Manulla and Kiltimagh/Knock United kept the pressure on Westport United at the top of the league with wins but the Covies continued their drive towards the title in an entertaining game against Snugboro.
Manulla were first up to put the pressure on the league leaders and, despite missing a number of players, they proved to be too strong for a game Straide and Foxford side. The boys in blue raced into a five goal lead before taking their foot off the throat of United who almost pulled off a great comeback, getting within two goals before Des Campbell stopped the rot and secured the win for Manulla. A hat-trick from Roger Clarke, two for Campbell, and a John Hennelly goal were enough to see of Kieran Reid and Micheal Smyth efforts as well as an own goal. Ballyvary Blue Bombers moved ahead of Ballina Town in the relegation battle with a hard fought 4-2 win over the north Mayo side. The Bombers took their chances in a tightly contested affair that saw Pat Clarke score twice with John Loftus and Jimmy Byrne hitting the net also. Pat Duffy and Keith Conroy scored for Ballina who find themselves looking over their shoulder.
Kiltimagh/Knock United won the East Mayo derby with Swinford A 2-0 to keep pace with Manulla in the chase behind Westport United. It was two early goals from Andy Leadbetter and Gavin Groarke which gave United the win but they were made to battle to keep the scoreline in their favour. There were chances at both ends of the pitch throughout, but nobody on form to put them away for either side.
Snugboro will be wondering how they came away with nothing from the final game of the night against league leaders Westport United. In a highly entertaining and high scoring game it was Westport who came away with the three points by 6-4. Snugboro found themselves 2-0 up in the early stages before United powered their way into the lead. Snugboro fought back to level the game at 4-4 with just over a minute to play and it looked like the points would be shared before two late goals kept Westport three points clear at the top of the table. Alan McLoughlin, John Dyar and Brian Fahy with two goals each for Westport while Stevie McDonnell, Zybi, and a double from Piotr Slabik were not quite enough for Snugboro.
Celtic knocked off top spot in Division 2
Kiltimagh/Knock United B picked up their first points of the season last Wednesday night with a great win over Crossmolina while Castlebar Celtic were knocked off the top spot in the league.
Charlestown Athletic started the night off with a bang in the first game with a comfortable 3-0 victory over league leaders Castlebar Celtic. In what was an ill-tempered affair with both teams going full throttle for the win, the east Mayo side more than deserved to pick up the three points. Two goals from Declan Divilly and one from Paul Kenny sealed the win but it was a team performance which got them over the line.
Swinford B pulled off a great second-half comeback in the second game of the evening in division 2. Fahy Rovers raced into a deserved 3-0 lead after 17 minutes through goals from Mick Goggins and a Colin Napier double. But Swinford never gave up and pulled a goal back just before the break before taking control in the second-half and fighting back to win 4-3. The east Mayo side had to hold off some late pressure from Fahy but for the second time this season these two teams served up a memorable game. Enda Campbell, Paul Halligan, Keith Reagan, and Brendan Fallon scored the goals for Swinford.
Manulla B returned to the top of the Division 2 table after a highly entertaining 3-3 draw against Conn Rangers. Manulla led 1-0 for the majority of the game but a flurry of late goals had the result in doubt right to the final whistle. Eanna McHale hit a late equaliser for Conn Rangers, who dominated possession throughout, to share the spoils. A late Thomas Cunnane double looked to have given Manulla the win, alongside John Flannery’s early goal but Mark McHale, John Clarke, and the late Eanna McHale goal meant a point each was the outcome.
In the final game of the night Kiltimagh/Knock United B picked up their first points of the season with a thoroughly deserved 3-2 win over Crossmolina. Excellent peformances throughout the team, particularly from Seamus Hughes in goal and captain Brian Morley, provided the catalyst for the east Mayo side’s victory. Chris Jennings, Mick Murphy, and Jerome Hunt with the goals for Kiltimagh, who had to hold on in the final few minutes as Crossmolina went in search of sharing the spoils but the blues' rear-guard stood firm. Brian Hanrahan and Johnny Loftus scored the goals for Crossmolina.
