Ballyvary Blue Bombers kicked the night off with a nervy 4-3 win over Snugboro in the opening division one contest. Despite opening a healthy lead, the Bombers were left hanging on towards the end as Snugboro almost pulled off a sensational comeback.
Ballyvary looked to have scored an insurance goal near the finish but Pat Clarke’s shot hit one post and rolled across the line to the other. Jimmy Byrne, Clarke and Colm Carney scored the goals to secure the points for the Bombers. Zibi Dziminski and a Des Walsh thunderbolt almost completed the comeback.
Ballina got their second win on the bounce in the second match of the night with a comprehensive 8-3 win over neighbours Straide and Foxford United. A fiery affair but a good start was most of the battle for Ballina. Eugene Gorman and Clive Gilmartin both scored hat-tricks while an Alan Rafter goal and an own goal saw off United. Goals from Michael Costello and two for Micheal Smyth were not enough for the Moysiders.
Westport United’s 100 per cent start to the season came under serious scrutiny in the third match of the night against Swinford A. 3-1 down at the break after a fantastic opening period from the East Mayo team, and still a goal down with less than ten minutes left it didn’t look good for United. But a late flurry of goals, led by Vincent O’Malley, was enough to keep United top for Christmas. An O’Malley hat-trick, two for Brian Kennedy and an own goal eventually saw them over the line with a 6-3 win. John Keane, Tim Moriarty and Karol Rushe with the goals for Swinford A.
In the most shocking result of the season so far, and arguably the most shocking display, Manulla A’s 100 per cent start to the season was brought to a screeching halt by a hugely impressive Kiltimagh/Knock United. The East Mayo side ran into an early 3-0 lead thanks to an Andy Leadbetter hat-trick inside five minutes before going on to lead 7-0 at the break. Manulla did win the second-half but it was scant consolation. A Leadbetter hat-trick, two for Gavin Groarke and one each for Mark Bennett and David Forkan with the goals for Kiltimagh. Des Campbell hit the net for Manulla’s only score.
