Last Sunday saw the kick-off of the new Mayo League season with the start of the u21 league - and in division one in the big derby game of the weekend - Manulla proved too much for their visitors, Castlebar Celtic.
The Carramore-based side took all three points, securing a 3-0 win, with Darragh Byrne, Sean Corcoran and Aiden Dunleavy getting the goals - but the real headlines were taken by their goalkeeper, Ben O'Flaherty, who saved two penalties in the game.
It finished honours even in CMS Park where Kiltimagh/Knock United shared the points with Conn Rangers after the game finished level at 2-2 after the 90 minutes. The visitors went in front through an Evan Reape strike early doors, but the hosts were level not long after, when Jack O'Connor found the net from the penalty spot. Early in the second half the North Mayo men went back in front through an Eoin Prendergast goal - but the honours were shared thanks to a Matthew Leadbetter goal for the homeside.
Claremorris also picked up three points on the opening weekend with a 2-1 win on the road against Glenhest Rovers - Nathan Ring and Adam Vahey found the net for the Concannon Park outfit, with Eoin McNulty scoring for the hosts.
This weekend will see Ballyheane enter the action when they host Kilitimagh/Knock United, while Glenhest will travel to Celtic Park to take on the Hoops and Conn Rangers and Manulla will clash in Mount Falcon.
It was a case of seeing double in Mount Falcon last Sunday when Conn Rangers B took on Conn Rangers C and it was the C team that emerged with the points in division two. The C team were 3-1 up at half time with Ronan Holmes, Sam Thornton and Eamon Prendergast, getting goals to cancel out Tadgh O'Sullivan's early strike for the B team. The minimum was put between the sides by an Adam Battle goal, but the C team pushed on and Adam Gallagher got their fourth goal to seal the win over their fellow clubmen 4-2.
Swinford had three goals to spare over Ballinrobe Town in a 5-2 win in James McEvaddy Park - where Callum Cairns hit a brace with the other goals coming from Cian Redington, Jonathon Sweeney and Daniel Molloy. Conor Ryan got both goals for the south Mayo outfit.
There was a big win for Straide and Foxford United in the final game in the division last weekend where they put nine past Claremorris B to run out 9-2 winners, with Nathan Boukioud hitting a hat-trick, Kian Walsh getting a brace and Colm Reape, Kieran Molloy, Sean Bourke and Enda Bourke, all getting one each for the North Mayo men.
Killala will get their first taste of the action this weekend when they host Claremorris B, with Conn Rangers C looking to keep up their winning ways when they host Swinford, while their B team travel to Green Road to take on Straide and Foxford United.
Fixtures
TF Royal Hotel and Theatre u21 Division 1: Ballyheane v Kiltimagh/Knock United; Castlebar Celtic v Glenhest Rovers; Conn Rangers v Manualla. TF Royal Hotel and Theatre u21 Division 2: Conn Rangers C v Swinford; Killala v Claremorris B, Straide and Foxford United v Conn Rangers B.
