Mayo Leagues beginning to take shape at halfway mark
Evan Connolly, Ryan Connolly and Darren Murray all scored for Ballyglass in their 4-1 win over Crossmolina on Sunday. Picture: Tom Quinn
Each of the Mayo Football Leagues are beginning to take shape as the season has reached its halfway point.
Westport United remain top after a slender win over Ballinrobe Town and Conn Rangers returned to winning way with a commanding win over Manulla. The other two games in the league saw Ballyheane and Kiltimagh Knock United’s misfortunes continue after both were beaten last Sunday.
Ballyheane suffered their fifth league defeat of the season as they lost 2-0 at home to inform Glenhest Rovers. The visitors were awarded a penalty after Conor McCarthy was fouled in the box. Levi Barrett’s penalty was saved, but he finished the rebound to give them the lead.
Ballyheane also had a penalty saved in the second half, with Sean Rabbette denied from the spot by Eoghan McManamon. Glenhest made sure of the three points when McCarthy and Eoghan Wright combined to set up Shane Finnerty, who calmly slotted home for a sixth league win in eight games.
Ballina Town had matters more straight forward, as they put seven past Kiltimagh Knock United in CMS Park. The home side, who were coming into this game off the back of a record 17-0 defeat to Westport United, initially too the lead thanks to Liam McCormack. But once Ballina equalised through, it was academic thanks to a brace from Dos Santos Souza Miereles and one each from Ryan Moran, Conro Gorman and Goodhope Mutendebvure, with Lavelle rounding off the win.
In the CastleCourt Hotel Premier Division, Westport United ‘B’ remain top of the league after a 7-1 thumping of Iorras Aontaithe, with two goals each from Oisin Ryall, Dan O’Malley and one from Darragh Reynolds, Ted Horan and Simeon Popov. As United ‘B’ cannot get promoted, Ballyglass and Claremorris are in pole position to be promoted after both enjoyed good wins over Crossmolina and Kilmore respectively.
Darren Reilly, Ryan and Evan Connolly, and Oisin Moran all netted as Ballyglass defeated Crossmolina 4-1, while Claremorris rounded off a good week with a 2-0 win over Kilmore with goals from Simob Butler and Mark Maloney, the latter netting a hat trick as Claremorris sealed a place in the Tuohy Cup final after a great win over Westport United ‘B’.
At the other end of the table, nothing could separate Straide & Foxford United, who shared six goals in a thrilling draw.
Killen Sports Ground League One has been thrown into turmoil following the shock withdrawal of Kiltimagh Knock United ‘B’. Matters have changed little at the top however as Swinford put seven past Ballyvary Blue Bombers to keep the pressure on league leaders Ballina Town ‘B’. Close behind is Snugboro United, but their promotion hopes were dealt a blow when they lost 2-1 to Fahy Rovers. The other end has seen the relegation scrap tighten up, with Partry Athletic, Bangor Hibs, Claremorris ‘B’ and Ballyvary separated by four points. Partry beat Conn ‘B’ 4-2 while Hibs received a walkover against Claremorris ‘B’.
Matters are more straightforward in McDonnell Construction League Two. Achill Rovers took another leap towards promotion and the title after a 3-1 win away to Ballinrobe Town ‘B’. Elsewhere, Castlebar Town defeated Fay Rovers ‘B’ 4-0, Manulla ‘B’ returned to winning ways after they beat Crossmolina ‘B’ 4-2 while Glenhest Rovers ‘B’, who secured a place in the McDonnell Cup final last Thursday, picked up their first league win of the season after stunning Westport United ‘C’ 3-2.
