By the end of this weekend, Westport United’s lead at the top of the Super League table will probably be down to seven points as the Covies have no game this weekend. Neither Westport or second placed Ballina Town are in action this weekend and Castlebar Celtic will be able to leapfrog Westport into second place. But the Covies are still red hot favourites to take the title, with the half-way point in their league campaign reached they will have a seven-point lead in their back pocket at the very least by the time they next play in the league. Last weekend Westport were 2-0 winners over Iorras Aontaithe thanks to goals from David Hoban and JP O’Gorman in either half, while Balllina saw off Fahy Rovers by the same score and Castlebar Celtic were made to work hard to come away from Foxford with the points. Castlebar Celtic needed a Ger O’Boyle goal late on to go home with a 3-2 win against the side who are rooted to the bottom of the Super League. Stephen Moyles put Straide and Foxford United in front early on, James Minogue pulled the game level before the break with Stevie Ryan putting Celtic in the lead just after the break. Paul Fitzpatrick levelled the game not long after and it was a close range finish from O’Boyle late on that sealed the win for Celtic.
This weekend Celtic will be at home to local rivals Manulla who held Claremorris to a one-all draw last weekend. Manulla came from behind to grab their third draw of the season through a Roger Clarke goal. Celtic will be favourites to pick up the three points at home to eat into the Westport United lead at the top of the table, but Manulla won’t roll over for their neighbours. Claremorris will be looking to get back to winning ways when they make the long trip to take on Iorras Aontaithe. Michael Hutton’s side have had an up and down season so far with two wins, three draws and two defeats in their seven games, while Iorras who have played a game less have a smiliar record but have just the one win to go with their three draws and two defeats, and a win on Saturday evening would pull them level with their opponents.
The final game in the Super League this weekend is the meeting of the bottom two in Foxford. Fahy Rovers are currently sitting on five points, four points in front of bottom placed Straide and Foxford United, and if the visitors pick up a win on Saturday evening it will make the task of staying up for the team from Moyside an even more difficult task.
Ballyheane open the gap out to four points
Noel Tuffy’s Ballyheane team have extended their lead at the top of the Premier A table to four points thanks to a 2-1 win away to Conn Rangers last Saturday evening. Ballyheaine’s fifth win from seven games has them well set up as the second half of the season kicks off this weekend. The ‘Hane will be at home on Sunday afternoon to Bangor Hibs and will be expected to pick up win number six of the year against a side who are currently second from the bottom of the table.
Conn Rangers stayed in second place in the table despite their defeat to Ballyheane last weekend and will be heading to the west coast to take on a Clew Bay United side who will be full of confidence following a 3-1 win over Castlebar Celtic B last time out. Third placed Ballinrobe Town wre held to a 1-1 draw by Bangor Hibs at home last weekend. This time out they face a tough trip to Conway Park to take on a Snugboro United side who are level on points with them and have a game in hand. The final game of the division sees Swinford, who are stuck to the bottom of the table at present, take on Castlebar Celtic B in what is a must-win game for the east Mayo side.
Masters take title
The Mayo masters side last weekend claimed the John Sherlock Memorial Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over Sligo/Leitrim. Eric O’Reilly scored the winning goal in the final which was played in Milebush Park, last Saturday evening.
