The Mayo League will see the curtain come down on another season this Sunday (bar one or two re-fixed games ), with a number of titles and promotion spots still up for grabs. In the Super League Ballina Town have their destiny in their own hands and on Sunday at 2.30pm on the Pete Murray pitch in Belleek Park, they can wrap up the title with a win over Fahy Rovers. Ballina Town have been leading the charge over the 17 games so far this season, with Westport United nipping at their heels. A win for Brendan Kenny’s side will see them reach 44 points, enough to claim the title as Westport can only reach a maximum of 43 with their two games left this season. They play Iorras Aontaithe this Sunday and have a re-fixed game against Snugboro United also to play, but if Kenny’s men do what is expected of them Westport’s re-fixed game will be inconsequential to the title race.
Ballina have scored 49 goals in their 17 games so far this season and conceded only 18, and with players like Michael Duffy leading the line for them up front on Sunday, they have the firepower to add to that tally and claim the title. Duffy, who suffered with injuries last season, is one of the most potent attacking forces in the game in Mayo and grabbed two goals last weekend for the Mayo League side in their Oscar Traynor Cup win over the Inishowen League. But Kenny’s side are far from a one man team, with the likes of Tom O’Connor, Eugene Gorman, Dwayne Helly, and Derek Tansey all key figures in the north Mayo men’s run towards the title.
Things aren’t going to be made easy for them on Sunday though, Fahy Rovers have acquitted themselves quite well in the Super League this season since gaining promotion. Last weekend they had a 3-1 win over Snugboro United to pick up their sixth win of the season, they are a tough, smart, outfit who play the game simply but effectively and will put it up to Kenny’s side.
Westport United, who have been battling it out at the top of the table with Ballina Town all season, have their own battle on Sunday to take the points to keep the title race alive, should Ballina slip up. Padraig Burns’s side will host Iorras Aontaithe in the Sportspark and his side know well the Erris men won’t give up anything easy. It was always going to be tough for Iorras this season, after a long winter campaign which saw them go straight through from the end of the league to the start of this season without much of a break as they reached the FAI Junior Cup semi-final. Iorras have had a solid season and currently lie only two points behind Westport in third place and could leapfrog them if they pick up the win on Sunday, but Westport’s game in hand will still leave them as odds on favourites to finish runners up.
At the bottom of the table Kilmore is the only side to be relegated this year from the Super League, they finished off the season five points behind second bottom Castlebar Celtic, having won only two of their 17 games so far and conceding 42 goals in the process. Kilmore finish the season with a trip to Green Road to take on Straide and Foxford United who themselves came up from the Premier Division last year and will be happy to have retained their status in the top flight, as they try to establish themselves once more as a dominant power in Mayo’s top tier.
Play off could be needed in the premier
In the Premier Division, there are two sides battling it out for the title. Swinford have already guaranteed themselves promotion, as the other side battling it out for the crown are Westport United B who cannot make the step up divisions. Westport are currently top of the league by three points with one game left to play, but Swinford have a game in hand and if both sides win their remaining fixtures a play off will decide who takes the title. At the bottom, Castlebar Celtic B currently prop up the table, but they have two games left which could see them reach 16 points and safety. Manulla B, currently second bottom, have only one game left and even a win in their last game cannot save them from the drop. The other team in contention to drop down is Claremorris who were in the Super League last season. A win in either of the two games they have left will see them safe, but a slip up on Sunday against Celtic will see them looking over their shoulders in their last encounter.
Relegation battle in division one
Ballyglass are already champions of division one, with Clew Bay United and Achill Rovers battling it out for the second spot. The two west coast clubs will meet this Sunday in Achill at 12 noon with the winners taking the promotion spot. Clew Bay only need a draw, but Achill need the win so sparks will fly on Sunday afternoon on the island. At the bottom Ballyheane B have already made the drop to division two for next season, but there are still three teams fighting to avoid the drop. The advantage currently lies with Mulranny who are a point ahead of Glenhest and two a head of Kiltimagh/Knock United. Mulranny United host Inver, while Kiltimagh/Knock will entertain Killala and Glenhest Rovers will make the trip to Urlar United. There is sure to be frantic checking of scores elsewhere as this one goes down to the wire.
Too close to call in the second division
If you want close calls for the title then division two is the place to be, Moy Villa currently sit on top of the table by a point from, in order, Charlestown Athletic, Conn Rangers, and Claremorris B. It’s still Moy Villa’s to lose, they host Snugboro United B. While Charlestown Athletic and Claremorris B meet each other, Conn Rangers have the easiest game of the weekend at home to neighbours Ballina United who have already been relegated. Calculators will be at the ready in a number of grounds as maths could play a big part in the destination of the title and who gets promoted.
