Mayo soccer leagues continue as tables take shape

The intriguing, never-ending narratives of Mayo soccer continued at pace last weekend, with 69 goals, derby day bragging rights, and a whole host of fascinating ties taking place in every corner of the county.

We’ve tried our best to unpack every twist and turn in a comprehensive review of all 22 games.

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Super League

It was a fascinating weekend of Super League action, and we have comprehensive reports of each match included in this week’s Mayo News sports section. Castlebar Celtic’s win over Westport United leaves them unbeaten, but they’re not the only side who have three wins from three.

Conn Rangers have impressed so far this season. Eoin Prendergast has been prolific and leads the scoring charts, and the visit of Westport United next time out represents a significant acid test.

At the other end, Ballinrobe Town will be looking to steady the ship as they remain the only side who are without a point in the division. Their fourth fixture could bring them some reprieve as they face second-from-bottom Ballyhaunis Town.

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Premier League

The highlight of the ties in the Premier League was the 4-5 thriller between Killala and Ballyglass. Michael Nealon opened the scoring for Killala, before Darragh Ferguson’s 19th-minute strike made it two-nil.

Ballyglass didn’t let matters rest there, and before half-time, somehow, they were two to the good courtesy of Phelim Prendergast, former League of Ireland footballer Ryan Connolly (2) and a Daniel Walsh own-goal.

Hosts Killala weren’t waving the white flag, and Tommy Muldoon and Kevin Healy made it four all as the game entered the dying echelons. With the fat in the fire, Connolly stepped up with the decisive goal to complete his hat-trick and earn Ballyglass the win.

Elsewhere, the derby-day clash of Kilmore and Iorras Aontaithe produced a fine crowd and a fine first half to match. Guilherme de Souza found the net early doors in the 13th minute, before turning provider to Mark Gilbert nine minutes later.

Centre-back Cillian Reilly pulled one back, and when referee Damien McGrath pointed to the spot, there was a real chance to level proceedings. However, Dylan McAndrew saved Daithi Cosgrove’s attempt, and Kilmore withheld the pressure of neighbours Iorras to secure the points and bragging rights.

Elsewhere, Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ couldn’t repeat the feat of their ‘A’ counterparts, as they fell to a 3-1 defeat to Westport United ‘B’. Claremorris ran rampant against Straide and Foxford United, scoring three in the first 20 minutes as they cruised to a 5-1 win.

League One

Snugboro United’s two goals from Liam Morris and Ryan McNamara before the clock entered double figures gave them a dream start against Kiltimagh/Knock United ‘B’. However, the visitors came out rejuvenated after the break. Captain Dylan Webb halved the deficit before Morris made it a brace for himself to push the advantage back out to two.

Romanian substitute Octavian Turcu made it a successful cameo as he once again left the minimum between the sides, before Shane Byrne’s 73rd minute goal left it honours even at full time.

David Conroy’s brace within seconds of each other sent Bangor Hibs on the way to a 3-1 win over Fahy Rovers, who sit at the bottom of the league. Meanwhile, Shane Devers, with his third and fourth goals of the season, did enough to earn a still-unbeaten Ballina Town ‘B’ a 2-0 win on the road to Conn Rangers ‘B’.

Conor O’Keefe’s 18th-minute goal put Claremorris ‘B’ one up early doors against Ballyvary Blue Bombers; however, the hosts equalised from the spot on the cusp of the changeover via a Christopher Kerins-placed ball.

The hard work to level proceedings was undone early in act two when Daniel Foy deflected the ball into his own net. Ballyvary never recovered, and Ian Costello sealed the deal to make it 3-1 in the 66th minute

Swinford were ruthless as they put on an exhibition against Partry Athletic in a 7-1 pasting. Conall Macgabhan’s 19th-minute goal gave the visitors to Swinford a slim advantage, which lasted until the 38th minute.

However, Robert Jordan’s equalizer opened the floodgates. Joseph Slevin and Aiden Dunleavy made it 3-1 before half-time. Jordan Dunleavy’s second, alongside finishes from Zack Stone and David Taylor, hammered their superiority home.

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League Two

As seems customary this game week, two quick-fire goals had Manulla ahead early doors in their clash with Ballinrobe Town ‘B’ via Cian Mannion and Robert Harrison. Adam Thornton pulled one back for the visitors to leave the game on a knife-edge.

The game remained on a knife edge until the closing exchanges, when Ruairi Kelly stepped up to the plate to re-establish the two-goal lead for Manulla in the 89th minute, a lead  they held onto until the full-time whistle.

Colm Campbell gave Achill Rovers a 1-0 half-time lead away to Glenhest Rovers ‘B’. James O’Hara got in on the act to make it two early on in the second half, before Campbell popped up with his third of the season to make it a comfortable 3-0 win.

Westport United ‘C’ also recorded a 3-0 win at the expense of Conn Rangers ‘C’. Jack Walsh starred for the away side with a brace.

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Mayo FC

It was a mixed bag for the Mayo FC contingent over the course of the weekend. Emily Coleman’s brace helped the Under-17 Women’s side to a 3-0 win on the road to Longford Town.

The U-14 boys also put on a solid display in Longford. Ignas Banevicius opened the scoring for Longford before Mohamad Soufin pulled Mayo FC level. Warren Cahill gave the boys from the west a slender advantage. However, they couldn’t cling on, and Banevicius’s strike six from time made it honours even.

Aoibheann Mullan’s brace helped to consign the U-19 girls to a 3-0 loss at home to Finn Harps. It was a long day on Saturday for the U-15 and U-17 boys, as they fell to six-goal and seven-goal defeats, respectively to Longford Town.

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