Westport United made the most of Ballina Town’s slip up at the weekend to regain poll position in the Elverys Sports Super League. Westport saw off Fahy Rovers 4-3, while the men from north Mayo were held to a 1-1 draw by a Ballyheane side who ran into their own problems this week when the Mayo league awarded the points from a postponed game against them.
Ballina Town went into the last round of games top of the table, thanks to their win over Westport United the previous week, looking to stay ahead of the champions against Ballyheane. Mick Duffy put them into the lead against the west Mayo side before half time when he cracked home the opening goal after a neat turn on 41 minutes. The visitors had chances either side of the break to level the score when David Sheridan and Peter Burke went close. Ballina had an appeal for a penalty turned down, before Matthew Conroy finished off a flowing Ballyheane move. Ballina did get the ball in the back of the net before the end of the game again, but Mick Duffy’s 94th minute effort was ruled out by the linesman’s flag much to the frustration of the home side.
Westport managed to pick themselves up from their defeat last weekend to see off Fahy Rovers by the odd goal in seven, but it looked as though it was going to be a whole lot easier for them when they went three goals up after half an hour. Dessie O’Malley bagged two early goals followed by a Gerry McLoughlin effort to have United in a commanding lead early on. But efforts from Gary Goggins and Tomás Keane either side of half time had Fahy right back in the game. However Westport extended their lead through an O’Malley penalty to secure his hat trick and put them back in control. Still with five minutes to go Fahy grabbed a third goal to keep the champions on their toes and their win, combined with Ballina’s draw, put them back to the top of the table.
Manulla see off Celtic in local derby
Castlebar Celtic went down to local rivals Manulla by a goal to no score in Carramore last weekend. The hosts took the points thanks to a goal just after the half hour from Eoin Vahy which was enough for the home side to pick up the points and leave Celtic still in relegation trouble. Straide and Foxford United and Iorras Aontaithe played out a four-goal draw in Green Road in their clash last weekend. The visitors were rescued by a late Shane Nallen penalty. Nallen indeed set up the first goal of the contest when he chipped the ball into the path of Garrett O’Malley who headed the ball to the back of the net in the first half. The hosts, though, hit back in the second half and goals from Paul Moran and a diving header from Michael Costello had them in the lead till Nallen’s late show got a deserved equaliser for the Bangor men, who had been the dominant side in the opening half.
Iorras get points from swine flu game
The recent game between Ballyheane and Iorras Aontaithe which was called off because of fears of a case of swine flu which proved to have been a false alarm, has seen the Mayo league give the points to Iorras and fine Ballyheane €300 and has seen one club member pick up a month’s suspension. The decision to award the points and hand out the fine and suspension was made by the league following their investigation into the incident.
Westport United sought postponement of games
In response to the many people who wondered why all games were not postponed as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Don McBride, Westport United FC has issued the following statement.
“Westport United FC requested the Mayo FA to postpone both games on Sunday as a mark of respect to the late Don McBride but the request was not granted. The club also contacted the Connacht FA seeking their assistance but they were unable to intervene.
We accept that the Mayo FA acted within their own rules but we believed that such was the contribution of Don McBride to the sport, not just in Westport but on a provincial and national level, that a postponement of all games involving Westport United on the day of his funeral Mass and burial would have been appropriate.
Don McBride was a player, official, and held the post of president of our club. He was also an outstanding referee and he represented the Connacht FA on the FAI. His contribution over many years to Westport United FC was immense and it was fitting that his coffin was draped with the red and black colours.”
Killala girls go for All-Ireland glory
The girls from Killala AFC will be bidding for national glory on Sunday. The u-16s from Killala AFC will take on Stella Maris from Dublin in the WFAI u-16 Cup Final in Celtic Park, Castlebar on Sunday September 13 at 3pm.
