Castlebar Celtic took another step towards claiming the Super League title last weekend with an 8-0 win over Straide and Foxford United on Saturday evening and tomorrow night they could find themselves six points clear of their nearest rivals and still having a game in hand, if they see off Ballyhaunis Town, as expected, when the meet in Celtic Park.
The Hoops saw Jordan Loftus hit a hat-trick with Liam Flatley and Jason Hunt both bagging a brace and Johnny Cocozza grabbing the eighth in their 12th league win of the season. Tomorrow evening they will face a Ballyhaunis Town side who have just moved out of the relegation zone following a hard fought 2-2 draw at home against Ballyglass. The Station Rise outfit came back from 2-0 down in that game with 40 minutes left - Gary Higgins was the hero for Tommy Page's men, scoring an equalizer two minutes into injury time. The visitors had gone 2-0 in front thanks to Matt Hamilton and Evan Connolly - Kris DaSilva pulled one back with 52 minutes gone - but the real drama was still about to happen.
The nearest challengers to Celtic in the race for the title will both face off on Sunday in the Westaro Cup Final in Solar 21 Park in Milebush at 3pm. Westport United are just three points behind Celtic in the table at the minute, but they have played one game more. The United Park kept up the pressure on Celtic with a 1-0 win over Claremorris at home last Sunday - thanks to a Peter Corcoran goal.
On Sunday, United will face Ballina Town in the final of the Westaro Cup and the north Mayo men will head into the game off the back of a week's break following the postponement of their game against Ballyheane last weekend. Their last league outing was a 3-0 win over Manulla a fortnight ago - which was their tenth league win of the season. Both sides have met just once so far this season and in that game the defending league champions ran out 2-0 winners with Brendan Lavelle and Jamie Cawley getting the goals in that meeting at the end of May.
There is just one other game involving top flight sides over the weekend when Manulla host Ballyheane in Carramore. While Ballyheane had last weekend off, Manulla were put to the pin of their collars by relegation-threatened Snugboro United - only seeing off their guests by the odd goal in seven.
Lorcan Conroy and Gary McHale had Manulla 2-0 up inside the opening few minutes, Norbert Karol pulled one back for Snugboro United not long after Manulla's second goal and the same player had the game level at 2-2 before the break. Manulla hit the next two goals with Niall Brennan and Conroy grabbing the goals, before Jonathon Walsh pulled one back for Snugboro United from the spot - but they were unable to find the fourth goal they were chasing.
Fahy and Glenhest battle it out for Tuohy Cup
The action in the Solar 21 Park on Sunday will get going with the meeting of Fahy Rovers and Glenhest Rovers in the Tuohy Cup Final at 12pm. In the league this season Glenhest are well out in front of their opponents in the Premier Division. Rovers currently sit in second place in the table and are involved in a fierce battle for promotion to the top flight for next season. When the teams met earlier this season in the league, Glenhest ran out 3-0 winners with Declan McManamon, Sean Mulchrone and Pat Mulchrone getting the goals.
En-route to Sunday's final, Fahy beat Swinford on penalties, then Achill Rovers after another game that went to extra time and in the semi-final they disposed of Conn Rangers 3-1 inside 90 minutes. Glenhest's path to the final saw them beat Bangor Hibs 4-0, then Ballina Town B 4-3 and Iorras Aointithe 5-3 in the semi-final.
Mayo League Fixtures
Saturday, July 27
Elverys Sports Super League at 7pm
Castlebar Celtic v Ballyhaunis Town
Castlecourt Hotel Premier League at 7pm
Manulla B v Iorras Aointaithe
Sunday, July 28
Tuohy Cup Final at 12pm
Fahy Rovers v Glenhest Rovers
Westaro Cup Final at 3pm
Ballina Town v Westport United
Elverys Sports Super League at 11am
Manulla v Ballyheane
Thursday, August 1
Elverys Sports Super League at 7pm
Westport United v Manulla
Castlebar Celtic v Ballyheane
