The action in the Super League will take a back seat for a couple of weeks as attention focuses on the league cup final this weekend and the outside competitions in the next few weeks.
The break will leave Ballina out on top of the Super League going into the final round of games when they come up for decision on September 26. Last weekend they came out on the right side of a seven goal thriller in Erris when they saw off Iorras Aontaithe 4-3, coming back from going behind early on. It was always going to be a tough game for Brendan Kenny’s side, with Iorras still in the title hunt and coming off the back of the hammering they received in the Connacht Senior Cup final in the lead up to the game. The result puts Iorras out of the reckoning for the title and it looks like they will finish up in third place, which is not a bad outcome for Michael S Togher in his first year over the side. Westport United are the only side who can catch Ballina Town now, their game against Ballyheane was postponed last weekend, and they currently sit four points behind the champions with two games left, while Ballina have one game left.
Assuming that Westport United win their game in hand against Ballyheane it will leave only a point between the sides going into the final day of the season. Ballina will host Swinford in Belleek Park, and Westport will be away to Castlebar Celtic. Both of their opponents have secured their place in the Super League for next season already and have little to play for bar pride, but for Westport United facing their old rivals Castlebar Celtic could be a tough task with the title on the line.
The relegation places were all sorted out for good last weekend with Fahy Rovers, Ballyheane and Straide, and Foxford United all now beyond redemption along with the already bottomed out Snugboro United. Celtic sealed their survival from the cull thanks to a 4-1 win over Snugboro United in Celtic Park. The result combined with Fahy Rovers being held to a draw was enough for Damien Burke’s men to hold on to their Super League status for the 2011 season. Even with two games left Ballyheane will not be able to escape the clutches of relegation. Straide and Foxford United were sent back down to the Premier Division after two seasons back up with their defeat to Manulla and the combination of results of the Celtic and Swinford games.
Westaro Cup final on Sunday
This Sunday the attention will turn to Milebush Park where last season’s league winners and Mayo FA cup winners go head to head in the Westaro cup final. Ballina Town will go into the final as favourites, they currently stand 16 points ahead of their opponents in the league table. When the sides met in the league this season Ballina won 2-1 in Belleek Park, back in April, and 2-0 in Carramore in June. Brendan Kenny’s men have shown their nerve over the past few weeks beating both Westport United and Iorras Aontaithe who were breathing down their necks in the title race. Manulla have been comfortably ahead of the pack trying to avoid relegation, while still off the pace of the top three this season, but with the prize of ending up the year with some silverware on offer they could spring a surprise.
Celtic host Sligo Rovers
There will be a west coast derby in Celtic Park in Newstalk A league on Saturday evening. Declan Kilkelly’s men, who are coming off the back of two defeats in recent weeks, will be looking to put things right on Saturday when Sligo Rovers come to town. The game is down to kick off at 7.30pm.
