Premier League as tough to predict as ever
CastleCourt Hotel Premier League players and managers. Pictures: Ryan Gallagher
As well as the Elverys Sports Super League, the CastleCourt Hotel Premier League also return this weekend and it is an intriguing league as always.
What makes it so unique this season is that there four clubs who have ‘B’ teams in the division: Westport United, Castlebar Celtic, Ballyheane and Kiltimagh Knock United. It means two out the remaining five clubs in the division – Glenhest Rovers, Kilmore, Straide & Foxford United, Ballyhaunis Town and Ballyglass - will be promoted as B teams cannot play in the Super League.
Glenhest have battled for survival in recent years in the Super League but eventually succumbed to relegation at the end of last year. Similar to Claremorris, they will be hoping to bounce back up as well as try to play a bit more expansively.
“The Super League probably wasn’t the most enjoyable for us in terms of going out there, trying to be as defensive as possible and not conceding goals, trying to nick a point here and there,” said Chris Rowland. “We’re looking forward to it and trying to play a bit more football, being a bit more expansive and ultimately to go on and try and win it. We’re raring to go.
“That’s the aim, to get straight back up. I’ve often seen teams get relegated from the Super League and go straight through the other trap door and get relegated to League One. So it is important to make sure we consolidate.”
Glenhest battled to the bitter end but it was nothing short of a nightmare for S&F, whose relegation was confirmed early on after winning only one game all season. They are now under new management in Alan Campbell, who has enjoyed stints at Ballyvary Blue Bombers and League of Ireland club Longford Town, and he has been impressed with what he has seen so far.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge. I saw them against Ballinagare Manor (in the Connacht Shield) and the scoreline didn’t reflect the game.
“If we can keep the panel together going forward, we’ll be up there challenging at the top.”
It was a mixed season for Ballyglass. While they missed out on promotion, they ended a ten-year wait for silverware when they defeated Iorras Aontaithe to win the Calor Gas Premier Cup.
“It’s great to finish on a high like that,” said Oisin Moran. “Coming into the new season, it will bring a lot of confidence into the team to push us forward.
“We started last season well but towards the end. A lot of lads dropped out when the Gaelic started. We struggled for numbers last year but we’ve a load of young lads coming up now.”
While B teams cannot be promoted, they will certainly cause havoc in the division. Ballina Town B won the Premier League title in 2019 and so it is not out of the question that another B side can do the same.
Castlebar Celtic ‘B’, in particular, look well placed to make an impact after winning the League One title last year, as well as going unbeaten. A lot will be known when they face a tough test away to Glenhest this Sunday but it is a challenge that Ronan McTigue and Daire Duffy are relishing.
“It was unreal how the lads bought into everything we threw at them. We just took one game at a time,” said McTigue.
“We didn’t stop. We had a squad of 32 and we used every last one of them. Every lad that stepped in was absolutely unbelievable.” While their Connacht Cup run was ended by Colga last weekend, Celtic ‘B’ enjoyed some fine wins on their journey including defeating Iorras Aontaithe on penalties.
“Going down there the last day, it was a tough day but it was brilliant from the lads. They’ve come so far,” said Duffy.
“We feel the squad is stronger. We’ve brought in some new lads and there’s two for every position.” Joining Celtic ‘B’ is Ballyheane ‘B’, who have also enjoyed two consecutive promotions. They also reached the Tonra Cup last year but were beaten by an in-form Conn Rangers ‘B’ on the day.
“We continued on the success of previous years. It’s good and it’s all youth. It’s integrated with the ‘A’ team in a seamless transition,” said Walter Tuffy. “I’d be confident we’d be able to hold our own.”
