There were only two games to go when they finally claimed the Super League title, but the inevitable was officially confirmed in some style in The Sportspark last Sunday when Westport United ran out 8-2 winners over Manulla. With two games to go, United have the title wrapped up and are just 180 minutes away from going the whole league season without defeat. No mean feat at all. In their 16 league games so far Westport United have hit the back of the net 66 times on average, just over four goals a game. They also have the meanest defence in the league conceding only 14 times, less than one a game on their march to the title.
Cup classics in store
This Sunday, Westport United make the short hop inland to take on their great rivals Castlebar Celtic in the semi-final of the Connacht Gold Cup. The atmosphere in Celtic Park on Sunday promises to be one of to savour and Celtic will be looking to take some puff out of the Westport sails. Celtic got the season off to a slow start, but in the end were the only side to put up any sort of a challenge to United in the race for the title. But the three defeats they suffered to Westport United in round one, along with a shock defeat to Moy Villa and then a 6-2 thrashing by Ballina Town, ruled them out of the title race, before they found their groove. But Celtic have been on a great winning run for the past few months and last Sunday they saw off Charlestown Athletic 4-1 thanks to goals from Paul Fitzpatrick, Stephen Walsh, Ronan Carolan and an own-goal. They've only won two fewer games than United in the league this year and they'll be backing themselves to pull off another cup upset after they knocked United out of the Connacht Cup early in the year, much to the surprise of a lot of onlookers.
The other semi-final is another local derby with the meeting of Manulla and Ballyheane in Carramore. Both teams have been bobbing around the middle of the Super League rankings, with Ballyheane currently four points ahead of the side they are visiting on Sunday. When the sides met already this year, Ballyheane were the side who emerged victorious on both occasions, picking up a 1-0 win in Carramore early in the season and a 2-1 victory in Quigley Park three weeks ago.
The semi-finals of the Connacht Gold Shield are also down for decision on Sunday, Ballina Town will be the hot favourites to pick up the trophy, the third placed Super League side will face off against the lower division Ballyhaunis Town on Sunday at noon, with Glenhest Rovers hosting Charlestown Athletic in the other semi-final.
Still all to play for in the lower divisions
With the destination of the Super League title now confirmed, the battle for the Premier A title is still right in the melting pot with two games to go. Ballyglass and Conn Rangers are still locked together on 37 points each after both sides won last Sunday. Ballyglass were really pushed to the pin of their collar by Swinford last Sunday as the emerged the winners by the odd goal in seven, while Conn Rangers had it slightly easier with a 3-1 win away to Killala. Just behind the top two a couple of points behind is Westport United B, who are looking to pounce on any slip up. With the B team not able to gain promotion, another point for both Ballyglass and Conn Rangers will confirm their place in next years Super League. At the bottom of the table, Castlebar Celtic B were the big winners when they managed to turn over local rivals Snugboro United in Conway Park last Sunday. That win moved Celtic B on point ahead of Snugboro and out of the drop zone. The run-in sees Celtic having arguably the easier final two games against a Swinford side and the already relegated Urlar United, while the 'Boro take on mid-table Claremorris and then will host title chasing Conn Rangers in their final league game.
The Mayo League have appointed the Westport United management team of Kieran Mulchrone and James Fahy as the managers of the Mayo League representative side for the upcoming representative games. The will be in charge for the Connacht Inter League Cup, and The Oscar Traynor Campaign.
