Castlebar - County Mayo - The Weekend ahead

As far as weekends go this is going to be probably one of the biggest this year with the All-Ireland Ladies Football Semi-Final between Mayo and Dublin, the county senior semi-final replay between Knockmore and Kiltane, both semi-finals in the intermediate championship, junior finals across the board and in soccer, the pinnacle event of the calendar with the AIB Mayo League Challenge Cup Final between Manualla and Erris United.

First to Gaelic Games, the ladies go out to make amends for last years heart breaking defeat to Laois when they face Dublin in the semi-final this is vital for a side that has brought a breath of fresh air to the ladies game and will be reasonably confident. Also on the agenda for Saturday is the County senior semi-final replay between Kiltane and Knockmore. Micky Carey's charges surprised everyone with their excellent result last weekend and will be up for it but Knockmore will not be caught again.

Saturday evening also brings us the first of the Intermediate Championship semi-finals with Castlebar Mitchells taking on Shrule/Glencorrib in Ballinrobe. Mitchells will be slight favourites for this one but never write off the Mortimer brothers as they bid to take another big name scalp. If that's not enough sport then Sunday throws up some more exciting fare with the second of the Intermediate semi-finals between Ballinrobe and Claremorris. This one is going to be an interesting clash with local opinion calling it close.

Moving on to soccer, next Sunday (15 Sep 2002) brings the AIB Mayo League Cup final in Milebush between Manulla and Erris Utd. Both teams have had mixed seasons in the league, both having lead the superleague at one stage. But form counts for nothing at cup level and there is no doubt that Michael Dixon and Mossy Lally will have their teams at full strength for this encounter. Sunday will also see the official opening of the Henry Downes Stand by Milo Corcoran President of the FAI.

Local radio will be covering all events with Mid West covering the Ladies Semi-Final, the Senior Semi-Final replay and the second of the intermediate championship games. CRCFM will be covering the first of the intermediate championship semi-finals and will be at Milebush for the Mayo Cup final. So you will not miss a second of action over the weekend.