A bumper crowd is expected at the Mayo GAA Comórtas finals this coming weekend after old rivals and close neighbours Belmullet and Kiltane were drawn to meet in the senior semi final on Saturday March 9th. Performing the launch and draw, former Mayo GAA star Willie Joe Padden said, he was hoping to keep the old enemies apart until the final.
“To win the Mayo Comórtas is a great honour for any club player and some of my best GAA memories come from playing with Belmullet in the Comórtas finals,” he said. Padden recalled some great memories from his former days at the launch including playing with the great Paidi O’Se and Martin McHugh from Donegal. Padden won two national Comórtas medals in 1984 and 1985 with Belmullet after losing the two previous finals.
Chairperson of the Mayo Comórtas Peile competition Piaras Ó Raghallaigh thanked the Mayo GAA County board and the host club Belmullet for allowing the finals to be run over a dedicated weekend each year. “The Mayo Comórtas finals are so keenly contested now and clubs realise that it is a ticket to play on the national stage with some of the best intercounty footballers in Ireland. It is also a great platform for young players to perform and show their talents with TG4 broadcasting the games live each year,” O’Raghallaigh stated.
Cathaoirleach of CLG Bhéal an Mhuirthead Sean Ó Gallchóir said that the Belmullet GAA club were delighted to be hosting the Mayo Comórtas finals this year. “We hope to make it a great cultural weekend for all the Mayo Gaeltacht teams and those visiting the Erris region that weekend. Erris has a lot to offer and we certainly will be putting the best foot forward on and off the pitch,” he said.
Highlights from the launch and draw can be viewed on www.irishtv.ie and on SKY TV channel 191, Freesat 400 this coming Thursday at 9.00pm
Comórtas Draw 2013
Junior Semi Finals, March 9th
11.00am Belmullet vs. Kiltane
12.30pm Ballycastle vs. Kilcommon
Senior Semi Final
2,00pm Kiltane vs. Belmullet
3.30pm Tuarmakeady vs. Achill
Comórtas Finals, Sunday March 10th
2.00pm Junior Final
3.30pm Senior Final