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There may be concerns voiced form players and managers about the length of their season in Mayo soccer circles, but the progress of Mayo sides in national and provincial competitions to the latter stages continues, even though they should be in off season. This weekend Westport United are looking to round off their season, or if you look at it another way, kick start it with victory in the Connacht Senior Cup on Saturday. With the Super League only a couple of weeks away United will take on Athenry in Milebush Park on Saturday evening in the final of the eight strong competition for the best of the best in the province.

Ballina Town blew their chance to draw level at the top of the Super League last weekend when they lost 3-0 against Manulla away from home. The north Mayo men were three points behind the league leaders who were not playing last weekend but could not take advantage. Roger Clarke wound the years back with two goals in either half, with Johnny Hennelly scoring direct from a corner just after half time to put the game beyond the visitors. Ballina must now pick themselves up off the ground and hope they can shake off the challenge Straide and Foxford United in Belleek on Saturday evening. The men from green road are battling it out at the bottom of the table and got their second point of the season thanks to a 3-3 draw with Castlebar Celtic last weekend. Shane Burke opened the scoring five minutes before the break after Celtic had lost the services of veteran goalkeeper Declan Kilkelly a few minutes earlier due to injury. Paul Fitzpatrick added a second for United which looked like setting up the win. However Celtic were handed a life line shortly after when Keith Hopkins directed the ball home form the penalty spot after Peter Flatley was fouled. Soon after the game was level through a Terry Maughan free kick from the edge of the area. Things looked to have swung dramatically in Celtic’s favour when Pat Reid was red carded and James McGurran struck his side’s third goal, but it was not over yet as Fitzpatrick grabbed his second goal at the death to level it up again.

They may have only lost their footing from the top of the table momentarily and only be there on goal difference, but Westport United will be hurting after Ballyheane came to the Sports Park and went home with three points, thanks to Alan McHugh’s goal 11 minutes before time. While Ballyheane in their history are no strangers to taking big scalps, going to Westport having only won two games beforehand, it looked like a major job for the men from Quigley Park, but their dogged determination and closing down of Westport in every area on the park ensured that they didn’t let their late lead slip.