The full concentration of all Mayo League sides will return to league action this weekend after being involved in both league cup and Connacht Gold cup action over the past few weeks. Iorras Aontaithe who are sitting on top of the table after eight games will be looking to shake off last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Swinford in the Westaro Cup when they host third place Westport United in Carne on Saturday evening. The Covies themselves were knocked out of the Westaro Cup last weekend by Straide and Foxford United, but both sides’ real designs this year are on the Super League title. A win for Westport would see them leapfrog Iorras in the table and still have a game in hand on the Barony men. Defending champions Ballina Town, who ran through Fahy Rovers for a short cut by a score of 6-1 in cup action last weekend, will have another trip to west Mayo on Saturday when they take on Manulla in Carramore. Brendan Kenny’s side hit a rocky patch in the league recently and a win on Saturday evening would be a huge boost to their chances of retaining their title. They have however played a game more than Iorras who are a point ahead of them in the table, and they have played two games more than third placed Westport United who are a point behind them.
Snugboro United who are rooted to the bottom of the table will be looking to pull the second bottom side, Fahy Rovers, a little bit closer to them when the sides meet in Conway Park, but as the midpoint of the season approaches for most sides it looks like it could be a lost cause for Snugboro in the race to avoid relegation. The final game on Saturday evening sees Castlebar Celtic make the trip to Green Road to take on Straide and Foxford United. Celtic currently sit in the last relegation place in the table and a win for them would see them at least pull level on points with their opponents, and depending on the size of a win it could see them move into sixth place in the table. On Sunday, high flying Swinford will host Ballyheane at 2.30pm, Ballyheane are stuck in the relegation quagmire at the moment, but will be hoping that their 3-1 over Snugboro United last weekend can give them the springboard they need to pick up some much needed points in the league. Despite losing six games so far this year, Ballyheane have never really been outclassed by anyone on the scoreboard and if their attack starts firing they could pull themselves to safety.
Local derby in Connacht Youth Cup final
The Connacht Youth Cup will be staying in Mayo this year, but where has yet to be decided. This evening, Friday June 25, Castlebar Celtic and Westport United will clash in Milebush in the final at 7.30pm. The sides recently came together in the Helen Johnson Memorial Cup final which was won by Westport United 3-2.
