While the Super League continues apace this weekend, from the Premier Division down all the clubs are out in cup action. Claremorris currently sit on top of the Premier Division, with two wins from two, and have a long trek to Kilmore to contend with on Sunday afternoon. Claremorris manager Michael Hutton is not looking forward to the trip. “It’s a long two hour journey from here, so it’s going to be a long day on Sunday to go up there and come back home.” The Claremorris manager has seen his side start the new season with two wins out of two which leaves them top of the table. Last weekend they saw off second placed Ballinrobe Town 6-1 away from home marking them out as early season potential promotion candidates. “One swallow doesn’t make a summer and all that, it’s very early days yet in the season and we’re not getting carried away. Our first aim is to ensure that we don’t end up in relegation trouble and push on from there, it’s a very tough league that will be very tight at both the top and bottom,” was Hutton’s assessment of the league.”
With the cup providing a distraction from the league this weekend Hutton is hoping to use the game to give a number of his players who have not seen time on the park yet this season some game time. “We must have about 45 players between the A and B side this year and at least 20 who are well capable of getting into the A side. Cups are nice to win in theory, but our main aim is the league this year. I will be looking to give lads game time on Sunday, we had 17 players in Ballinrobe last weekend and it’s a tough choice leaving the lads out who are more than capable of coming in and playing well. It’s a balancing act in getting the right side out there and keeping lads interested, because it’s a long season and everyone is going to be needed throughout the year as we look to push on.”
Ballina stay top
In the Super League last weekend Ballina Town maintained their 100 per cent record with a 2-0 win over Snugboro United in Conway Park to keep them top of the table. This weekend Brendan Kenny’s men will host Straide and Foxford United who were held 1-1 by Fahy Rovers. Westport United who have only two games under their belt this season are hot on the heels of Ballina Town and also possess a perfect record so far, last weekend they beat newly promoted Swinford 3-1 away from home and face into a tough home tie against Manulla on Sunday. Manulla themselves came out on the right side of a five goal thriller at home last weekend to see off local rivals Ballyheane 3-2 and are more than capable of causing serious problems for Westport United. Iorras Aontaithe who sit behind Westport United on goal difference have also won two out of two and will welcome Swinford to Carne on Sunday. Alan Gough’s side have proved to be no pushovers so far this season with both Ballina Town and Westport United being made to work hard to beat them, and Iorras will have to be on top of their game or could be upset by the Super League new boys. Ballyheane will face into another local derby this weekend when Snugboro United come to Quigley Park, it has been a case of so near yet so far this season for Ballyheane who have come close in each of their three games so far without picking up a point. A win is a must for them on Sunday to ensure that they don’t get cut anymore adrift. The same applies for Castlebar Celtic who have a 0 from three return so far, Fahy Rovers will make the short trip to Celtic Park and Paul Large’s team really need to pick up a win which would see them leapfrog John Creby’s men.
