Caherlistrane face difficult task against Davitts of Mayo

It’s been a perfect 2026 for Barry McCabe’s charges. After two early league defeats, they’ve won 13 consecutive competitive games to take Division 3A honours and the Cotter Cup. And another three wins could see them prepare to hit the New Year with national aspirations.

But in order to surpass the first Connacht hurdle, they face Mayo’s Davitts, just seven minutes from Galway’s Milltown, who’ll also harbour ambitions of an extended winter run.

Following victories over Ballyhaunis and Islandeady, Davitts won the Mayo intermediate championship for the first time since 2011 with a 0-23 to 0-17 victory over Ballinrobe two weeks ago.

Midfielder Fenton Kelly is their main star, a member of Mayo’s All-Ireland senior winners. And their main impact player is Colm Boyle; part of the management team that ended their 75-year wait for Sam Maguire.

When they last stepped onto the provincial stage, managed by former Galway selector Pete Warren, they claimed more silverware before reaching the final hurdle in Croke Park. Kerry’s Milltown-Castlemaine denied them the ultimate prize.

Keeper Dylan O’Brien has only conceded one goal in six championship outings; Cathal Higgins and Cathal Corless form the defensive spine with Brian Bermingham, Charlie Phillips and Tom Waldron outside them.

Kelly and Cian Naughton are the midfield duo; while the attack is led by Jack Melvin (2-15 in their last three games), Niall Treacy (0-13) and Ciarán Treacy (1-6). Ronan Kelly, Jack Ronayne and Shane Treacy should fill the other three slots.

Tom Ronayne will likely play wing back and Boyle, Mark Bermingham, Liam Kearns and Darragh McGale are the top options available to manager Liam Nyland on the bench.

Just two years since relegation, Caherlistrane’s swagger is back and they’ll fear no hurdles and recognise the opportunity opening up here for Sunday’s winner.

They were made work in their knockout fixtures against Glenamaddy, Oranmore-Maree and the Galway final against An Spidéal (0-15 to 0-12) with an experienced group injected with underage players used to picking up trophies.

18-year-old Timmy Madden was man of the match with seven points from play. And between underage, league and championship, he’s won six titles in the last two years along with others like Evan Cunningham, Kian O’Donoghue, Richard McGrath and Shane Greaney.

Greaney (1-29) is Caherlistrane’s main marksman followed by Ciarán Donnellan (3-9) and Madden (0-15). Adam McGreal, joint captain Alan Morris and Oisin O’Brien complete that sextet.

Stephen Lawless, the other team leader, and Kevin Nally are the midfield unit; Keeper Kieran McDonagh has scored nine points; while the defensive unit includes Sean Kyne, Shane Bohan, Cunningham, Cian Molloy, Richard McGrath and his brother Galway senior Johnny.

Steven Greaney, Cormac Hanley, O’Donoghue, Conor Faulkner and Shane O’Brien carry the threats among the substitutes.

Only 30 minutes separate the clubs, and Tuam Stadium would have been a more natural fit to host had this not being an official ‘Mayo’ home fixture. Either way, this game will be treated with as much importance as their domestic deciders.

Johnny McGrath might monitor Melvin but Caherlistrane can;ty let Kelly rule proceedings. Full backs Kyne, Bohan and Cunningham must maintain their strong record against the three Treacys inside. Greaney and Madden will keep Corless and Waldron busy.

These are two of the strongest clubs in the intermediate tier. There must be a winner and Caherlistrane have the arsenal to succeed. But it’s likely to go down to the wire.

Verdict: Caherlistrane