Manulla were back giant killing again at the weekend when they defeated Ballina Town in a pulsating contest. With it delicately poised at the break at 1-1 Manulla kicked for home in the second period. Aidan O’Hora was on target for Ballina Town while Gary Durkan and Enda McGahon bagged the crucial goals for Tom Healy’s men. Westport Utd put their harrowing defeat to Ballyglass behind them from last weekend with a comprehensive 3-0 win against Charlestown Athletic. Goals from Pat Fitzgerald, Joe Lawless, and veteran Vinny O’Malley were enough for John Brennan’s men.
Ballyheane picked up three vital points on Saturday night when they defeated Iorrais Aontaithe away from home, thanks to goals from the returning Terry Maughan and Damien Walsh. It keeps them in touch of league leaders Ballina Town and Ballyglass. Castlebar Celtic were pushed all the way in a cracking match against struggling Conn Rangers who have yet to get off the mark this season. They needed to delve into their well of experience in a 4-3 win as both Paul Moran and Colm Nevin bagged braces. Shane Maughan, John Judge and Brian Hughes were on target for the north Mayo men.
Ballyglass and Straide and Foxford United's game was postponed as a result of the John Sherlock Cup (Masters ) first leg on Saturday night played at Milebush Park, with Mayo carrying a 2-1 deficit into the return leg in Lecarrow next weekend.
Claremorris keep up promotion drive
Claremorris continued their push for promotion to the upper echelons of the Mayo League following their 2-0 win away to Killala on Saturday night with Danny Barry and Mick Mullee on target. Glenhest Rovers maintained their position at the top of the league with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Westport Utd B. Chris Rowland fired home a penalty with Adrian Rowland also having a starring role in defence.
Swinford were made fight all the way for their three points on Saturday night in a ding-dong battle with east Mayo rivals Kiltimagh/Knock Utd. Chris Reddington, Paddy O’Donnell, and Richard Dalton were on target for Swinford, with Conal Mooney and Shane Prendergast firing home for Kiltimagh/Knock Utd. Partry Athletic were pushed all the way by Castlebar Celtic B in a hugely entertaining contest with Nathan Delaney bagging the winner. Likewise Fahy Rovers had to dig deep to see off the challenge of Moy Villa in a 1-0 win with Darragh Walsh on target.
Rangers hit the high notes
There were only three games down for decision in the Premier B division at the weekend as a result of the John Sherlock Cup (Masters ) first leg on Saturday night. Conn Rangers B were in fine fettle with a 9-3 win against Ballinrobe Town. A flurry of goals from Danny Langdon, Kelvin Nevin, an unfortunate OG, and hat-tricks from Damien Lackey and Shane Maughan put the seal on a wonderful win. Ballyhaunis Town began their Tonra Cup preparations on Saturday night with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Snugboro Utd. Jarlath Carney bagged a brace along with a deft strike from Pat McGee pushing them over the line.
Bangor Hibs were pushed all the way by Mulranny Utd at the weekend. It was on a knife edge at the break with neither side capable of breaking the deadlock. Brian McHale opened the scoring in the 63rd minute before Declan King made it two with 15 minutes left on the clock. Conor Dyar made Bangor Hibs sweat in the closing stages but they could not fashion an equaliser at the death.
High five for Town
Anyone keeping a track on the goal scoring charts in Ballina Town will have a job on hand come the end of the season as the B side maintained its push for promotion sweeping aside the challenge of Ballyglass B in a 5-2 win. Stephen Melvin grabbed a hat-trick in a man of the match display, with Daniel Helly and Lee Browne also on target. Both Kilmore and Fahy Rovers B played out a cracking 3-3 draw on Saturday night with Mark Gilbert (two ) and Michael Lavelle on target for Kilmore. John Cannon bagged a brace for Fahy Rovers B as well as a slick finish from Colin Higgins.
It was a family affair for Charlestown Athletic B on Saturday night with four sets of brothers starting as well as further set being sprung from the bench in a 5-0 win at home to Ballyvary Blue Bombers. Four goals from Brian Gavaghan, Noel Mulligan, Sean Quinn, and Nigel Cassidy in the opening 25 minutes had them in cruise control. A further strike from Paul Gavaghan in the 55th minute sealed the deal for the east Mayo outfit.
Crossmolina maintained their rich vein of form of late with another comprehensive 5-2 win over Kiltimagh/Knock Utd B as goals from Ian Gordon, Derek Sweeney, Brian Molloy, and a brace from Enda Jordan pushed them over the line. Snugboro Utd had to dig deep to see off the challenge of Hollister in a 5-3 win, with Des Walsh, Colin Corrigan, Enda Lavelle, and a brace from Stephen Clarke enough for the west Mayo outfit.
