Castlebar Celtic claimed the Elverys Sports Super League title in style last Saturday evening with a 7-1 thrashing of Iorras Aontaithe in Celtic Park. It was really only a matter of time when Celtic clinched the title, but thanks to Westport United’s 2-1 win over then second placed Claremorris, Declan Kilkelly’s men were able to start their celebrations early with one round of games still left in the league. Westport’s win put them into second place in the table and two points clear of Ballina Town ahead of this week’s final round of games. The situation at the bottom of the table has been sorted out for a couple of weeks now with both Ballinrobe Town and Swinford making the drop back to the Premier A league next season.
Battles at the top and bottom for promotion and survival
Fahy Rovers have already been promoted back to the Super League next season, but their championship party was put on hold last weekend when second placed Straide and Foxford United beat the west Mayo men 2-1. The win was a big result for Straide and Foxford United, as they stay two points clear of Clew Bay United in the race for the second promotion slot. Both of the sides looking for that second promotion spot face tricky ties this Saturday evening, with Straide and Foxford hosting Ballyheane and Clew Bay United away to Snugboro United.
Both Snugboro United and Ballyheane are stuck on 14 points each along with Killala at the bottom of the table with Westport United B, rock bottom on 11 points and looking as good as gone. The three teams above Westport United B are battling it out to avoid the second relegation spot that Snugboro United currently sit in on goal difference. They have a goal difference of -9, with Ballyheane on -3 and Killala on -1. The north Mayo men are hosting Fahy Rovers who could be overtaken at the top of the table themselves if Killala beat them and Straide and Foxford win. Conn Rangers are three points clear of the relegation pack in fourth place in the table and look to be well safe, unless some crazy results happen on Saturday evening when they face Westport United B. The action gets under way in the four games in the Premier A at 6pm on Saturday, expect plenty of phone calls and text messages to be buzzing around the grounds as updates come in.
Calculators to the ready across all divisions
Things are a little bit more clear cut in the Premier B table, Bangor Hibs are champions and have been promoted. Castlebar Celtic B are in second place two points in front of Moy Villa with one game to go. Moy Villa will take on the new champions at home and with the title secured Bangor Hibs could be there for the taking. Celtic B will have to travel to Kilmore in the search of points in a game that will not be easy as Kilmore are currently scrapping it out at the bottom end of the table in third from last place two points in front of Partry Athletic who are at home to Ballyglass and know that a win is essential for them to have any chance of staying up if results elsewhere go their way. The only teams with nothing to play for are champions Bangor and the already relegated Crossmolina.
It could all become a bit confusing, and calculators could be needed come Saturday evening. It is more of the same in League One and League Two. With Mulranny United promoted already in League One, they can be pipped to the title by Charlestown Athletic when both sides meet in Mulranny on Sunday. Mulranny United are three points in front at the minute, but Charlestown have four goal better goal difference than Mulranny and any sort of a win will send the title to east Mayo. But also for Charlestown’s consideration is that if they lose to Mulranny United and Westport United C beat Achill Rovers then Westport United C will leapfrog into the promotion places. The three point deduction imposed on Charlestown Athletic earlier this season could be very costly if things go against them on Sunday.
At the bottom of the table it is also very tight. Ballyvary Blue Bombers are already relegated. Urlar United, Claremorris B and Kiltimagh/Knock United are all battling it out to beat the drop. Urlar United could be in the best position of the three sides battling it out at the bottom. They will host the already relegated Blue Bombers, while Claremorris B will make the short trip to take on Kiltimagh/Knock United. A draw would see Kiltimagh/Knock guarantee that they stay up, as they are currently one point in front of Claremorris B . A draw in that game combined with an Urlar win would put Claremorris B down. As both sides are currently locked together on 16 points each.
Two sides looking to avoid drop the basement level
The permutations in League Two are a lot simpler, Glenhest Rovers are champions and have been promoted, Ballyhaunis Town will join them in the next tier of the league next season after securing second place. At the bottom, Straide and Foxford United B are down, but both Moy Villa B and Cross Celtic are battling it out to avoid the drop. Cross Celtic are two points in front of Moy Villa B, with Cross Celtic travelling to champions Glenhest Rovers knowing that a draw might not even be enough for them as they are only two goals ahead of Moy Villa B in the goal difference standings. Moy Villa B will host Bangor Hibs B, knowing that a win is a must for them to have any chance to avoid the drop.
