Charlestown Athletic claimed the division two title in dramatic circumstances, coming from behind on two occasions to beat Manulla B and lift the trophy. Athletic now move up to division one next season alongside an impressive looking Castlebar Celtic side who overcame Swinford B with ease.
Charlestown and Manulla B clashed in the opening game of the evening and all eyes were glued to this clash, which the east Mayo side won 4-3. The lead changed hands on three occasions throughout as Manulla held both a 1-0 and 3-2 lead before Charlestown came roaring back into contention. With the game deep into injury time and level at 3-3 it looked like the title was heading to the boys in blue before Donal Healy popped up with the winning goal with the last kick of the game 90 seconds into added time. After starting the season with three defeats, followed by two draws, it was Charlestown’s ninth win in a row and gave them a deserved league win.
Conn Rangers consolidated a mid-table spot with a 6-3 win over bottom side Kiltimagh Knock United B. This was a hugely improved display from the East Mayo side after they were beaten 18-0 by Rangers all the way back in round one. Conn will be looking to emulate Kiltimagh’s A side and make a run at the cup from division two, and this win will put them in good spirits heading into the knockout competition. Noel Hopkins and Shane Sweeney hit two goals each, with Brian and Eanna McHale scoring also. Jerome Hunt and A Vazaldis with a double for Kiltimagh.
Fahy Rovers came out on top 4-3 of a ding-dong battle with North Mayo side Crossmolina in the evening’s third kick-off. With neither side having anything to play for heading into the game, it was somewhat of a surprise to see both teams really going for the win with the cup still to come next week. Goals were exchanged at either end as both teams looked to finish on a high and a late goal for Fahy handed them the three points. Colin Napier, Barry O’Rourke and two from Mick Goggins gave them the win. Paul Williams (2 ) and John Loftus hit the back of the net for Crossmolina.
In the final game of the night promotion was up for grabs as Castlebar Celtic took on Swinford B in a much anticipated repeat of Swinford’s round one win. It turned out to be a very one sided affair as Celtic sealed promotion with an 8-3 victory. A first-half onslaught from the Castlebar side was the catalyst for their win as they led 4-1 at the break and quickly turned that into a 6-1 lead early in the second period. A late red card for Eoin Gallagher means he will miss Swinford’s clash with Westport United in the first round of the cup but the game was already gone from the East Mayo side who will have been disappointed with their own performance, even allowing for it being Celtic’s best display of the season. Barry Redmond grabbed a hat-trick with Wesley Hurst, David Cusack, Wayne Howley, Keith Hopkins and Stevie Gavin also scoring. Jimmy McNicholas and a Paul Halligan double with the goals for Swinford B.
