By the time this paper hits the shelves on Friday morning, either Moy Villa or Straide and Foxford United could be sitting on 10 points and level on points with second placed Ballina Town in the Elverys Sports Super League.
The battle in the middle of the table from second down to ninth looks to be where all the action could be for the rest of the season with Westport United streaking away at the top of the table eight points clear of their nearest rivals after one third of the league has been played. While it’s too early in the season with 12 games left to go, to say it’s a forgone conclusion that Westport United will win the title, there will have to be some serious swings against them to realistically see anyone hauling them in even at this early stage. From eighth placed Castlebar Celtic (who have two games in hand ) right up to second placed Ballina Town, only four points separate seven teams in the top division. Westport United have won six from six, while second placed Ballina Town have only managed to win half their games so far, with each of Ballyheane, Charlestown Athletic, Manulla, Moy Villa, Straide, and Foxford United and Castlebar Celtic only managing two wins. Second bottom Fahy Rovers, who host Westport United on Saturday evening, won one of their six games and Iorras Aontaithe have not registered a single point yet. There seems to be a lot of teams on the same level in this league with Westport United a step above the rest. The performance of the likes of Charlestown Athletic, Moy Villa, and Straide and Foxford United so far this season has been very encouraging for the promoted sides who have shown they can mix it with the likes of Castlebar Celtic, Ballyheane, and Manulla at the top table.
At the weekend Straide and Foxford will host Charlestown Athletic, while Moy Villa will visit Iorras Aontaithe and Fahy Rovers entertain Westport United on Saturday night. The Sunday games see Manulla and Ballyheane meet in Carramore and Ballina Town host Castlebar Celtic in Belleek.
The action at the top of the Premier A looks to be a lot more exciting with only three points separating the top four teams. Ballyglass are currently out in front with 15 points from their six games with Swinford a point behind, Westport United B a point further back, and fourth placed Conn Rangers on 12 points (but they do have a game in hand ). On Saturday Conn Rangers will host Westport United B, Swinford will be confident of picking up another win when they host bottom of the table Urlar United, and Ballyglass will make the trip to second bottom Snugboro United.
