Five in a dogfight for title honours in Masters’ top flight

At the halfway stage of the Westaro Masters League, each of the title races look set to go to the wire following a night of drama in Milebush.

In the early kick-off in Division One between Ballyglass and Westport United last Wednesday, a dull first-half that saw the Swans lead by an Alan Plunkett goal at the break was followed by a frantic second-half. Brian Staunton doubled the lead for Ballyglass but Westport snatched control of the scoreline. James Gill smashed in a free-kick, Jesper Frisch scored a peach with the outside of his right boot and Dave Hoban applied a poacher’s finish to a goalmouth scramble in Ballyglass territory. Colm Boyle equalised before Mark Joyce scored what looked like a winner. JP Reilly had other ideas, firing home the leveller with two minutes left on the clock to leave things all square at 4-4.

Ballyheane got hit with an unlucky number against Ballina Town, shipping a baker’s dozen of goals in a 13-3 defeat to the North Mayo men. Paul Moran netted a double hat-trick while there were also hat-tricks for Malachy McCarron and John Durkan. Keith Moran scored the remaining goal for Ballina Town while Arek Tobiaz, two goals, and Ashley Stevenson scored for Ballyheane, who continue to struggle to find their footing in this division.

Following the Ballyglass stalemate, Ballyvary Blue Bombers had the chance to go top of Division One but were thwarted by a late brace by Eamon Carey as Iorras Aontaithe defeated the Bombers 8-6 in a thriller to go level at the top with Ballyglass.

Ballyvary surged ahead with Christopher Kerins firing four but Iorras found themselves level early in the second-half through Henry Gaughan and a Liam Donoghue hat-trick. Braces by Ballyvary’s Simon Cloherty and Mark Gilbert looked like both sides would have to settle for a draw but Carey’s double meant it is all to play for in Division One, with only three points separating Ballyglass, Iorras, Ballina, Ballyvary and Westport.

In Division Two, Fahy Rovers failed to keep up the momentum from their big win over table toppers Conn Rangers, slipping to a 6-4 defeat to Kiltimagh/Knock United in a fiery affair. Damien Gallagher and Gavin Groarke put United 2-0 in front before a John Beckett double made it level. Ronan Malee restored Kiltimagh/Knock’s advantage to make it 3-2 at the break. Groarke would make it a hat-trick and Malee would add his second while Gerard Moore and Tom Keane were Fahy’s second-half goal scorers.

Two late goals rescued the points for Manulla in their 3-3 draw with Killala. Aidan Ferguson, Mark McDonnell and Mark Moyles had Killala well in front before Damien Walsh’s goal made it 3-1 at the break. Manulla rallied in the second-half and Shane Durkan’s brace in the closing stages saw them claw back level to snatch the points from Killala.

The defeat for Fahy meant Conn Rangers are back at the summit of Division Two, with three goals in each half on their way for a 6-1 win over Ballyhaunis Town. Shane Bourke netted a hattrick with Barry Nestor, Aidan Gallagher and Brendan McShane, with a real thunderbolt, also among the goals. Gerard Slattery got the sole strike for Ballyhaunis, which was a brilliant effort itself from distance.

In Division Three, Partry Athletic remain three clear after beating Snugboro United 7-3. Ronan Glynn put the ‘Boro ahead early on but Partry eventually broke the Blue and Yellow’s resistance through goals by Kevin Dolan and John Russell before the break. Partry went through the gears as Russell completed his hat-trick followed by another goal for Dolan as well as a brace by Mark Gibbons to set themselves up well for their ‘six-pointer’ with Bangor Hibs next week. Snugboro added two late on through Glynn and Mark McGreal.

Ballyglass ‘B’ and Bangor Hibs remain behind them after both won their respective games against Manulla ‘B’ and Castlebar Town. A second-half flurry from Ballyglass saw them defeat their local rivals 9-5. Simon Killeen bagged a hat-trick, there were two goals apiece for James McGing and Vincent Flannery, while Alan Larkin and Ciaran Heffron were also on the scoresheet. Braces by Keith Bourke and Colin Walsh, and a goal by Jason Flynn came by way of response from Manulla.

Bangor Hibs had things more straightforward, as they fired nine past Castlebar Town without reply though a third consecutive four-goal haul for Mikie Sweeney, a brace for Thomas Murphy and one each for Kieran Gallagher, Patrick Gaughan and Sean Dunne.

Goal of the Week – Mark Joyce (Westport United):

A superb effort from long range that looked to be the winner before a Ballyglass equaliser. Honourable mentions to Brendan McShane (Conn Rangers) and Gerard Slattery (Ballyhaunis Town).

Goalkeeper of the Week – Martin Gardiner (Conn Rangers):

Any chance of Ballyhaunis Town making inroads were thwarted by Gardiner, with some vital saves in the first-half.

Player of the Week – Paul Moran (Ballina Town):

The towering forward was in no mood to show mercy to Ballyheane, scoring a double hat-trick.