Ballina Town stretched their lead at the top of the Elverys Sports Super League table after another comfortable 3-0 win over Ballyheane on Sunday morning. Benny Lavelle scored his 10th league goal of the season to give Mick Duffy’s side the lead and Fabinho Macario made it 2-0 before the break. Dylan McKee added a further goal in the second half to move them three points clear of second place Straide & Foxford United who they meet next in the next round of the league.
Straide & Foxford United put last weekend’s big defeat at the hands of Castlebar Celtic behind them as they put in a very impressive performance to move ahead of Celtic after a 2-0 win over the same opponents in another early kick-off on Sunday. John Durkan was the man that got the goals as he netted one in either half, with the second coming late on from the penalty spot.
Ballyglass moved away from the relegation zone with an impressive 4-1 win away to fellow strugglers Kiltimagh/Knock United. The day started badly for Tom Connolly’s side as Lionel Jordan headed home a corner to give Kiltimagh/Knock the lead after three minutes. Conor Heneghan had Ballyglass level within minutes as he capitalised on an error by Joey Loughran. Ballyglass got the crucial third goal somewhat against the run of play thanks to a superb strike from Conor Moloney. Heneghan then got his second of the day before PJ Gibbons made it 4-1 with a rare strike late on.
Westport United and Manulla met for the second time in a week and once again it was the home side that came out on top with another 1-0 win. The game was settled by an earlier goal as Brandon Scahill headed home a corner after just 12 minutes.
Claremorris and Iorras Aontaithe also came up against each other last Sunday and the result was the same as their cup clash a week previous as Claremorris came away with a 4-1 win. Claremorris went in ahead at the break thanks to a penalty from Derek Glynn but Iorras did level matters after only four minutes of the second half as Jason Boylan got on the scoresheet. Alan Fenwick then gave Claremorris the lead with 20 minutes remaining before Harvey O’Brien and Andrew Peters added the final two goals of the game.
Saturday evening sees just one Super League game take place as defending champions Westport United head to Carne Nash to take on bottom side Iorras Aontaithe. With Thierry Baba now in the ranks Westport have added more youth to their team this season with an eye on the future. Recent poor league results have cast doubt over the four in a row chasers' credentials for this season, but back to back wins over Manulla shows there is life in them yet. With the likes of David Cameron, David Hoban, and Joe Lawless still in the side the Covies will not see the six point gap to Ballina Town at the top of the table as insurmountable.
There are two cup games down for decision on Saturday also. Castlebar Celtic make the trip to Belleek to face Ballina Town in the second round of the Westaro Cup. Both sides have their sights on the Super League title this season but an extended cup run could be the boost needed heading into the second-half of the season. Expect both Mick Duffy and Michael McNicholas to put out relatively strong teams while also getting a look at some fringe talent at their disposal.
In the Tuohy Cup Swinford make the short trip to their east Mayo neighbours Ballyhaunis looking to continue their good start to the season.
