Ballina Town moved clear at the top of the Divison One table this week with a victory against Fahy Rovers while Manulla had the night off.
Westport United got their season back to winning ways in the night’s first game, moving off the foot of the table at the same time with a 7-3 win over Straide & Foxford United. A strong second-half from the multiple time champions ensured they picked up all three points and kept Straide’s poor run of form going. A David Cameron hat-trick and doubles from Vinny O’Malley and Anthony McCrea saw Westport pick up the win, while Micheal Smyth, Brian Joyce, and Brendan McHugh hit the net for S&F.
Ballina moved a step closer to retaining their title in the second game of the night but they were made to work hard for a 5-3 win over Fahy Rovers. Fahy twice fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to level the game and as they pushed for a winner Ballina managed to exploit some gaps in defence and pick off two late winning goals. Michael Noone, Mark Beattie, Aidan O’Hora, and a Cormac O’Malley double keep Town top of the table. John Creaby, Colin Napier, and Gary Burke helped Fahy almost pull off a famous victory.
The night’s last game saw Castlebar Celtic return from their BYE week to pick up a 7-3 win over bottom side Ballyhaunis Town. Despite taking an early lead the east Mayo side had no answer for Celtic’s greater fitness levels and without any subs Ballyhaunis were always going to find it difficult to go the full 50 minutes. Fergal Kelly, Pat McGee, and Colin Glavey with the goals for Ballyhaunis, but Celtic found their stride in the middle of the first-half, and goals from Brian Mannion, Barry Redmond, Kevin Malon, Ashley Stevenson (2 ) and Russell Gibbons (2 ) secured the win.
In division 2 Swinford A lost more ground on the league leaders wwith Swinford B giving themselves some breathing space at the top.
Manulla B sit second in the table after receiving a walkover from Mulranny United in the night’s opening game. The second team this season to be handed three points by the west Mayo side.
Kiltimagh/Knock United had no answer for Swinford B in the night’s first actual kick-off. Ten goals from Patrick McDonnell put Swinford B on their way to a 13-3 victory. A Karol Rushe double and Brian Kelleher rounding off the scoring as Swinford B move three clear at the top on 18 points. James Carty, Colm Kelly, and Jerome Hunt with the goals for Kiltimagh/Knock.
The wheels are continuing to come off Swinford’s season as they suffered a second successive defeat, this time to Conn Rangers, leaving them five points off top spot. The north Mayo side were full value for their win, racing into a 3-0 lead before the half-time break. Swinford had no answer and despite goals from Joe Kelly and Eoin Gallagher they never looked like picking up anything from a niggly game. Eanna Mchale and Sean Carey hit two goals each, with both finding the net in the second-half to secure the win, while Trevor Warde also netted.
