Goals galore as Mayo soccer league madness continues

The insanity continued in the Mayo soccer leagues this weekend, where scorelines like 4-3, 8-1 and 5-2 caught the eye, as well as crunch Connacht Under-18 Cup action. We’ve tried our best to give you the main talking points in yet another hectic weekend of Mayo soccer.

Padraig Beirne opened the scoring for Manulla in their Super League clash with Ballina Town. However, the lead didn’t last long, as Brendan Lavelle found the net seven minutes later.

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Following ‘keeper Jack Livingstone’s red card, Ballina had a gilt-edged chance to pull ahead from the spot with 30 to go, however, PJ Gilmartin couldn’t dispatch the opportunity, and the game finished level.

Ballyhaunis Town and Ballyheane couldn’t be separated either. Adnan Hamze’s 14th-minute strike separated the sides at half time before Daniel Purcell spurned his chance to equalize from a penalty.

Thankfully for him, Rory Morris spared his blushes two minutes later when he found the net to earn a share of the points.

Eoin Prendergast’s two-minute brace, followed by another brace from youngster JP Collins sent Conn Rangers on the way to a comfortable 4-0 win over Kiltimagh/Knock United.

Castlebar Celtic started the bid to retain the title with a 4-0 win against Ballinrobe, while Westport got the better of rivals Glenhest in a tight derby day clash.

Meanwhile, there was no shortage of Premier League drama. An 88th-minute Jack Cunningham leveller, followed by Keelan McGreavy’s last-gasp winner, earned Ballyheane 'B' a hard-fought 4-3 win over a crestfallen Killala side.

Richie Shelley, Martin Deacy and Stewart Griffin’s second-half goals helped Crossmolina to a 5-2 win at home to Kilmore.

Oisín Moran’s 29th-minute strike gave Ballyglass United a 2-1 half-time lead over Westport United ‘B.’ However, Daniel O’Malley turned on the magic, netting a hat-trick to turn the tables and help the hosts to a 5-2 win.

James Basquill was another man with an eye for a goal. His two goals saw Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ over the line as they triumphed 4-1 over Straide and Foxford United.

The Iorras Aontaithe-Claremorris clash was one fraught with ill temper, and in all, ten yellow and two red cards were shown. With a record like that, it was no surprise that the only goal of the game came via a penalty. Mark Moloney of Claremorris put away the spot kick just before half time to secure the visitors a win.

In League One, Bangor Hibs were on the end of an 8-1 scoreline against Ballina Town ‘B.’ Sam Monaghan netted a hat-trick, while John Durkan scored twice to take his record nine goals in three games.

Swinford made it a successful trip to Claremorris, as they recorded a facile 5-2 win. Aiden Dunleavy followed up a hat trick in Swinford’s last clash with Snugboro with a brace in this one.

Ballyvary Blue Bombers got their first win of the campaign on the road, as they triumphed over Kiltimagh/Knock United ‘B,’ while Partry Athletic put four past Fahy Rovers. Ryan McNamara scored a brace to bring his tally to six for the season as Snugboro United recorded a routine victory over Conn Rangers ‘B.’

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League Two saw the peak of the madness across the divisions, with 25 goals in all across four games.

The 4-3 game between Ballinrobe Town ‘B’ and Glenhest Rovers ‘B’ was easily the best of the lot. Three goals for hosts Ballinrobe, including a pair from Shane Ryan, had them well on top, but Robert Canning and Ethan Reilly spearheaded the Glenhest comeback.

With the game on a knife-edge, James Marrey stepped up to the plate for Ballinrobe and earned them a fantastic victory.

Castlebar Town’s 7-1 thrashing of Conn Rangers ‘C’ has the pick of bizarre moments. First came the game’s opener 40 minutes in. Goalkeeper Cathal McHale made the long trip from his own goalmouth to the penalty spot to put the chance away.

That wasn’t the end of the madness. Connor Parsons came off the bench and scored four as his side made it a long day for the visitors.

Fahy Rovers ‘B’ would’ve thought they had earned a point when they equalised in the dying moments against Achill Rovers. However, a late Michael Moran penalty rescued the win for the Seasiders.

Finally, two goals from young Iraqi Alind Hameed sent Westport United ‘C’ to a hard-fought victory over Crossmolina ‘B.’

In the Connacht Under-18 Cup, Killala FC were dumped out by Galway side Moyne Villa, as were Kiltimagh/Knock United against Ballinasloe. Elsewhere, Westport United’s David McLaughlin ensured a quarter-final spot with a last-minute winner over Maree/Oranmore and Castlebar Celtic emerged with a 3-2 victory over Boyle Celtic after extra-time.

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