Castlebar Celtic wrapped up the Super League title in style last weekend, seeing off Claremorris 5-2 in Celtic Park.
The win cemented Celtic's first title in eight years after they won 16 of their 18 league games, Jordan Loftus bagged his fifth hat-trick in six games in the win to bring his total to 25 goals over the 18 game league season, the other goals came from veteran Stevie Ryan and Liam Flatley. The Hoops led the division right from the off and despite a little wobble in the recent past, they held off the challenge of Westport United down the home straight.
The United Park outfit sealed second place in the table after a 4-0 win over an already relegated Snugboro United with the goals coming from Jesper Frisch, Peter Corcoran, Jack Murphy and Phil Keegan. Their second place finish was confirmed after last year's champions Ballina Town were held 2-2 by Ballyglass - JP O'Gorman put the Keaveney Park outfit in front early on before a Benny Lavelle double had Ballina in front, but Ryan Connolly replied for Ballyglass to earn his side a point.
At the bottom of the table there was an afternoon of high drama, with Ballyhaunis Town thinking they had done enough to hold on in the division after grinding out a 1-0 win over Ballyheane, thanks to Cathal Carney's goal. But Straide and Foxford United showed the fighting spirit that has seen them shake off a very poor start to the season. They trailed Manulla 5-3 late on and looked to be heading for the Premier Division, but veterans Andy Neary and Johnny Jordan struck late to earn the Green Road side a 5-5 draw and send the relegation battle to a play-off
Both sides will meet in Solar 21 Park on Sunday, October 6 with the winner staying up and the loser heading to the second tier of Mayo League football for next season.
In the Connacht Cup first round, nine Mayo sides made it through to round two with Conn Rangers and Fahy Rovers the only two sides to win away. Moy Villa, Partry Athletic, Swinford and Ballina Town B had wins over fellow Mayo league sides while Kiltimagh/Knock United, Achill Rovers and Iorras Aontaithe were given byes by their opponents.
This weekend will see the second round of the FAI Junior Cup taking place across the county, relegated Snubgoro United will take on a Moy Villa side who claimed the League two title and with it promotion to League One for next year. Newport-Mulranny Wanders who were also promoted from League Two will be at home to Crossmolina who just missed out on promotion from League One this term. Fahy Rovers who finished in seventh place in the Premier Divison well clear of the relegation zone, but a long way off the battle for promotion will be at home to mid-table Super League finishers Manulla. Westport United will travel to Carne Nash to take on Iorras Aointaithe, while newly crowned Super League champions Castlebar Celtic will face Claremorris for the second time in a week in their national cup clash.
Ballina Town will make the short trip to a Swinford side who they will be meeting in the Super League next season after they were promoted from the Premier League. Ballyglass and Ballyheane will met in an all Super League clash in Keavney Park, while Ballyhaunis Town will tune up for their relegation play off when a Kilmore side who finished in fourth place in the bottom tier visit Station Rise.
