Following on from the controversy that saw Mayo eliminated from the Oscar Traynor Cup last weekend at the hands of a controversial Galway League goal, it is back to the local scene for Mayo soccer this weekend with three games in the FAI Junior Cup and finally the end of the Elvery’s Sports Super League.
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 League’s 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.
Fixtures
Sunday January 23 (all games at 2pm )
FAI Junior Cup Round 4
Swinford v Ballina Town
Straide and Foxford United v Ballyheane
Manulla v Iorras Aontaithe
Elvery’s Sports Super League
Westport United v Snugboro United.
