out the reigning champions Ballina Stephenites in the last round) and Garrymore.

They meet in Hollymount on Friday evening to decide who tops Group 2 and so gets home advantage in the last eight.

There is a lot more to play for in Group 1 where Charlestown face table-toppers Claremorris in Aghamore and Westport take on Kilmeena in a local derby in Castlebar.

Claremorris, who stunned Westport in the last round, are expected to keep their winning streak going and get the result that would earn them a home quarter-final.

As things stand they would have to lose on Saturday by more than 11 points to miss out on a place in the knock-out stages.

However, a surprise Charlestown victory would propel them back into the mix if Kilmeena, last year’s Intermediate winners, managed to turn over their neighbours Westport.

But last year’s beaten finalists should be too strong and a win for them would be enough to seal qualification.

Group 3 is where Kobe McDonald comes in.

St Kilda’s decision to allow the Crossmolina teenager to line out for his club in the coming weeks means that the Deel Rovers’ chances of winning a first Moclair Cup for 20 years has improved dramatically.

They play Mayo Gaels on Sunday. Oddly, the game will not be streamed by Mayo GAA TV. The Gaels are already destined for the relegation play-offs.

So anything other than a comfortable Crossmolina win would be a surprise.

The other game in this group sees Aghamore take on Ballintubber with the winners knowing they will live to fight another day, while the losers will be out of the championship.

A draw would also be enough for Aghamore to sneak through.

And so to Group 4 where there is the most potential for nail-biting drama and sliding doors moments.

Most of the focus will be on Gilmartin Park in Kiltimagh where Breaffy are pitted against Knockmore in a repeat of the 2020 County Senior Final.

Breaffy have won their first two games in the group and yet a certain sequence of events could see them miss out on a place in the last eight.

If Belmullet beat Ballaghaderreen, which they are expected to do, and Breaffy come out on top in their game, then they would win the group and Belmullet qualify in second place.

However, if Belmullet beat Ballaghaderreen and Knockmore beat Breaffy then there would be three teams on four points. The scoring difference needed to decide which two qualify for the quarter-finals would only be calculated using the games between the three teams (their results against Ballaghaderreen would be discounted).

That is when things would get extremely interesting and nerve-racking.

Let the games begin.