Ballina Town kept their lead at the top of the Elverys Sports Super League thanks to a 6-1 thumping of Castlebar Celtic last weekend. Celtic who ran Westport so close in the previous round, were well routed by the north Mayo men who are zoning in on the title. But they did have to come from behind after Shane Smyth scored in the seventh minute to put Celtic into the lead, and at the same time Westport were 2-0 down to Ballyheane, leaving all manners of possibilities open for the league. But Ballina got down to business and went for the kill. Brendan Lavelle got the first one back, then he slotted home a second from close range and then bagged a third on the half hour mark and the game was up for Celtic. Ballina made it four before the break from Tom O’Connor and Lavelle got in again just after it to make it 5-1, before Michael Duffy rounded it off to the even half dozen before the end.
It could have been a lot sweeter a victory for Ballina had Ballyheane done the favour they looked like they were going to do for a very long time in their clash with Westport. The Quigley Park side were two goals up through Matthew Conroy and Gerry Burke after 12 minutes, but Westport weren’t going to let the league go that easy. Dave Hoban pulled one back before the 25 minute mark and Vinny O’Malley had the game level before the break. The same man put Westport into the lead with 25 minutes left on the clock. But Ballyheane weren’t done and Theron Coghill blasted home a shot from distance to level up the game again close to the end. However the homeside were unable to hold out and David Horkan headed in from close range at the death to give Westport the points and keep the chase alive.
In the other games last weekend, Iorras Aontaithe saw off Snugboro United by 5-1 in Carnenash and Straide and Foxford United looked to secure their place for next season with a 2-1 over Fahy Rovers in Moneen. While Kilmore moved closer to the drop with Manulla putting four past them to claim the win and the points.
This weekend the attention moves to the FAI Junior Cup with a full round of games in Mayo taking place, and the likes of Westport United, Ballina Town and Iorras Aontaithe will all be looking to start off good cup runs that should take them through the winter.
