Great Podcast. Some very good interviews. Easy to be upbeat when you win a game but I thought Kevin Beirne Claremorris manager was very impressive. On another note for someone who lives outside the county I find it so annoying to try to get updates on matches as they are being played. How difficult would it be for someone who is at a match to post an update on this wonderful blog. Complements to you WJ and all the team.

Hi RosTown,
I've been chipping away at a project that might help with tracking scores but it's only a hobby thing. I doubt it will be ready before the end of championship this year but hoping it could be ready for the league next season.
You are welcome to view it here to get an idea of the style - http://51.20.187.56/gaaertel

I live outside the borders now too (only north Roscommon so not too far away) but I love keeping up to date with club championship. I was at Aghamore vs Breaffy a few weeks ago.

If anyone is au-fait with Ubuntu, I'm having an issue with the web server hosting the project and wouldn't say no to any advice.

Apologies Willie Joe, it's been so long since I commented I am unsure what name I used previously.

Watching Breaffy/Cbar and Claremorris v B’tubber was like watching matches being played in old rules. Breaffy cbar was just a very poor quality game. Ballintubber were impressive in how they set up. A mature team. Claremorris looked better 12 months ago than they do now. They looked really sharp and exciting against Belmullet last year. They’ve been really flat so far in 2025.

You can't beat a championship.game between neighbours to really get things going.

GROUP 1: Ballina Stephenites, Crossmolina Deel Rovers, Béal an Mhuirthead, Knockmore

GROUP 2: Breaffy, Castlebar Mitchels, Balla, Mayo Abbey

GROUP 3: Ballaghaderreen, Aghamore, Charlestown Sarsfields, Ballyhaunis

GROUP 4: Westport, Ballintuber, Garrymore, Claremorris

INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
GROUP 1: Ardnaree Sarsfields, Lahardane MacHales, Cill Chomáin, Kiltane

GROUP 2: Kilmeena, Burrishoole, Islandeady, Louisburgh

GROUP 3: Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin, Moy Davitts, Castlebar Mitchels B, Davitts (5 into group 4 doesn't go)

GROUP 4: Hollymount/Carramore, Kilmaine, Ballinrobe, The Neale

JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
GROUP 1: Ardagh, Killala, Ballycastle, Northern Gaels, Bonniconlon

GROUP 2: Kiltimagh, Kilmovee, Swinford, Eastern Gaels

GROUP 3: Ballycroy, Achill, Shrule/Glencorrib, Tourmakeady

The local rivalries would bring bigger crowds earlier in the championship and allow matches be played at 4 different time slots so people could go see a few matches in their local area and would be a bigger social event amongst neighbours and work colleagues

At the minute, it's a feat of logistics to see multiple matches in your locality in the same weekend

Same old story with Claremorris, they get over excited with a few Minor players , throw them in and the older established players leave.Gameplan was pathetic yesterday overdoing the handpass.No leaders and few players in late 20s and 30s.

Claremorris have been the disappointment of the championship in 2025. They continued to pass sideways and deploy a sweeper while being 7 points down and on the verdge of being out of the championship. It was evident the lack of scoring power when D Beirne and Hurley were held. Are Adam Beirne and James Shaughnessy injured? Both didn’t feature yesterday after being named in the program. You can only use the young lads excuse for so long! Ballintubber leaders stood up when needed cuteness and experience personified. They may have a say in the latter stages yet. Hopefully COC is okay, he may have had a knock or they were resting him but he was off 5 mins into the second half

Cillian hardly touched the ball yesterday.

Squareball Breaffy a close second. Gone backwards last two years.

Since Andy came on board loads of mayo fans on here and elsewhere lobbying for an attack built around AOS and a returning Cillian.

The evidence from the championship so far tells me we really need to be moving on from that and trying something new, AOS goalchance miss was a shocker on Friday night, 3 yards out and an open goal and he can't trust swinging his right foot at it and misses after turning onto his left. Cillian for me, just hasn’t got anywhere close to his best since thd achilles injury, he clearly has 2 pointers in his locker but I have serious reservations about his speed agility in the new rules.

Both would obviously still be huge squad options to have but I would like to think Andy has something a little fresher/different in mind because if we are building the attack round the 2 lads again in 26 we really aren't learning lessons

Knockmore 4 Westport 3 after 18 mins

K 4 wport 6 after 25

Have to agree with you Supermac.
Time to look to the future.

Ht k5 sport 7.
Lively game. Keegan, McLaughlin running the show for westport but open game. Sean Holmes very solid and Orme brothers and Darren mcHale influential

Thanks for the updates.Ontheditch.

Holly Carra are 1-9 to 0-4 up on Moy Davitts at HT!

Kiltane 3-11 Islandeady 1-7 also HT.

K 9 wport 8 after 40

Can't say I've seen any calling for the attack being built around the older brigade, but plenty calling for the oldies to be pulled back in. The hope is new management means all jersey's are up for grabs and they pick the best available to them. Biggest caveat is that doesn't always mean the best players get a spot, needs to be the best that fit the style of play. Disappointing to see we've not yet seen many senior forwards put their hands up. But its way too early yet to cast judgement

1-11 apiece between Holly Carra and Moy Davitts now.

UPDATE: second goal for Moy Davitts, this one from Brian Heneghan. 2-14 to 1-12 to them now, with five minutes to go.

In Knockmore game how was Ruttledge pulled for taking to long when down injured, yet Westport keeper took nearly minute and a half for the equalising free.

K 14 wport 14, late 2 pointer from wport to get the draw

Moy Davitts 2-18 Holly Carra 2-14 FT.

How westport didnt get a penalty for a foul that was clearly in the box, few questionable decisions in that game, also castlebar B hammering lahardane, few of those lads might be called up to the senior squad after that performance

Some comeback by Moy Davitts.

Technical foul on the road. So free correct. Was bit of charge to do could be free out, but would need see again.

Last free they brought up and across the list about 30 yards to middle pitch, didn't think that was a thing either. Need get the book out :)

Knockmore will be disappointed they couldn't protect a 3 point lead, 14 -11 with a few minutes left. All the county players stood out. Also Sean Holmes and Martin Orme were impressive. Colm Moran back for westport but not on long enough to make impact. Good to see eoghan mclaughlin getting through games without injury

He was pulled to the ground not sure that comes under a technical foul, moy davitts kicked 2-14 in the 2nd half they have scoring power that the majority of senior clubs would die for, there must have been a big breeze at the saucer?

Few more results:

IFC: Castlebar Mitchels B 3-17 Lahardane MacHales 0-6
IFC: Kiltane 5-14 Islandeady 1-10
JFC: Eastern Gaels 2-14 Swinford 0-18
JFC: Shrule/Glencorrib 1-9 Achill 0-11

@Gizmobobs: It's an interesting one.

Nothing obvious in the wording "may choose to take the free kick from outside the 40m arc" to either allow or rule that out, so at that point it'd depend on whatever guidance the refs have received.

I've seen a number (club and intercounty, underage and senior) allow that centring and a number deny it, ruling the kick must be taken in a straight line from the original infraction. Wasn't a major factor for Paddy's kick (opened the goal up a couple of degrees), but if it was on the wrong side for a kicker at a tight angle it'd be a relative game changer being able to swing it around like that.

@Ontheditch: Thought Connell Dempsey (MOTM for me - though EMcL single handedly sparking Westport into life early on vital too), Joey Holmes and Brian McDermott all put in great shifts too.

Interesting as always Tsu, two referees with me would be of opinion it's not allowed, so based on your feedback it seems it's just a grey rule with no, or poor guidance on it communicated. As worded it's permitted, as not explicitly Not allowed so to speak.
Agree on Eoghan McLaughlin he was very prominent. Dempsey as well had a solid game, especially in the second half with some big catches in the middle.
OMalley when introduced as well for Westport had an influence, as did Durkan for Knockmore upfront, whose movement caused havoc in Westport backlines.

On the road, lovely but breezy day in Mayo today, will definitely have bearing on games where it's straight up or down pitch. Hollymount Carramore will have be disappointed with such a large concession in one half, especially at home. Moy Davitts certainly have threats up front, especially at that grade level.

Half time in Charlestown
Ballaghadereen 2-5
Charlestown 1-6.
Ballaghadereen seem the better team and were coasting. But a late surge from Charlestown pegged back a 6 point lead

@TsuDhoNim. Pretty much a team effort on both sides. Dempsey definitely worth another look. What age is Sean Holmes- did a very good job on Kevin Keane. Brian McDermott a bit of an unsung hero, will always put in a big shift.

Joke of a free in given to Ballina that resulted in first goal.

Level pegging at half-tine in the North Mayo El Clasico! Cross 0-11 Ballina 2-5.

Belmullet leadig Aghamore 1-5 to 0-4 at HT.

Ballagh' 3-11 to 2-11 up on Charlestown (latest score in the second half). Paul Towey has kicked 1-9 so far in that one.

Great stuff with the updates Willie Joe.

1 - 9 from Towey..unreal!!

Few Junior half-times:

Kiltimagh 0-7 Tourmakeady 0-2
Burrishoole 0-6 Cill Chomain 0-3.

Fiull time in Charlestown
Ballaghadereen 3-13
Charlestown 2- 12

Ballina 3-6 to 0-14 up now, early in the second half. Ciaran Treacy with his second goal got the third one.

Belmullet 1-6 to 0-4 up just after the restart in Tallagh.

Tourmakeady 1-13 Kiltimagh 0-11 FT.

Cross one up now! 0-16 to 3-6.

Fourth goal for Ballina! Evan Regan flicked this one to the net from a long ball in. 4-9 to 0-16 now for the Stephenites, midway through the second half.

Belmullet leading Aghamore by 1-10 to 0-8.

Ballina 4-09
Crossmolina 0-16
48:40 gone.

1-17
4-09
51:31

Goal for Cross, Niall Coggins. Ballina just one up now, 4-9 to 1-17, nine minutes to go.

Another goal for Cross! Kevin Mulhearn with this one. The Nineties are back!

2-17
4-09

The best game I've watched in years!

Third goal for Cross, this one from Conor Loftus. They're six up and a man up with time running out now.

Kobe, Loftus and Oisìn have been excellent.

Cross 3-20 Ballina 4-10, in injury time. Jordan Flynn second yellow, Sean Regan was the black card for Ballina.

Kobe McDonald bloody hell!!

Belmullet 1-12 Aghamore 0-12 FT.
Crossmolina 3-20 Ballina 4-10 FT. Huge statement win from Cross.

The Ballina v Garrymore game will be some slog. Can't imagine it will be one for the ages.

Congrats to Cross always said it would be a big ask for Ballina to do the 3 in a row . Cross could win county that would be huge for them.

Fair play to Conor Loftus great to see him back .

Two injury time goals for Cill Chomain against Burrishoole to snatch a draw! 0-16 to 2-10 there.

New post up now with all the weekend's results.

What a talent - Kobe has literally everything, cross just ran the legs off ballina in the last 10 mins.

Kobe McDonald a joy to watch today.

What a talent Kobe is!
That was the best game of football I’ve watched in many years. Crossmolina are a joy to watch

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Cross still playing like a intermediate team and not falling into the keep ball type of team we see a lot in senior football, they play to their strengths lots of pace and lots of attacking talent. Would not be surprised if we see these two meet in a semi or final later on in the competition.

Great game and both play good football but the Deel Rovers are something else when they click!

[Deleted].

It's incredible to see a 17 year old (not 18 until December) fetching ball in midfield and kicking points and running past lads like they aren't there playing senior championship football its a rare sight.

Fantastic stuff from Kobe but likewise Dylan Flynn was amazing, fielding balls , breaking up attacks and then finishing with point.
Class act and lovely to see the youth play with such freedom and bravery .
No issues but even when O Hora was giving them digs, they played ball.
Too soon for Mayo but my God it's lovely to see ball played like that and additions of Conor and Niall Coggins is worth a closer look and even at 20 Maheady is well worth a shot .

David Clarke remains immense , Thornton and Irwin showed really well and the natural ability of Evan Regan warrants a conversation

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There are a few outstanding footballers alongside Kobe too, Dylan, Oisin, Josh, Sean Og. It’s a joy to watch football being played like this, most enjoyable game I’ve watched in years. Like the 90’s!
Special mention to Conor Loftus too, he was outstanding today. Hard luck Ballina, and Up Cross!

@Outside of the boot. Maybe wait a bit longer before suggesting Mason Greenandredwood

How did Maheady play for Crossmolina

According to Mike and Aidan Kilcoyne Andy will be looking for a new goalkeeper in the upcoming season. Livingstone maybe? If Colm Reape wants a year out to travel then good luck to him.
Back to the championship and I think it's hard to look beyond the big four who played today. They all seem a bit ahead of Castlebar and Breaffy and I'm afraid that boat has sailed for AOS

Martin Carney was enthusing about him on Midwest, Glorydays. He went off before the end having picked up an injury of some sort.

Ok just Glorydays, mixes the good and bad far too much. Oisìn Deane was the best player on the field for me, never made a mistake and his link play is exceptional. I also thought Conor Loftus, Kobe McDonald and Josh Moyles had great games for Crossmolina. Ballina are far too reliant on Evan Regan for scores and don't seem to be improving.

Maheady plays that high intensity forward game so at times he will.miss a shot or ball will bounce off his hand as he sprints to get it but important thing is he's tries and tries and more often than not it comes off .
He's has a cutting edge confidence and 2 feet that very few if any forward in County have and still only young... he was the go to ball any time they were under pressure and never shirks responsibility.

Thanks Willie Joe and the West is best. Crossmolina have a great young team coming.

Some win for Cross. Kobe and Maheady superb.

Who will Belmullet want to knock out? Castlebar or Breaffy? The wheels seem to be coming off for Breaffy.

Knockmore look good for a 1st in group. Balla and Westport have it all to play for.

Ballintubber grinding but winning. Ballagh playing with more style. A home game for the winner.

Lots to be excited for.

Half forward line was sensational for cross and loftus and Kobe outstanding..
Belmullet need result against breaffy for home qf I think so they’ll want to be taking breaffy out @pod fan.

Tubber ballagh wull be a great game.

What age is Josh Moyles, thought we was exceptional today.

@ mayo mayo , josh is 18 , he was brilliant today .

Great performance from Cross- tradition is massive. Them young lads had no baggage at all. Pure belief when ballina got a few goals against the run of play.
Dylan Flynn the stand out for me.

We have to bear in mind that August football is very different to late October and the bigger more physical teams will suit those conditions more than cross.
Don’t rule out Breaffy with their size and experience although they do seem to be missing a trick somewhere

What's wrong with Swinford, can't win a game in poor Junior Championship

Thanks Deel Rover, one to keep an eye on

@Ontheditch: Seán Holmes would turn 24 this year.

Apologies. I missed that in the middle of all the action earlier.

Great to get the updates while the game's were in progress. Thanks for that Willie Joe and others.