With the penultimate round of games in the Mayo League taking place this weekend across most divisions, there are a few things already sorted out, but a lot more to be decided. What we know for sure is that in the Super League Westport United are the champions, with Castlebar Celtic the runners up. In the Premier A, the title and promotion race is still alive and well and Urlar United have been relegated while three other teams are battling to beat the drop. In the Premier B both the title and promotion race are still alive and well, while at the bottom Iorras Aontaithe were withdrawn while the battle to beat the drop is still all to play for for a couple of teams. In League One, Manulla B are already promoted while Bangor Hibs can book their place in the Premier B alongside them this weekend, while at the bottom Ballyvary Blue Bombers and Straide and Foxford United B are dropping to League Two next year. In the bottom tier in League Two, Fahy Rovers B have taken the title while on Sunday in Milebush Park Ballina Town B and Charlestown Athletic B will battle it out in a play-off to take the last promotion spot.
After all that, things can get a little complicated and an exciting final two rounds of the league lie in store. In the Super League, Fahy Rovers threw themselves a lifeline with a 3-2 win over Moy Villa last weekend thanks to a Darren Creaby goal two minutes into injury time to round off what looked like an improbable comeback when they trailed 2-0 10 minutes into the second half. With two games to go, there is still a chance they can overhaul eighth placed Moy Villa who are five points in front of them. Iorras Aontaithe’s 3-0 win over Straide and Foxford United, has set up a nervy few weeks for everyone up to sixth place Charlestown, now back in the relegation dog fight and with Iorras heading to Charlestown this Sunday, and Manulla making the trip to Moy Villa, we will have to wait until after these high noon showdowns to have a better picture of who is going to be battling to beat the drop on the final day.
In the Premier A it looks like a three horse race for the title, with fourth placed Swinford needing all in front of them to lose their final two games along with them taking two wins from two to try to at best force a play-off. With third placed Westport United not able to gain promotion, it is odds on that both Ballyglass and Conn Rangers will be plying their trade in the top division next year, but the Westport United B team have not given up hope of maybe pinching the title, just yet.
At the bottom, Urlar are gone and it is a straight shoot out between Killala, Castlebar Celtic B, and Snugboro United to beat the drop. Killala are in fourth last place, two points in front of Castlebar Celtic B, who are in turn one point in front of Snugboro United. With six points to play for over the next two rounds, it could all come down to the final day.
In the Premier B, one point from six on offer will hand Kiltimagh/Knock United the title, while behind them Ballyhaunis Town are just one point in front of Glenhest Rovers. This weekend sees Ballyhaunis Town meet Kiltimagh/Knock United, while Glenhest Rovers will be away to a Castlebar Celtic C side looking to avoid the drop. The final round of games has Glenhest Rovers at home to another side looking to avoid relegation, Conn Rangers B, while Ballyhaunis Town are away to Mulranny United and Kiltimagh/ Knock United are at home to Ballinrobe Town.
One things for sure, you cannot say this year’s Mayo League season has not been exciting and there are bound to be plenty more twists and turns to go!
