Star names on the bill as Masters’ returns

The 2023/2024 Westaro Masters League season kicked off last Wednesday evening under the lights and under the rain at Solar 21 Park in Castlebar.

The format is much the same this year as in previous years but with the absence of a big-name team, as Castlebar Celtic have withdrawn from the competition.

In Division 1, Ballina Town laid down a marker with a big win against Ballyheane. They endured a rocky start, going 2-0 down thanks to an Arek Tobiaz double but were level by half time, en route to scoring 11 goals without reply. Paul Moran hit a double, the second of which caused great confusion as to whether or not it counted. Moran smashed it with such venom, it sailed right through the net. Keith Moran put Ballina ahead just before half time. The goals came as relentless as the rain with Malachy McCarron netting five in all. Paul Moran sealed his hat trick thanks to Chris Maughan, who pressed a Ballyheane defender in front of their own goal, won possession and gave it to Moran for an easy tap-in. Maughan enjoyed a fine debut, netting twice while Michael Noone was also on the scoresheet, tapping in Paul Moran’s cross, who then added a fourth for himself. Somewhere in the gluttony of goals, Arek Tobiaz sealed his hat-trick for Ballyheane but it will not be a hat trick remembered fondly, coming in this 13-3 defeat.

The surprise of the night came in the top tier as Ballyglass beat reigning league and cup champions Westport United 6-5 in a topsy-turvy battle. Jesper Frisch and a wonder strike by Patrick Morrison put Westport ahead by the break. Alan Plunkett pulled one back before David Hoban restored their two-goal advantage. Incredibly, Ballyglass went 4-3 up through Jimmy Killeen (two) and Anthony Killeen). Hoban brought United back level before Jimmy Killeen scored his second free and set up former Mayo GAA star Colm Boyle to ensure a mighty win for the red and white, with Frisch’s second little more than a consolation.

Ballyvary Blue Bombers also produced a comeback from two-nil down to beat Iorras Aontaithe 4-3. A brace by Mark Gilbert put Iorras in front but Ballyvary were level by the interval through Mark Kilgallon and a lovely, curled effort into the bottom corner Colm Kelly. Simon Cloherty put Ballyvary ahead but when it appeared Brendan Nallen’s equaliser would see a share of the spoils, Kilgallon struck again for to secure the three points for Ballyvary.

First on the agenda in Division 2 was the meeting of Kiltimagh/Knock United and Fahy Rovers. K/K raced into the lead through Conor Heneghan but were knocked flat on their feet following this good start after three quickfire Fahy goals. Tom Gill, Eric Carney and Kevin Concannon were the providers. K/K hit back through Liam Lydon but Fahy extended their tally to five before half time; the influential Carney got on the end of Darren Creaby’s cross to tap in at the far post and moments later, the same attacking move worked once more for Fahy. This time, Tom Keane fed Creaby who leaned back and smashed in a volley first time. James Carty got one back before half time for K/K. Alan Cannon scored what proved to be the decisive goal for Fahy as K/K attempted to mount a comeback. Lydon and Heneghan scored to make it 6-5 in favour of Fahy and that is how it remained at full time.

There was another seven-goal thriller as Conn Rangers held off a late fightback to beat Ballyhaunis Town 4-3. It was a tale of the two number tens in the first half as a brace by Conn’s Shane Bourke was cancelled out by Keith Robinson before the interval. Bourke completed his hat-trick early in the second half and Paul Coleman looked to secure the three points. Peter Walshe’s goal ensured a nervy ending but Conn held on.

The only game on Thursday evening was an epic 14-goal thriller between Manulla A and Killala. Manulla trailed 6-4 in the final ten minutes but a quick burst of goals put them back in front. With seconds to spare, Vincent Kearney hit a dramatic leveller for the north Mayo outfit. It was Kearney’s fourth of the evening, while Johnny McNulty also netted a hat trick. Shane Durkan netted four for Manulla with Derek McDonnell hitting a brace and Declan Tonra helping himself to one as well.

In Division 3, Manulla B fell just short against Ballyglass B and led at the break, thanks in large part to the goalkeeping heroics of Lorcan Cawe. Good counter-attacking play saw the Blues lead 1-0 at the break with Darragh Lyons hitting the back of the net. The dam finally broke for Cawe and company as Eoghan Vahey equalized and there was no stopping the follow-up from Simon Killeen, who smashed in a rocket just seconds after emerging from the bench. Diarmaid Costello leveled matters, picking his spot superbly before two Ballyglass goals claimed the tie, scored by John Boyle and Graham Cooke. Walter Hennelly got one back for Manulla B but they fell to a 4-3 defeat to the Candystripes.

Partry Athletic secured a 5-3 win over Snugboro United inspired by former League of Ireland player and current Sligo Rovers boss John Russell. Russell scored twice, one to open the scoring in the first half. Kevin Dolan and John Byrne made it three before Johnny Duffy scored the most audacious goal of the week, chipping the keeper from an extremely narrow angle. Russell and Byrne extended the lead to 5-1 in the second half and despite Snugboro’s efforts, they were unable to claw back. Goals from Colin Corrigan and Duffy, a penalty, ended things at 5-3.

This division also saw both Bangor Hibs and Castlebar Town make their debuts in the Masters and it was one to remember for the Barony as they cruised to a 8-2 win over the county town. The star of the show was another former Mayo footballer Mikie Sweeney as he helped himself to a double hat trick. Anthony Coyle and Shane Lindsay scored the other goals for Bangor while Zoltan Gala and Shane Coogan netted for Town.

Goal of the week: Johnny Duffy (Snugboro United): Duffy helped himself to a cheeky goal, chipping the Partry keeper at an extremely tight angle.

Goalkeeper of the week: Lorcan Cawe (Manulla B): Ballyglass B won in the end but without Cawe’s shot stopping ability, their four goal tally could easily have been doubled.

Player of the week: Mikie Sweeney (Bangor Hibs): The former Mayo GAA player was irrepressible for the Barony outfit, scoring a hat trick against Castlebar Town.