Castlebar - County Mayo - The weekend ahead

This bank holiday is going to be special with one of the busiest weekends of the year. It all starts on Saturday with the Glenhest Soccer Tournament featuring some of the best sides in Ireland, including the Mayo Under-21 side in their final preparations ahead of their opening game of the eircom League when they face Galway United in Terryland on Thursday. That evening Mayo's hurlers go for glory when they face Antrim in the All Ireland Junior Hurling semi-final. Mattie Murphy and his selectors will be going all out to make the final where Meath or London face the winners. Then comes Sunday, All-Ireland football quarter final weekend. It all begins with Sligo (on a massive high after beating Tyrone) facing Armagh (already complaining about the pitch — I didn't hear Peter Ford complaining!). The game after that is to some the real All Ireland Final when Kerry Face Galway. These sides last met two years ago in the final, Kerry coming out on top after a replay. Then onto Monday. The last person in Castlebar will be switching the light off as Mayo face Cork. The history between these sides is long and varied and no one wants to remember 1989 (when they got beaten in the final), or in previous years when they have been beaten in the semi's. But things are different this year and who is to say that they won't come out on top. With Kieran McDonald back and David Brady playing at the top of his game it's not crazy to think about a semi-final appearance. Finally if that isn't enough Dublin face Donegal. This is a repeat of the 1992 final when Donegal came out on top but this year the Dubs will be red hot favourites. So whatever you do this weekend stick to local press and media for all that's happening.

P. S And Pakie Bonner's in town for the course over the weekend, Ballyheane launch their new website and an awful lot more. . . . . . .

P. P. S Did I mention that the rugby season is only a couple of weeks away. . . . . . . . .