The second round of group games took place this weekend in the senior and intermediate club championships, with more matches played at junior level as well. Once more the weekend’s action didn’t disappoint.
The big news from this weekend in the senior championship is that three-in-a-row Moclair Cup winners Ballina Stephenites are out after just two rounds. Following their opening round loss to Garrymore a fortnight ago the champions went under by seven points to Castlebar Mitchels on Friday night, That result, combined with Garrymore’s win over Balla means the Stephenites cannot now qualify from Group 2.
The outcome of Friday evening’s match at Josie Munnelly Park has blown this year’s race for the Moclair Cup wide open. Westport, such unlucky final losers last year, would be one of the teams expecting to profit from Ballina’s exit but they were beaten yesterday evening by a Claremorris team who have now won two from two. Charlestown, thanks to a fortunate late goal against Kilmeena yesterday, are back in the hunt for a place in the knockouts from Group 1, with a tasty third round meeting with Claremorris up next.
Aghamore and Crossmolina couldn’t be separated after a thriller at Aghamore on Friday night, with both clubs still aiming to progress from Group 3 as they head into the final round. So too are Ballintubber who today beat Mayo Gaels to get off the mark in the group.
In Group 4, meanwhile, there’s also a three-cornered battle heading into the final round for the two knockout places on offer. Knockmore easily disposed of Ballaghaderreen yesterday while earlier today Breaffy came away from Tallagh with a win over Belmullet.
Here’s a full round-up of the weekend’s results in the senior, intermediate and junior championships:
Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship
- Group 1: Claremorris 1-28 Westport 6-11; Charlestown Sarsfields 2-11 Kilmeena 1-11
- Group 2: Castlebar Mitchels 1-17 Ballina Stephenites 1-10; Garrymore 1-12 Balla 0-10
- Group 3: Aghamore 1-14 Crossmolina Deel Rovers 0-17; Ballintubber 1-23 Mayo Gaels 2-13
- Group 4: Béal an Mhuirthead 1-8 Breaffy 0-15; Ballaghaderreen 1-9 Knockmore 1-24
Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship
- Group 1: Kiltane 1-20 Hollymount-Carramore 0-14; Cill Chomáin 0-4 Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin 3-18
- Group 2: The Neale 0-12 Ballinrobe 0-19; Ballyhaunis 1-13 Castlebar Mitchels B 0-12
- Group 3: Moy Davitts 0-19 Davitts 1-10; Lahardane MacHales 0-18 Louisburgh 1-12
- Group 4: Kilmaine 0-24 Kiltimagh 2-15; Islandeady 1-9 Ardnaree Sarsfields 5-13
Treanlaur Catering Junior Football Championship
- Group 1: Ardagh 3-12 Killala 1-13; Ballycroy 1-19 CLG Acla 2-16
- Group 2: Burrishoole 1-18 Bonniconlon 0-8; Shrule/Glencorrib 5-17 Moygownagh 1-16
- Group 3: Eastern Gaels 6-18 Swinford 0-15; Ballycastle 2-6 Kilmovee Shamrocks 3-19.
We have three podcast shows for club members on Patreon reviewing all of the weekend’s action in the club championship. Our Friday and Saturday shows are already up and our Sunday one will be online a bit later on tonight. To access these shows and all our other great premium audio and written content on MFT, for just €5 per month (plus VAT) or a single annual payment of €52 (plus VAT), join the club HERE.
My Ball says:
August 23, 2026 at 6:02 pm
Kiltane for me for intermediate title
Jimmy192 says:
August 23, 2026 at 7:19 pm
I believe Ballycroy Achill was a draw
Observer2 says:
August 23, 2026 at 7:37 pm
Does anyone know when the neutral venues for Round 3 games will be announced ?
JP says:
August 23, 2026 at 7:39 pm
Swinford being so totally on the floor. Is that not something that needs county board assistance?
Glorydays says:
August 23, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Good win for Breaffy on the road against Belmullet and Aido man of the match still going strong. Its wide open at the moment
Micheal Moran says:
August 23, 2026 at 9:13 pm
Ballycroy 2-16 Achill 1-19
Culmore says:
August 23, 2026 at 9:17 pm
What is wrong in Swinford
Anne-Marie says:
August 23, 2026 at 11:11 pm
Wasn't overly blown away by the quality of the games I saw this weekend if I'm honest, but then I probably made the wrong call yesterday by heading to Ballagh and not Claremorris after the Charlestown game. The highlights reel couldn't possibly have contained all the highlights of that one! One to.watch back for sure.
Kilmeena were very unfortunate to lose in the manner they did, but it really wasn't the own goal that lost it for them, it was their poor shooting throughout. Towey unsurprisingly was the standout player for Charlestown - unmarkable - but looked to be in agony for the last quarter after injuring his ankle. Championship is championship and it's win at all costs but it was still a hard watch seeing him struggle for that long.
The less said about Ballagh v Knockmore the better unfortunately. Knockmore did look impressive and much sharper than their first evening out but Ballagh barely laid a hand on them. Knockmore v Breaffy could be a cracker. Mitchels were impressive enough against Ballina, I thought Bob Tuohy had a fantastic second half as had Paddy D but Ballina faded out and their over-reliance on Evan Regan finally caught up with them. They've had a good innings! Whether Mitchels have the forwards to compete remains to be seen. Neil Douglas scored a peach of a goal off the bench, mind.
Still think intermediate is wide open. It's between PKC, Kiltane and Moy Davitts I feel and it's now or never for the latter, if they haven't already missed their opportunity.
Ardagh put Killala away with relative ease today, but it still feels like there is a lot of room for improvement there if they are to going to challenge for Junior. I'm biased, but the pitch there looks unreal, they have put serious work into it in recent years and it really shows. New stand too.
Very hard to see Swinford floundering like they are - they should be getting into full crisis mode now.
Mayojoe says:
August 24, 2026 at 12:28 am
I've been wondering for a long time why Swinford football is so poor,considering the size of the town and it's hinterland it should at least be on a par with Charlestown. From asking a few locals involved in the club they blame lack of commitment from players but I sense there's a bigger problem somewhere else. Maybe time for a crisis meeting and an honest assessment of the situation and make drastic changes. Something needs to be done.
Anne-Marie says:
August 24, 2026 at 9:22 am
Should've included Ardnaree as contenders for intermediate there, my bad
yew_tree says:
August 24, 2026 at 7:38 pm
Anne-Marie - I’d also include the other Davitts as contenders. I know they were beaten by Moy Davitts but they for me can still have a big say. Moy Davitts have failed multiple times and until they go and win it I’ll be unconvinced by them.
Claremorris 1951 says:
August 25, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Who are favourites for the senior title now I wonder? It must be wide open between at least six teams. Castlebar, Breaffy, Crossmolina, Claremorris, Knockmore, Westport.. Could this bé Breaffy's year at last? Aido would then, at last, end the year with both medals he has coveted for all of his career.