Kobe McDonald and Crossmolina advance as Mayo club quarters take shape

In the Mayo SFC quarter-finals, Breaffy host Westport while Garrymore will welcome Crossmolina, Claremorris face Belmullet and Aghamore clash with Castlebar Mitchels

KObe McDonald has returned from Australia to line out with Crossmolina Deel Rovers in the Mayo SFC. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

FOOTBALL fever continued all across Mayo at the weekend when thousands turned out to see who would book their tickets to the knockout stages of the senior club championship. 

Reigning three-in-a-row champions Ballina Stephenites had been eliminated before Saturday's final group game against Balla, but they roused themselves to earn a battling win which saw them avoid a relegation dog-fight.

Elsewhere Kobe McDonald was back in the Crossmolina line-up for their clash with Mayo Gaels as his side needed at least a draw to make the quarter-finals.

All games were played in neutral venues and the action began on Friday night when Castlebar Mitchels and Garrymore clashed in Hollymount. Both sides had already booked their tickets to the last-eight, but the prize for the winner was a home quarter-final.

Castlebar with Paddy Durcan, Bob Tuohy and Donnacha McHugh in their ranks were favourites, but they lost out to a ravenous Garrymore side powered by Enda Hession and Eoin McGreal. The winners were full value for their 0-19 to 0-14 win and will be hoping to drive on and get their hands on the Moclair Cup for the seventh time in their history.

Claremorris were without the injured Darragh Beirne, but they continued their unbeaten run with a hard-earned win over Charlestown who had Mayo centre-half-forward Paul Towey in fine form. However, it was exciting young forward Niall Hurley who caught the eye with another excellent display as Claremorris guaranteed a home quarter-final.

Mayo midfielder Jack Carney inspired his Kilmeena side to their first ever win in the senior championship when they upturned the form-book to defeat Westport in Castlebar on Saturday. This was a momentous win for Kilmeena who looked destined for a relegation dogfight until they powered past their next-door neighbours who had Rory Brickenden and Lee Keegan in their ranks.

Despite the defeat Westport advanced to the knock-out stages thanks to their superior scoring difference.

Cillian O'Connor's Ballintubber side missed out on the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008 when they were beaten by Aghamore who were powered by Mayo attacker Fergal Boland and inter-counaustty hurler Liam Lavin. Ballintubber were five clear at the break, but second-half goals from Seán Óg Tighe and Jack O'Connor saw the East Mayo men triumph 2-13 to 1-12 and seal a home quarter-final.

Crossmolina joined them in the last eight after battling their way to a draw with Mayo Gaels who were already destined for the relegation play-offs. Crossmolina named a strong side. Jordan Flynn was back from injury and his brother Kobe McDonald was back in the fold after returning from Australia, but they found the going tough in terrible weather conditions in Charlestown. A huge crowd watched through the rain, and Mayo Gaels looked like causing an upset as they led into the final moments but an equaliser from Flynn balanced the scores and sealed an away quarter-final for the men in maroon.

Ryan O'Donoghue helped Belmullet into the last eight with a well-earned win over Andy Moran's Ballaghaderreen in Ballina. Belmullet faced into the wind in the opening half but with O'Donoghue and Seamus Howard to the fore, they were well in contention at the interval and powered clear in the third quarter. Ballagh' launched a fightback near the end, but Belmullet, who were reduced to 14 men when goalkeeper Shane Nallen was black-carded, did enough to win.

In the final game of the weekend, Aidan O'Shea's Breaffy side were too strong for former champions Knockmore. O'Shea's inter-county colleagues Jack Livingstone and Matthew Ruane were prominent all through as the side managed by Seán Deane continued their impressive drive through the rounds.

Livingstone and Ruane each landed two two-pointers and O'Shea added another as the West Mayo men won on a 0-22 to 1-14 scoreline.

The quarter-final draw was made at the end of play and four intriguing ties will be down for decision on the weekend after next. Breaffy will host Westport while Garrymore will welcome Crossmolina to their famous home ground on the plains of South Mayo. Claremorris will host Belmullet and Aghamore will roll out the red carpet for the arrival of Castlebar Mitchels.