Mayo soccer leagues return with a bang

The Mayo soccer leagues made a welcome return after last weekend’s cup chaos, and spectators were treated to a feast of goals in each of the four divisions.

Here, we’ve compiled a comprehensive summary of the myriad of talking points from across the leagues, including a ten-goal thrashing, a pair of penalties to flip the script, and much more as the league tables continue to take shape.

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Super League

There were rampant wins for both Westport United and Castlebar Celtic over the course of the game week, as they recorded a ten and six-goal win, respectively.

Ballina Town bounced back nicely from their defeat to Castlebar Celtic on Thursday evening with a rampant win of their own, and PJ Gilmartin’s hat-trick, along with four goal involvements from Brendan Lavelle, saw them to a 5-0 victory over Conn Rangers.

Cormac Caulfield opened the scoring for Kiltimagh/Knock United against hosts Manulla before they surged into a two-goal lead courtesy of Bryan Ralph, Darren Fernandes, and Shea Benson.

Daniel Duffy’s 79th-minute goal for the visitors made them sweat. However, Manulla could finally breathe after Matthew Nolan struck late in the day to give them some breathing room.

Lastly, a goal on either side of half-time secured a return to winning ways for Ballyheane against Ballinrobe Town.

Premier League

Joseph Mulcahy and Connor Roberts’s goals within the opening five minutes gave Ballyheane ‘B’ a two-goal lead against Straide and Foxford United, which they held until the clock was in the red.

However, Damien Frontczak and Andrew Neary, with two quick-fire goals at the death, rescued a point and spoiled the Ballyheane party.

For Crossmolina, Conal Carolan and Richie Shelley’s goals saw them establish a 2-0 lead over Iorras Aontaithe. Brendan Nallen’s 61st-minute goal for Iorras may have put some pressure on hosts Crossmolina, but they held on for the win.

Both Castlebar Celtic and Westport United’s ‘B’ sides repeated the trick of their ‘A’ compatriots with commanding wins.

Celtic recorded a fruitful venture to Killala where they prevailed 3-1, while Westport United came away from Drum with a 4-1 win over Killmore. 

Finally, a Darren Murray goal was the difference as Ballyglass beat Claremorris 1-0 on the road. 

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League One

Bangor Hibs would have been convinced they were well on the way to a 2-0 win over Ballyvary Blue Bombers after Aaron Corcoran’s own-goal in the 76th minute.

However, hosts Ballyvary rallied in spectacular fashion. Substitute Jamie McArdle struck in the 84th minute to open the floodgates before a brace from the penalty spot for Christopher Kerins completely flipped the script on a shell-shocked Bangor side.

Dylan Webb may have put Kiltimagh/Knock United ‘B’ one up against Claremorris ‘B’, but Liam Kearns dispatched his second-half penalty past Richard Kelley to earn the draw.

Liam Morris and Ryan McNamara, from the bench, recorded braces as Snugboro recorded an impressive 5-2 win over Partry Athletic, while Fahy Rovers were on fire in the 7-2 win over Conn Rangers ‘B’.

Meanwhile, Sam Monaghan notched his sixth goal of the season to maintain Ballina Town ‘B’s winning streak with a win over Swinford.

League Two

Darragh and Richard McHale may have put Conn Rangers ‘C’ two up in the first quarter of their clash with Crossmolina ‘B’, but they were powerless to stop Crossmolina, who seemed to be galvanised by going down to ten men, from putting in four to power to a 4-2 win.

Westport United ‘C’s 4-2 win over Manulla ‘B’ made it a hat-trick of wins for their teams in local leagues over the weekend, with Rinalds Fedotovs to the fore.

Matthew Walshe’s early goal was cancelled out before long by Eric Carney in the game between Fahy Rovers ‘B’ and Ballinrobe Town ‘B’. However, Liam O’Toole’s strike inched Ballinrobe ahead before Walshe sealed the deal with his second goal late on.

Meanwhile, Michael Moran starred for Achill Rovers with two goals as the islanders ran out 3-0 winners over Castlebar Town.

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Connacht Under-18 Cup

Tiernan Brady scored a brace as Castlebar Celtic secured their passage to the semi-finals with a fine 5-0 win over Renmore.

Westport United brought Mervue United to extra time on the road. However, Darragh King reigned supreme as his goal consigned the Covies to a cup exit.

Mayo FC

Anthony Slabik may have recorded a brace, however, the Under-14 boys lost 8-3 to Athlone Town in the end. Meanwhile, the Under-17 and Under-15 boys also lost on the day to the same opposition.

The Under-17 and Under-19 women recorded losses to Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers, respectively.