Castlebar - County Mayo - A mad sports weekend!

We may be heading into winter but by the way things are hotting up on the sporting front you would swear that it was the middle of July. But obviously it's not and next weekend sees the beginning of the winter season in rugby and soccer and the wind down in gaelic games. Soccer may have seen the cup final on Sunday last (for those who don't know, it was won by Manulla who beat Erris 5-1), but it doesn't mean the end of the season by any stretch of the imagination. Indeed it means the beginning of the major cup competitions at national and provincial level.

Next Sunday Mayo Clubs are in action in the first round of the FAI junior cup. This is the competition that Castlebar Celtic reached the quarter final in two years ago, only to be defeated by Peake Villa of Tipperary, a side managed by former Nottingham Forest great Tommy Gaynor. The opening games have thrown up a couple of crackers, Manulla, This year's AIB cup winners believe it or not take on the side they defeated only last Sunday. That side being Erris United. Erris will be sick of the sight of them considering they meet again the following week in the last game of the league. Of the main clubs in action, Castlebar Celtic take on Ballyglass, Fahy Rovers take on Mulranny, Snugboro take on Ballyheane in a local derby, Crossmolina face Ballinrobe Town, Straide and Foxford travel to Claremorris while Glenhest Rovers travel to Hollister. Some good games there you will agree. There is one league game in the Premier Division where Lacken host Charlestown.

The Saturday sees the Mayo under 21 league side face Mervue United. This game is still unclear as they are actually fixed to meet the previous Thursday under lights in Terryland (home of Galway United).

On to rugby, and with Connacht still on a high after their dramatic win against Leinster on Friday night last, its back to action on the Friday with a home game against Newport(the Welsh club, not the town between Castlebar and Westport). Ireland begins their world cup Qualifying campaign against Russia in of all places Siberia! Mayo sides are in action over the weekend with the opening round of matches in the AIL qualifying division. Castlebar get things underway with a home game against Creggs, this could be good as both sides feel that they have a lot to prove after last season for two totally different reasons. Westport get their season underway in earnest with a trip to the Racecourse and a Game against Ballinrobe. The last of the Mayo teams in action is Ballyhaunis who travel to Loughrea. The rest of the fixtures sees Sligo take on Tuam, Gort take on Monivea and Corrib are at home to OLBC. There are under 21 interprovincial and senior club fixtures so stay tuned to local press and media for details on those.

The GAA season may have the All Ireland football final on Sunday but you wont have to travel anywhere near Dublin to see top quality gaelic games. The juniors take centre stage this weekend with finals in East Mayo junior A and B. the A final will have Eastern Gaels taking on Aughamore and the B final sees Kilmovee face Moy Davitts. There are games in the County senior league in Division 1,Divisions 2A and B, Division 3 and 4. Not many games but every one vital as the places are decided for the promotion and relegation playoffs. The countdown begins in earnest to the All Ireland Ladies final the following Sunday and that is just a taste of what to expect. As always stay tuned to local Radio and Press for full coverage and results.