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Thursday

The last chance of a Mayo side bringing national glory at junior level back to the county this season disappeared last Sunday when Ballina Town bowed out at the sixth round stage of the FAI Junior Cup. Shangan Athletic, who had seen off Straide and Foxford United in the previous round, came out victorious once again over Mayo opposition; this time they saw off Mayo’s top side. Despite going one up and being in control of the game early on Ballina conceded three first-half goals in quick succession and were never able to get back into the contest.

So there is still scope for Galway United to remain a full-time footballing outfit. That much was proved in Terryland Park on Friday. Suddenly United’s existence is meaningful again. A seven-match unbeaten sequence offers confidence and evidence that the club can prosper in Premier Division company.

BRIAN GRIFFIN, HIBERNIANS’ MIDFIELDER

St Patrick’s 3

The Mayo League will see the curtain come down on another season this Sunday (bar one or two re-fixed games), with a number of titles and promotion spots still up for grabs. In the Super League Ballina Town have their destiny in their own hands and on Sunday at 2.30pm on the Pete Murray pitch in Belleek Park, they can wrap up the title with a win over Fahy Rovers. Ballina Town have been leading the charge over the 17 games so far this season, with Westport United nipping at their heels. A win for Brendan Kenny’s side will see them reach 44 points, enough to claim the title as Westport can only reach a maximum of 43 with their two games left this season. They play Iorras Aontaithe this Sunday and have a re-fixed game against Snugboro United also to play, but if Kenny’s men do what is expected of them Westport’s re-fixed game will be inconsequential to the title race.

League football can be a grind when results aren’t agreeable so Mervue United will be especially eager to arrest a losing sequence at Terryland Park tomorrow night. That Finn Harps, in the Premier Division last year, are the visitors merely adds to the task.

This weekend sees the Mayo soccer season really kick into life, with the premier division and Down being in action over the last few weeks, the time has now come for the Super League sides to get in on the action. Westport United will be looking to make it three titles in a row this season and following on from their extra time Connacht Senior Cup victory over Athenry last weekend they have been set up perfectly for the new domestic season. The Coveys will start their campaign away to Manulla in Carrowmore on Saturday evening. Padraig Burns and Kevin Cusack’s team should expect a tough encounter from the central Mayo side who are capable of taking on and beating anyone on the day, especially at home. The league’s three promoted sides, Straide and Foxford United, Kilmore, and Fahy Rover all face a tough start to the season.

Ballina Town went back to the top of the Elverys Sports Super League last weekend thanks to a 4-2 win over Snugboro United in Conway Park. Brendan Kenny, who also took over the management position of the Mayo Oscar Traynor Cup team late last week, has now got his side in poll position to push on and win the title with only five games left in the league. They are now sitting one point clear of champions Westport United as both sides race to the finishing post.

It’s back to the day job in the Mayo Super League this weekend, and with four games to go Ballina Town sit three points clear at the top of the table. Brendan Kenny’s side have a very winnable game this weekend when they make the short trip to Green Road to take on a Straide and Foxford United side who are bouncing around in the bottom two of the league. After last year’s highs of a cup double and claiming the Premier Division title the Green Road side have struggled to make an impact in the Super League. But with their survival at stake they will put it up to Ballina on Sunday, but the visitors’ desire and greater need should see them through.