When they look back on 2012 in Westport, it’ll be one of the great years to remember for them. They conquered all before and after them, league champions, cup winners and Connacht Cup winners. They took them all on and saw them all off. And there is still the little matter of the FAI Junior Cup come the new year, which they will be targeting to bring home for the second time if they can. There will be plenty of memories for the men in red and black stripes, but Gary Cunningham’s two saves in the penalty shoot-out against Athenry in the Connacht Cup final to set up their win will undoubtedly be the highlight.
They were untouchable in the league here in Mayo strolling to the Super League title with 12 points to spare over Castlebar Celtic in second place. They won 12, drew one and lost one of an outstanding league season and on the way picked up the Connacht Gold Cup and the FCS Cup making it a clean sweep of titles on offer to their A side, their B team also picked up winners medals in the Connacht Gold Shield too. They also launched an ambitious plan to forge a new home of their own on the outskirts of the town, which when it comes to pass will set them up well for the future.
While Westport United were the kings of the top division, Ballyheane had a 2012 to remember also, making their way back to the Super League as champions of the Premier A title and back in April winning the Connacht Junior Shield final on penalties in McSharry Park in Sligo against Real Tubber. Joining Ballyheane going back up to the Super League next year are local rivals Snugboro United, who by the tightest of margins squeezed past Conn Rangers to make it to the top grade for next season. Going in the opposite direction are Fahy Rovers and Straide and Foxford United who found the pace at the top just a little bit too tough over the 14 game shortened season which was tried out for the first time this year. Going down from the Premier A to B is Swinford and Bangor Hibs. The Hibs were just one point off fifth place, but in these eight team divisions the gap at the top and bottom can be tiny and so big all at the same time. Coming the opposite way is Moy Villa and Charlestown Athletic with the north Mayo men picking up the title by only one point come at the end.
Mayo soccer was also lost the service of one of its great promoters at the tail end of the year with the untimely death of Jeremy Dee, who passed away following a tragic accident. Dee will be remembered for his tireless work, promoting the game, especially ladies football in the county, and he left a lasting impression on all those who knew him in the game.
