The cold snap that has taken over the country saw a number of games called off in Mayo soccer circles, going back as far as the Oscar Traynor Cup clash between Galway and Mayo at the tail end of December, that game has now been fixed for Sunday January 17 in Milebush Park.
Last weekend’s games in the FAI Junior Cup and the final game of the Super League season also fell foul of the weather and have been re-fixed for this weekend. If the games go ahead, weather allowing, there are a number of interesting fixtures in the offing for soccer fans.
In round four of the FAI Junior Cup, Swinford who made their way back up to the Super League for the coming season after coming second in the Premier Division, will host the current Super League champions Ballina Town on Sunday at 2pm. Ballina will be looking to make serious progress in this competition this year as they try to underline their place at the top of the tree in Mayo soccer. Brendan Kenny’s men will go into the game as firm favourites, but Swinford will be keen to test themselves early in the year as they prepare for life back in the top flight.
Green Road will host the meeting of Straide and Foxford United and Ballyheane, this clash between two of the Super Leagues middle ranked sides, should be a hard fought encounter. Ballyheane finished one place and two points ahead of Straide and Foxford United in the Super League last term and both sides will fancy their chances of progressing.
The final game of the round sees two Super League heavyweights come face to face in Carramore. Manulla will be looking to halt the charge of Iorras Aontaithe, last season’s semi-finalists in the national competition followed up last year’s great cup run with a strong showing in the Super League. Manulla rounded off a good season in the league with a win in the Chadwicks Cup final and they will be hoping that the hangover from the celebrations and the holiday period will be well passed by the time they take to the field on Sunday.
Finally, on Sunday the curtain should come down on the 2009 Super League season when Westport United host Snugboro United in Sportspark. A win for Westport will see them retake second place in the final league standings from Iorras Aontaithe.
