Two of the three Mayo teams left in contention for a spot in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup will be battling it out for those spots on Sunday afternoon.
Westport United will be making the long trip south to take on Cork Business League side, Doolan's Cow FC, in Mayfield at 2pm, while Manulla will be at home to Athenry FC at the same time.
United booked their spot in this round of the competition with a 3-1 win at home over Balscadden in early December, thanks to goals from Joe Lawless, Peter Corcoran in the first half and a Shane Nallen strike right at the death. Mickey Feeney will be hoping that his side can overcome the long trek south and bring home a place in the last 16 against a decent Cork outfit.
Doolan's Cow FC booked their place in this round of the competition only last weekend with a 3-2 win over Valeview Shankhill, thanks to goals from Jamie Murphy, Aaron Hennesy and Tony O'Reilly. The club is very young, having only been formed in 2005 - but since then they have gone to win a number of league titles and cups and won the league title for the third time last season and three years ago won all four domestic trophies on offer to them.
Manulla will be hoping to make home advantage count when they welcome Athenry FC to Carramore on Sunday afternoon. The Mayo side booked their place in this stage of the competition with a 2-0 win over Cork side Springfield at the start of December, thanks to goals from Gerry Canavan and Jesse Devers. Their opponents are currently in the middle of their league season and are in second place in the Premier Division, just two points behind league leaders Mervue United. They book their spot in this round of the competition with a 3-2 win over Coachford, with Adam Duffy grabbing a brace and Colm O'Donovoan getting their other goal in that win over the Cork based opponents.
The other Mayo team left in the competition are Castlebar Celtic who are awaiting the winners of the meeting between Shannon Hibs and Tolka Rovers who are slated to meet this weekend, the Super League champions will be on the road to winners of that game.
New u21 league to take place this season
The Mayo League will be running an u21 league this season with 15 clubs entering the competition following an invitation from the league for expressions of interest in taking part in the competition. The sides who have thrown their hat into the competition are Ballina Town, Ballinrobe Town, Ballyheane, Castlebar Celtic, Claremorris, Conn Rangers, Fahy Rovers, Glenhest Rovers, Killala, Kiltimagh-Knock United, Manulla, Moy Villa, Sungboro United, Straide and Foxford United and Swinford.
Number of teams looking for new managers
Ballina Town are looking for a new manager for their Super League team to take over the reins after Mick Duffy stepped aside. Duffy led the north Mayo side to the Super League title in 2018 and expressions of interest are being sought from candidates by email to [email protected]. Ballyhaunis Town who managed to hold on to their Super League status last year after getting promoted the previous season are also on the look out for a new manager anybody interested in the role should contact Richard on (083 ) 3024622. Castlebar Celtic are also looking for a B team manager for the coming season who must be willing to work closely with Super League management team and U21 management. Anyone interested can make contact through WhatsApp on (087 ) 1924100.
