The big kick-off for the new Mayo League season takes place this weekend with 37 teams competing across the four different divisions in the league this season.
The action will get underway in the top two divisions (Super League and Premier League ) and the fourth division (League Two ) this weekend, with the action in the third tier (League One ) getting going over the weekend of March 27.
The Super League this year has seen both Straide and Foxford United and Kiltimagh-Knock United join the big boys of the game, following their promotion last season, with Ballyglass and Swinford going in the opposite direction into the Premier Division.
This season will also see a number of clubs not fielding teams, with both Iorras Aointaithe and Snugboro United stepping out of the league for this season, as has Ballina Town B.
In the Super League there is no rest for the defending champions Ballyheane, who only brought the curtain down on their domestic season from last term last weekend when they were beaten by Westport United in the Calor Gas Super Cup Final.
Ashley Stevenson’s side will open up their title defence on Sunday morning when Claremorris come calling to Quigley Park at 11am. The south Mayo men finished last season in third place, but well off the champions 14 points behind them. In their two league meetings last term Ballyheane put ten goals past Claremorris over both games.
The champions have retained most of their squad from last term with goalkeeper John Vaney moving on to Sligo Rovers and number ten Liam Irwin heading off travelling, the two major losses. With recent action in both domestic and outside cup competitions keeping them ticking over, Ballyheane should be ready to hit the ground running in their title defence.
Westport United who beat Ballyheane last weekend in the Super Cup final, find themselves still without out a full-time management following the recent departure of Mickey Feeney. Club legends Dave Hoban and Joe Lawless have taken temporary charge and they will be on the road to Glenhest Rovers on Sunday afternoon in their opening round game.
Castlebar Celtic who never really got going last year will be looking for a good league start under new manager Stevie Gavin, they have been making progress in the external cups over the Winter months and will look to carry that through to the league starting off with their game against last year's Premier League champions Straide and Foxford United who come to Celtic Park at the weekend.
Newly promoted Kiltimagh-Knock United will have home advantage on Sunday morning when Manulla come calling. The Carramore side didn’t put a consistent enough run together last season to put in a title challenge, but will be eyeing up taking the points in this one at the weekend
The final game in the Super League this weekend is the meeting of Ballina Town and Ballyhaunis Town in Belleek. Ballina Town have brought in a number of new signings over the break, and despite getting well beaten by Ballyheane in the Westaro Cup final a few weeks ago, they’ll fancy their chances of having a crack at the title this term. Ballyhaunis Town have managed to put together three seasons on the bounce in the Super League - a good start will be essential for them if they are to avoid a relegation dog-fight come the end of the season.
In the Premier Division, Moy Villa will be hoping that new manger Mick Duffy can see them make a break for the top flight next year, they will make the trip to United Park to take on Westport United B on Sunday morning. Swinford, who were relegated from the top tier last year, open up their season on the road against Fahy Rovers, with Conn Rangers hosting Kiltimagh-Knock United B and Killala hosting Crossmolina in the other game in the division. Ballyglass get this weekend off in the nine-team division.
League Two sees only two A sides competing against seven B teams and one C team this year. The only two first teams will also meet this weekend when Ballyvary Blue Bombers host Partry Athletic on Sunday afternoon. Conn Rangers C will be at home to Castlebar Celtic B. The other games sees Ballyglass B host Fahy Rovers B, Crossmolina B take on Killala B and Claremorris B at home against Ballyheane B.
Mayo League Fixtures
Elverys Sports Super League; Sunday, March 13: Kiltimagh-Knock United v Manulla, Ballyheane v Claremorris, Castlebar Celtic v Straide and Foxford United (All at 11am ), Glenhest Rovers v Westport United, Ballina Town v Ballyhaunis Town (All at 2.30pm )
Castlecourt Hotel Premier League; Sunday March 13: Fahy Rovers v Swinford, Westport United B v Moy Villa (All at 11am ), Killala v Crossmolina, Conn Rangers v Kiltimagh-Knock B (All at 2.30pm )
McDonnell Construction League Two; Sunday March 13: Conn Rangers C v Castlebar Celtic B, Crossmolina B v Killala B (All at 11am ), Ballyvary Blue Bombers v Partry Athletic, Ballyglass B v Fahy Rovers B, Claremorris B v Ballyheane B (All at 2.30pm )
