The action in the Mayo League will go on hiatus for at least three weeks following the imposition of the latest government restrictions earlier this week.
Last weekend saw the eighth round of action take place in the top flight of the league and Westport United maintained their 100 per cent record with a 5-2 win over Claremorris in the Sportspark.
The visitors put up a very good showing in the first half, going in level at 2-2, before United hit three unanswered goals in the second half to make it eight wins from eight games.
Phil Keegan put United in front from a Cian McAllister corner early on, but it didn't take long for the visitors to strike back, with Dean Roddy finding the net. The hosts went back in front again through a McAllister goal after he reacted quickest to a save from a Darren Browne shot. However, Claremorris weren't done yet and Finian Brady struck their second equaliser of the day just before the half-time whistle. United weren't gong to let their 100 per cent record slip and they hit the ground running early in the second half, with James McGrath getting their third goal- Phil Keegan stretched their lead out to two and the result was made sure by a Darren Browne effort from the penalty spot.
Ballina Town put their defeat at home to Westport United the previous week behind them with a 3-0 win on the road against fellow title-chasers, Manulla. The homeside dominated a lot of the play early on but they failed to make the breakthrough their play deserved. Ballina were prodding and probing and it was looking like - if they could create a good chance they would get in - and that's exactly what happened just before half-time, when Benny Lavelle was played through and he fired low to the net from just inside the area. Town pushed themselves 2-0 up early in the second half when nobody bothered to challenge for a ball from a Dylan McKee free from the right hand side of the pitch and the ball ended up in the back of the net. Manulla pushed hard but despite creating some decent chances, they just couldn't find the net and a Benny Lavelle goal late on saw the scoring rounded out and sent the three points home with Ballina Town.
Ballyhane made sure of their place in the top five of the division before it spilts in two, with their fifth win in a row, thanks to a 4-0 win over Glenhest Rovers. Liam Irwin hit a first-half hat-trick to lay the foundations of another great win from Ashley Stevenson's side, with Paddy Burke getting the fourth goal.
Castlebar Celtic also secured a place in the top five of the division with their second win on the bounce, coming out on top in a high-scoring encounter with Swinford in McEvaddy Park. The hosts took the lead through a Gordie Carter goal early on, but Celtic hit back through a Jordan Loftus goal. The Hoops' took charge of the game from then on, with Lerlah Hay getting their second goal of the day - before Loftus added two more to complete his hat-trick before the half-time whistle. Swinford did cut the gap back to two goals through a Joe Slevin strike, before Loftus made it five for Celtic with his fourth goal of the day - the scoring was wrapped up by a Richie Dalton goal to leave the game finished at 5-3 to the visitors.
In the final game of the weekend in the top flight there were eight goals shared out equally between Ballyhaunis Town and Ballyglass in Station Rise. Twice, Ballyglass led by two goals with Conor Keane and Liam Hughes both hitting two goals for the visitors, but goals from Gary Higgins, Jamil Kezzze, Sam Olabude and Hamad Althobhahey saw the east Mayo men pick up a vital point in their battle to avoid the drop.
Kiltimagh-Knock United go top in the Premier
In the top-of the table clash in the Premier League, Kiltimagh-Knock United went back to the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Conn Rangers, who had been the previous holders of the post. Dylan Webb hit the opening goal for Giles McDonagh's side before Dylan Roache showed nerves of steel to dink home a 'Panenka' from the penalty spot, to seal the win late on.
Straide and Foxford United moved to within four points of the top of the table with their fifth win in a row, hitting eight goals against Iorras Aontaithe in an 8-2 win. Straide and Foxford led 4-1 at the break with Kieran Smyth getting two goals while Brian Heneghan and Sean Malone chipped in with one each. Smyth got two more in the second half with Michael Guilfoyle and Paul Moran also finding the back of the net before the full-time whistle.
Westport United B put a bad run of form behind them with a 3-1 win over Killala in United park - despite going behind early on, goals from Niall Quinn and Ciaran Cuddy had the hosts 2-1 up at the break. The scoring was wrapped up by a Johnny Smith cross that evaded everyone and ended up in the back of the net.
The two other B teams in the division Ballina Town B and Manulla B met in north Mayo and it was the hosts who picked up the win by the odd goal in three. Veteran striker Mick Duffy got one of the goals for the Town with Shane Devers getting the other and Aaron Heaney getting the goal for Manulla.
Moy Villa hit nine to stay top
Moy Villa picked up their fifth win of the season in League One with a big 9-2 win over Crossmolina at home last weekend. Luke Thomas Ruane and Ciaran Gaughan both hit hat-tricks with the other goals coming from Paul O'Boyle, Nigel Lackey and John Durkan.
Newport/Mulranny Wanderers are just two points behind Moy Villa at the top of the table and they put four past Kilmore on the road to move ahead of the north Mayo men in the table. Charlie O'Donnell's men were 3-0 up at the break, with Jack Hanley, Fintan McManamon and Mark Gill all hitting the back of the net, with Steven Patten getting the fourth goal to wrap up the win and see his side move ahead of their opponents in the league standings.
Achill Rovers pulled themselves out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 win over Claremorris B at home last weekend. Chris Western put the islanders in front early on before Claremorris levelled it up. Rovers went back in front through a Sean McNamara penalty. The scoring was wrapped up by a Kristof Jablonski goal close to the final whistle.
Father and son double act get on the scoresheet
It was a family effort in Celtic Park for Castlebar Celtic B as they saw off Ballyvary Blue Bombers 2-1 in Celtic Park in League Two last weekend. Father and son duo Stevie Ryan and Ethan Minogue got the goals to see the Hoop's take the points and move to within three points of the top of the table.
Kiltimagh-Knock United B went back to the top of the table with a 3-2 win on the road against Hollister, despite going 2-0 down to the visitors. Gavin Groarke hit the winning score from the penalty spot.
Crossmolina B got their first win of the season when they saw off Conn Rangers B 3-1 to pull level on points with their opponents in the table. Stephen Rochford hit two with Barry Molloy getting the third for the victors.
