The long road of the new Mayo League season took its first steps last weekend with the opening rounds of action in both the Super League and the Premier Division taking place. There will only be two games in the Super League this weekend with three sides, Ballina Town, Castlebar Celtic and Manulla, in Connacht Cup action
Defending champions, Ballina Town, got off to a winning start, beating Ballyglass 3-1 on the road thanks to goals from new signing, Johnny Cocozza, Dylan McKee and Jamie Cawley, while Castlebar Celtic, who they will face this weekend in the Connacht Cup, had a 1-0 win over Claremorris, thanks to an injury time goal from Liam Flatley.
Westport United saw off top flight new boys, Snugboro United, 3-0, thanks to a first half goal from Phil Keegan and second half efforts from Jesper Frisch and Darren Browne. Manulla picked up the points in their meeting with Straide and Foxford United thanks to a 3-1 win over Straide and Foxford United in Green Road, with Shea Benson and Sean Morrisey netting for Manulla.
Ballyheane also got off to a winning start thanks to a 2-0 win over the other Super League new boys, Ballyhaunis Town, at home, with Cillian Redmond slotting home a first half penalty and Ashley Jensen grabbing their second goal to seal the win.
This weekend's action will see Snugboro United host Ballyglass in Conway Park, the visitors will be looking to pick up the points and avoid a slow start like they had last season, which saw them bobbing around the relegation zone for a long time, before a second half surge saw them move up the table. For the home side, staying in the top division will be their aim for this season and they will be looking to get points on the board early in the season, and Sunday will be a game they will be targeting to get things going.
The other game in the top flight this weekend is the meeting of Ballyheane and Straide and Foxford United in Quigley Park. Ashley Stevenson's men got their season off to a great start, seeing off Ballyhaunis last weekend, and will be looking to have six points on the board after two rounds. However, Straide and Foxford United will be a tough test for them - having lost 3-1 to Manulla last weekend, Brendan Knox's side will be keen to pick up their first points of the season.
Newly promoted sides get off to perfect Premier League start
The two sides promoted to the Premier League last year got their seasons' off to the perfect start last weekend - with both Ballina Town B and Manulla B picking up wins. Ballina Town B came back from 2-0 against Glenhest Rovers to run out 3-2 winners. Paul Mulchrone and Chris Rowland goals put Glenhest Rovers 2-0 up, before Shane Devers pulled the first goal back for Ballina Town B, before Malachy McCarron levelled it up, and Devers popped up to seal the win with a long range strike. Manulla B were 1-0 winners away to Achill Rovers, thanks to a first half goal from Roger Clarke, to get Mossy Lally's side off to a perfect start.
Iorras Aointithe, who were relegated from the top flight last season, got their drive for promotion straight back up off to a great start, with a 4-1 win over Kiltimagh/Knock United at home. The north Mayo men picked up the points thanks to two goals from Brendan Nallen, along with strikes from Kyle O'Reilly and Dylan Walker - with Simon Jordan getting the goal for the visitors.
Swinford are another side who will be looking to make it out of this division this year and they also hit four goals, picking up a big win against Conn Rangers at home. Joe Shevlin hit two goals, with Richie Dalton and Johnny McNulty grabbing the other goals for Liam Foy's side.
The other game in the division ended in a draw last Sunday, when Fahy Rovers and Bangor Hibs played out a 1-1 draw, with Donal Connolly bagging the equalising goal for Hibs, after Fahy had gone into the lead in the first half.
Mayo League Fixtures
Saturday, March 30
Castlecourt Hotel Premier League at 5pm
Conn Rangers v Ballina Town B
Bangor Hibs v Manulla B
Killeen Sports Grounds League One at 5pm
Claremorris B v Westport United B
Partry Athletic v Castlebar Celtic B
Crossmolina v Ballyglass B
Calor Gas League Two at 5pm
Kilmore v Ballyvary Blue Bombers
Moy Villa v Snugboro United B
Sunday, March 31
Connacht Cup Quarter Finals at 2pm
Ballina Town v Castlebar Celtic
Boyle Celtic v Manulla
Connacht Shield Quarter Finals at 2pm
Killala v Real Tubber
Elverys Sports Super League at 11am
Snugboro United v Ballyglass
Ballyheane v Straide and Foxford United
Castlecourt Hotel Premier League at 11am
Kiltimagh/Knock United v Achill Rovers at 2.30pm
Glenhest Rovers v Iorras Aontaithe
Fahy Rovers v Swinford
Calor Gas League Two at 11am
Ballina United v Kiltimagh/Knock United B
