There was no action in the top flight of the Mayo League last weekend - but there were games for both Ballina Town and Westport United in the Connacht FA Champions Cup at the quarter-final stage. Ballina Town saw off Athenry FC 6-1 and Westport United were 3-1 winners away to Mervue United, setting up the semi-final this weekend away to Carbury FC on Sunday at 2pm.
In the Super League this weekend there are just two games down for decision and both could have a major impact on the battle to avoid the drop to the Premier League for next season. Both games will kick off at 11am, with Manulla hosting Ballyhaunis Town and Ballyheane visiting Snugboro United. At the moment Snugboro United are bottom of the table with six points, with both Straide and Foxford United and Ballyhaunis Town locked together on seven points and Ballyheane three points ahead of that duo - although they were in action last night after this paper went to print at home to Ballina Town and could have stretched that gap out a bit more before the weekend.
If Ballyheane can pick up three points from their meeting with Snugboro United it should more or less seal their spot in the top flight for next season, while in the other game, Ballyhaunis will be looking for a big performance away to a Manulla side who are well out of contention in the title race - with only league position left to play for in reality between now and the end of the season.
While the destination of the league title in the Premier League has already been sorted out - with Ballina Town B claiming the title a few weeks ago, there is still plenty to play for behind them in the table with promotion spots up for grabs. On Saturday evening there is a vital game between second place Glenhest Rovers and Swinford, in Swinford. The visitors currently have a one point advantage over their hosts and are sitting in second place. However a loss on Saturday and a Kiltimagh-Knock United win from a very tough trip to Ballina Town B, would see the east Mayo men pull level on points with Rovers. Achill Rovers, who are currently sitting bottom of the table, will look to overtake Bangor Hibs, when they travel to face the north Mayo men on Sunday morning. Fahy Rovers will look to pull themselves a bit further clear of the bottom two when they they take on Conn Rangers on Saturday evening. The other game will be a mid-table meeting between Manulla B and Iorras Aointaithe in the Barony.
In League One the destination and the title winners should be sorted out on Saturday, as will the final relegation place to the bottom tier for next year. At the moment, Killala and Westport United B both have 23 points leaving them on top of the table. Just two points behind them are Crossmolina and they will be hosting Westport United B on Saturday evening at 6.30pm. A win or draw will see Westport United B promoted to League One next year. Killala might be 12 points ahead of their opponents on Saturday evening Castlebar Celtic B - but the Hoops' second string are heading to Killala with it all to play for themselves as they look to avoid the drop to League Two next year.
At the bottom of the table Ballyglass B are already down - Celtic B are on 11 points and Partry Athletic are just ahead of them on 13 points, but the south Mayo men will be favoured to stay up as they face the already relegated Ballyglass Bon Saturday evening. In the bottom tier both Moy Villa and Newport-Mulranny Wanderers are already promoted for next season. The north Mayo men are two points clear of the West Mayo men heading into the final day of the season and are well favoured to claim the title when they take on Kiltimagh-Knock United B at home while Newport-Mulranny Wanderers will host Ballyvary Blue Bombers.
Mayo league award winners for July
The winners of the monthly Mayo League awards for July was announced last week. The team of the year went to Newport-Mulranny Wanders who won the McDonnell Cup during the month on penalties after coming from 2-0 midway through the second half against Moy Villa. The manager of the month award went to Ballina Town B manager Mark Beattie, who guided his side to the Premier Division title during July. The divisional player of the month awards went to Castlebar Celtic's Jordan Loftus in the Super League, Shane Devers of Ballina Town B won the Premier League gong, the League One award went to Mark McNally of Westport United B and the League Two award was claimed by Padraig McManamon of Newport-Mulranny Wanderers.
Mayo League Fixtures
Saturday, August 17
Castlecourt Hotel Premier League at 6.30pm
Iorras Aontaithe v Manulla B
Ballina Town B v Kiltimagh-Knock United
Swinford v Glenhest Rovers
Fahy Rovers v Conn Rangers
Killeen Sports Grounds League One at 6.30pm
Killala v Castlebar Celtic B
Crossmolina v Westport United B
Partry Athletic v Ballyglass B
Sunday August 18
Connacht FA Champions Cup at 2pm
Carbury FC v Westport United
Elverys Sports Super League at 11am
Manulla v Ballyhaunis Town at 1pm
Snugboro United v Ballyheane
Castlecourt Hotel Premier League at 11am
Bangor Hibs v Achill Rovers
Calor Gas League Two at 2.30pm
Newport-Mulranny United v Ballyvary Blue Bombers
Moy Villa v Kiltimagh-Knock United B
Kimore v Snugboro United B
