Ballina Town made it three from three in the Super League last weekend, just edging past Castlebar Celtic in a nine-goal thriller in Celtic Park.
Benny Lavelle was the main-man on the day, scoring all five goals for the Town in an amazing performance. Celtic took the lead near the end of the first half through a Jordan Loftus goal, before Lavelle struck for his first of the day before the break, to send the sides in level on 45 minutes.
The Ballina hitman put his side in front for the first time just after the break, but their lead only lasted a couple of minutes before Lerlah Hay found the net for the 'Hoops to level it up again.
Lavelle got his third from the penalty spot on 55 minutes, but Celtic hit back almost straight away from a Jordan Loftus goal and that was followed by a Paul Walsh goal for the home team to put his side 4-3 up. But the goals kept coming and Lavelle bagged his fourth to level it up again and eight minutes from time he capped a remarkable performance with his fifth goal of the day to win it for the visitors and make it three wins from three for the north Mayo men.
Westport United, who have a huge game this weekend in the Connacht Junior Cup final, also made it three wins from three with a 2-0 win on the road against Swinford last weekend in McEvaddy Park. Phil Keegan opened the scoring for United ten minutes before the break with a header from a Mark McDonagh free kick and despite a brave showing from the home team, the game was sealed just after the 75 minute mark when a Mikey O'Brien cross was deflected into their own net by a Swinford defender.
Manulla, who were looking to also make it three wins from three last weekend, were overturned in the surprise result of the weekend when Ballyhaunis Town edged them 1-0 in Station Rise, thanks to a Carlos Jauier goal. That is a huge win for Town who had been beaten in their first two outings and will be a big boost to them going into the rest of the season.
Ballyglass made it two from three on Sunday when they saw off Glenhest Rovers 4-1 in Keaveny Park - Keelan McDonnell and Mossy Joyce had the home team 2-0 up at the break and a brace from Liam Hughes pushed them 4-0 clear in the second half before a Cormac Reilly goal cut the gap to three at full-time.
In Quigley Park, Claremorris picked up their first win of the season seeing off the home team 2-1 and left Ballyheane stuck to the bottom of the table after three rounds. Simon Butler put the visitors 1-0 up ten minutes before the break. With less than 20 minutes left, the vital second goal went the way of Claremorris when Dean Roddy finished from distance, but the hosts kept going and Nathan Reilly-Doyle got in to finish off a nice move, but it was too little too late as Claremorris held on for the win.
Castlebar Celtic have this weekend off - as their clash with Westport United has been pushed out to next Thursday night owing to United's Connacht Cup final on Sunday, but there are still a number of intriguing games this weekend coming up. On Saturday evening, Ballina Town will look to keep up their 100 per cent record when they welcome Ballyglass to Belleek. Manulla, who were rocked last weekend by their surprise loss to Ballyhaunis Town, will be at home to Swinford where a win will be vital to keep pace with the rest of the pace-setters for the home outfit.
On Sunday morning, Claremorris will be hoping to back up their first win of the season with another victory, when Glenhest Rovers come to Conacannon Park at 11am, while the meeting of Ballyhaunis Town and Ballyheane in Quigley Park should be a big game - a win for the visitors would be a huge result in their drive to stay out of the relegation zone, while the hosts really need to pick up some points to get their season up and running.
Super League Fixtures
Saturday, September 5
Ballina Town v Ballyglass at 6pm
Manulla v Swinford at 6pm
Sunday, September 6
Claremorris v Glenhest Rovers at 11am
Ballyheane v Ballyhaunis Town at 2.30pm
