Northern rising as Town score a perfect 10
Ballina Town struck ten goals past Ballyglass in Division 1 of the Westaro Masters League on Wednesday night last. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
The final round of Westaro Masters League action before the Christmas break saw North Mayo clubs go top of Divisions 1 and 2 respectively while Ballyglass ‘B’ and Partry Athletic continue their 100 per cent starts in Division 3.
Ballina Town went top of Division 1 after a 10-3 win over Ballyglass. The North Mayo men will be grateful to the performance of Kieran O’Malley in goal as he pulled off a string of fine saves in the first-half to keep Ballyglass at bay. Two goals each from Paul Moran and Raff Cretaro along with strikes by Chris Maughan and Eoin McCormack put the Belleek side 6-2 ahead at the break, with Jimmy Killeen and Alan Plunkett responding for Ballyglass. It proved an insurmountable hill to overcome, and Moran and Cretaro completed their hat-tricks in the second-half along with a brace by Malachy McCarron. Plunkett netted a consolation late on.
Westport United put last week’s defeat behind them to beat Ballyvary Blue Bombers 7-1. In a tame first-half, Shane Nallen edged Westport ahead just before the interval but two quick goals by Padraig Folan after the restart made sure of the win. Danny Scahill, two, Nallen and Kevin Joyce rounded off an electric second-half performance for the Coveys while Mark Kilgallon converted Ballyvary’s sole effort in the final moments.
Ballyheane and Iorras Aontaithe both recovered from defeat last week and played out a 4-4 draw, all goals coming in the first-half. Arek Tobiaz came to the fore for ‘Heane and scored all of their goals, the second of which came from the penalty spot. Michael Meenaghan and Ivan Barrett both netted a brace for Erris. Both sides had spells of dominance in the second-half but neither could get the penny to drop to secure a winner.
In Division 2, Manulla needed a solid defensive showing in the closing stages to hold on for a 3-2 win over Fahy Rovers. Stephen Fadden opened the scoring with the only goal of the first-half before Roger Clarke doubled the lead shortly into the second-half. Tom Gill rose highest to head home Kevin Concannon’s corner before Darren Creaby levelled matters for Fahy. Eoin Carney’s thunderbolt proved to be the winner, as he smashed in a shot from distance.
Conn Rangers claimed the bragging rights as they came from behind to beat S&F United 3-2. Cormac Healy put S&F in front before Paul Coleman played in Shane Bourke to equalise for Conn, with his shot going in off the underside of the crossbar. Neil Mayock restored S&F lead but Conn finished the stronger as goals from Aidan Gallagher and Kieran Herron saw Rangers go top of the table.
The other game in Division 2 was also a derby but a one-sided one as Kiltimagh/Knock United comfortably beat East Mayo rivals Ballyhaunis Town 7-1. Paul McNicholas, two, Conor Heneghan, Ronan Malee, Colm Garvey, Damien Gallagher and Liam Lydon found the net for KKU, while Chris McTighe scored the only goal for Ballyhaunis Town.
Putting on a show of free-flowing football in Division 3, Partry Athletic made it two wins from two with a 7-4 victory over Bangor Hibs. Two of the standout players from Round 1, John Russell and Mikie Sweeney, came head-to-head and it was the Sligo Rovers boss who came out on top. He netted a hat-trick and so too did Kevin Dolan. Mark Gibbons scored the other Partry goal. Brian McHale, Sweeney, Patrick Gaughan and Shane Lindsay scored for Hibs in this losing effort.
Ballyglass B’s 5-1 win over Castlebar Town would not have been so straightforward if it weren’t for the solid goalkeeping of Alan Jennings. At the other end of the pitch, Michael Conroy and Alan Larkin both netted braces with John Boyle also on the scoresheet for the Candystripes. Jennings’ clean sheet was ultimately muddied by Nikolaj Kosmakov’s fine finish late in the second-half.
The Thursday night game was a thrilling affair as Manulla ‘B’ got their first win with a 6-4 victory over Snugboro United. Two goals from Michael Cuffe and one from Keith Bourke left the bare minimum between the two sides at half-time, Alan Lyons and Padraic Conway scoring Snugboro’s first goals of this Masters campaign. Snugboro continued to battle gamely but were never able to draw level as a brace from Walter Hennelly and another from Bourke secured the three points, Michael McDonnell and Jonathan Burke also finding the net for the ‘Boro.
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Central to all things good for Partry in a big win. Netted a hat-trick to boot. Honourable mentions to Ballina Town duo Raff Cretaro and Paul Moran who both scored hat-tricks also as well as a four-goal haul by Ballyheane’s Arek Tobiaz.
A display of acrobatic brilliance from the Ballyglass ‘B’ man helped them to an easy victory. Kieran O’Malley was also in inspired form for Ballina Town as kept Ballyglass out with three excellent saves.
A thunderbolt from distance. Made all the sweeter by the fact that it was the winner.
