The divisions and rivalries were put aside across Mayo this week as the tragic news of the death of former Swinford and Castlebar Celtic player Gary Price filtered through the county. Price rose through the youths ranks at Swinford, before moving to Castlebar Celtic where he was part of the 2007 FAI Youth Cup winning side. Tributes and condolences were paid from all involved in soccer in Mayo to Price and his family during this trying time. As a mark of respect the Mayo FA has postponed all games involving his former clubs Swinford and Castlebar Celtic in the Mayo league this weekend, and have asked for a minutes silence to be observed before all games this weekend in tribute to Gary.
On the field a reduced round of action in the league will take place this weekend. In the Super League Westport United will look to extend their lead at the top of the table when they host Manulla in the Sports Park on Sunday afternoon. The Connacht Junior Cup champions are the only side to have a 100 per cent record, and despite having played a game less than six of the other sides are still two points clear at the top of the table. Manulla have struggled early on this season against the big sides and have four points from their four games. They picked up their first win of the season in the last round when they saw off bottom of the table Straide and Foxford United at home and a point from an opening day draw against Iorras Aontaithe. However sandwiched between those two results were a pair of 4-1 defeats to Castlebar Celtic and Ballina Town.
Ballina Town who are currently among a group of three all tied together two points off the top will be looking to keep up the chase at the top by taking maximum points off visitors Iorras Aontaithe. Iorras are currently second bottom in the league, but they have only tasted defeat once in their first four games, having drawn three. Their last point came thanks to a 3-3 home draw with Castlebar Celtic, while their only defeat came at the hands of high flying Claremorris.
The aforementioned Claremorris will be favourites to pick up maximum points when they travel to Green Road to take on bottom of the table Straide and Foxford United on Sunday. The East Mayo Tangerines have failed to register a point so far this season, conceding 11 in their opening four games and if they do not turn it around soon, they could be adrift from the rest of the league before the half way mark. Next, Thursday is also a catch up day for the league with Fahy Rovers hosting Westport United in the Super League at 7pm, where the visitors could further extend their lead at the top.
