Sweeney strikes late as Hibs make their move

The title races across all divisions remain up in the air after a night of surprises and late dramatics in the Westaro Masters League last Wednesday.

The first shock was in Division 3 when Castlebar Town picked up their first win of the season after beating in-form Ballyglass ‘B’ 4-2. Zoltan Gal, Brian Hanrahan, David Bristow and James O’Shea were the goal scorers on a big night for Kenny Cook’s side. Graham Cooke and Alan Larkin responded in vain for Ballyglass ‘B’. However, the Swans still find themselves only three points off the top as Bangor Hibs recorded a significant 3-2 win over Partry Athletic to tighten things up at the top.

After a goalless first-half, Patrick Gaughan put Bangor ahead. Sean Bourke equalised for Partry before a terrific strike by Shane Lindsay edged Bangor ahead. It looked like a penalty by Mark Gibbons would ensure a share of the spoils but Mikie Sweeney netted a late winner for Hibs who go level on points with Partry.

The other game in Division 3 saw ten goals shared by Manulla ‘B’ and Snugboro United in a thrilling draw. Michael Cuffe and Jason Flynn netted a brace apiece for Manulla, with the other scored by Keith Heneghan. Jonathan Duffy (2), Abdalrahman Dosah, David Roughneen and Mark Lawless got their names on the scoresheet for Snugboro as both sides remain level on points.

In Division 2, Manulla produced the performance of the night as they fired eight past Ballyhaunis Town. Shane Durkan scored a brilliant hat-trick while James Cunningham, Kevin Mannion, Declan Tonra, Damien Walsh and Eoin Carney also added their names to the scoresheet as the boys in blue moved to within a point of league leaders Conn Rangers, although having played a game more.

Killala will be kicking themselves after losing a 5-1 lead to Fahy Rovers and having to be content with a draw. Jonathan McNulty got a first-half hat-trick for Killala, with their other goals coming through Kevin Rooney and John Clarke. Fahy, whose sole effort in the first-half was got by Michael Mulchrone, piled on the pressure in the second-half and two goals each by Jonathan Beckett and Darren Creaby ensured Fahy remain in the hunt for the title.

The Thursday night game in Division 2 between Conn Rangers and S&F United was postponed due to weather and played last Saturday evening instead. United took the lead through a goal by Cormac Healy but Rangers stormed back to take all three points – and go back four points clear at the top – courtesy of a 4-1 win.

Westport United kept their title defence alive in Division 1 with a 6-3 win over Ballyvary Blue Bombers last Wednesday. Ciaran Cuddy, Kevin Joyce and Danny Scahill put United in front but Ballyvary brought it back to a goal through strikes by Brian Morley and Simon Cloherty. James Gill and Mark Joyce (2) made sure of a vital three points for the Covies, with Ronan Flynn netting a late consolation for the Bombers.

Ballina Town and Ballyglass played out a cracking 2-2 draw in a game that could have major implications on the destination of the title come the end of the season. Paul Moran got the opener for the Town but Dermot Costello and Colm Boyle looked to have bagged a critical three points. But minutes after Boyle’s strike, Moran netted a second and both sides missed opportunities to get the winner late on.

That meant Iorras Aontaithe went top of Division 1 after seeing off Ballyheane 7-4. Ashley Stevenson was in inspired form for the ‘Heane and scored all four of his side’s goals, his third and fourth strikes in particular worthy of being on a highlights reel. The Barony men, however, had their own ‘four-man’ as Mark Gilbert also bagged four while Anthony Mills, Kieran Geraghty and Liam Donoghue added further goals to send Iorras to the summit.