Roundup of last weekend's action in the Mayo Football League
Iorras Aontaithe showed no mercy to Crossmolina 'B' last weekend, putting 12 past their opponents. It moved them back up to second in League One, two points behind Killala, with Fahy Rovers only a point behind in third. Picture: Iorras Aontaithe FC
Castlebar Celtic remain in control at the top of the Super League with a win over Westport United while Evan Rowley stole the headlines in League One with six goals as a second half substitute for Swinford.
Ballina Town made it four wins in a row in the top division with a 5-1 win over Crossmolina in Kilmurry on Saturday evening. Conor Gorman and Jamie Cawley gave them a two goal lead at the break before Cawley made it three with his second of the game early in the second half. Raff Cretaro added a fourth on the hour mark before Gorman got his second of the day with Crossmolina getting a consolation goal through a Matthew Williams penalty.
Ballyheane came from a goal down to beat Kiltimagh/Knock United 4-1 at Pat Quigley Park with all four of their goals coming in the final fifteen minutes. Kiltimagh/Knock remain in relegation trouble after this defeat and will need to improve in their final seven league games if they are to remain in the Super League next season. Darryl McNamara had given James Costello’s side the lead midway through the first half but they couldn’t hold out in the second half as Ballyheane finally broke down the away side’s defence. Dan Purcell got their first on 75 minutes before Ben Edeh became the star of the show by scoring a hat-trick in the next 13 minutes to move his side into fourth place.
Celtic didn’t let the celebrations from last weekend’s Connacht Cup victory get in the way of another big game in the Super League as they beat their rivals 3-0 at United Park despite been down to ten men for the final quarter of the game.
After an even first half it was Celtic who took the lead on fifty three minutes as Dylan Edwards left wing free-kick evaded everyone and found the top right hand corner of Gary Cunningham’s net. Celtic were soon further ahead as Jason Hunt and Jordan Loftus combined with Loftus heading in Hunt’s right wing cross.
The away side were then dealt a blow when Cathal Coyne received a straight red card a few minutes later but it didn’t matter as Neil Douglas added a third to secure the points on 66 minutes.
In the CastleCourt Hotel Premier Division, Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ dealt Ballyhaunis Town’s promotion hopes a huge blow with a 4-2 win over the East Mayo side at Celtic Park on Saturday evening as they joined them on 16 points on the league table.
Celtic took the lead after just a minute when Adam Diamond-Keane got their first of the day. Jason Jennings levelled matters for Ballyhaunis midway through the half but their joy was short-lived as Simon Jordan got his first of the day just two minutes later.
An own goal from Diarmuid Ahern got Ballyhaunis back into the game for a second time but Jordan got his second of the day almost immediately and then he completed his hat-trick on 83 minutes to finally kill off any chance of a comeback from Karl Lyons side.
Straide & Foxford United are still looking for their first points of the season after a 3-0 defeat to Westport United ‘B’ at Green Road on Saturday evening. A brace from Simeon Popov and one James McNamara moved the Covies moved into second place overnight.
Ballyglass failed to take advantage and move back above Ballyhaunis Town as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Ballyheane ‘B’ on Sunday morning. Shane Thomas had given Ballyheane a half time lead with a goal five minutes before the break and even though Liam Glynn equalised for Ballyglass on seventy four minutes, it was Ballyheane who took all three points as Rhys Jones hit the winner with seven minutes remaining.
Glenhest Rovers are now odds on for the CastleCourt Premier Division title as they made it ten wins from ten with a 6-1 win away to Kiltimagh/Knock United ‘B’. Pat Mulchrone scored a hat-trick while the other goals came from Shane Finnerty, Levi Barrett and Conor McCarthy, the latter now having scored in all of their last twelve games.
In Killeen Sports Ground League One, Fahy Rovers joined Killala at the top of League One for a few hours at least with a 7-1 win over Claremorris ‘B’ on Saturday evening, Eoghan Wright scoring a first half hat-trick while at the other end of the table Conn Rangers ‘B’ moved six points clear of relegation with a 5-2 win over Castlebar Town in Moneen.
Evan Rowley introduced himself to Mayo League football with a two goal debut off the bench against Conn ‘B’ a few weeks ago but his second appearance is one to be remembered as he came off the bench early in the second half to score all six goals as Swinford beat Ballyvary Blue Bombers 6-2 in James McEvaddy Park.
Killala remain at the top of League One after a 6-2 win over Partry Athletic on Sunday afternoon as they made it eight league wins in a row. It promises to be a great run in for the second half of the season as Iorras Aontaithe moved back above Fahy Rovers into second place after hitting 12 past Crossmolina ‘B’.
In McDonnell Construction League Two, unbeaten Snugboro United moved kept their title hopes on track as a Dylan Rice goal was enough to move them above Ballinrobe Town ‘B’ and level with Ballina Town ‘B’ at the top of League Two. Bangor Hibs responded to Snugboro’s win on Saturday evening as they beat Westport United ‘C’ 3-2 to move Hibs just a point behind Snugboro in second place in the table.
Ballina Town ‘B’ are still unbeaten in League Two as they made it eight wins from nine with a 5-0 win over Conn Rangers ‘C’ on Sunday morning, while in the final League Two fixture of the day Fahy Rovers ‘B’ got their fourth win of the season as they recorded a 5-2 win over Ballyvary Blue Bombers ‘B’, with Liam Troy scoring four goals for John Creaby’s side.
