ROUNDUP: Goal tsunami in unprecedented Mayo soccer weekend

WHERE to begin with this one? Each week, when you sit down to write this article, you have no idea what to expect, but even the most irrational mind couldn’t have predicted the utter lunacy which unfolded in Mayo soccer.

The action across the four leagues made for a fantastic weekend if you were looking for a goal. However, defenders and goalkeepers might want to give this one a miss.

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In total, 113 goals went in across 18 league games this weekend. It’s hard to know how to cover even a tenth of the action around the grounds. However, we’ve done our level best.

SUPER LEAGUE

The lead at the summit of the Super League changed hands twice over the course of the weekend, but the unprecedented domination of Kilitmagh Knock United means that Westport United are finishing the week in the same place they started it.

We have full coverage of four of the five games on offer in the top tier this weekend. For those turn to pages 17, 18 and 19 of Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.

First-half goals from Jonathan Lawrence and Lee Lyons meant that Manulla and Ballinrobe Town were level going down the home stretch. With time at a premium, Sean Vahey struck late in the day to ensure a dramatic Ballinrobe Town victory.

READ MORE: Rampant Castlebar Celtic run eight past Kiltimagh/Knock United

PREMIER LEAGUE

The Premier League had its own fair share of thrashings. First up, Simon Butler was on fire as he ran four goals as Claremorris’s pasted Killala 7-1. Elsewhere, Dara Padden rattled in four of his own as Iorras Aontaithe demolished Straide & Foxford United by the same scoreline.

The four-goal hauls didn’t end there, as Ryan Connolly put four past Ballyheane ‘B’ in their 7-0 win. That game rounded off a rough weekend for Ballyheane ‘B’, who were also on the wrong end a 10-goal demolition at the hands of Westport United ‘B’ a few days before. In contrast, Westport United ‘B’s 3-0 victory over Crossmolina to keep them top of the league seems like a tight clash.

Lastly, a first-half brace from Ruairi Nevin helped Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ over the line as they dispatched Kilmore 3-1.

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LEAGUE ONE

The insanity didn’t confine itself to the top two leagues. Far from it.

This was epitomised by the ten-goal madness in Claremorris at the clash of Claremorris ‘B’ and Partry Athletic. Liam Kearns opened for the hosts before Dean Shaughnessy’s penalty levelled matters. Parity didn’t last long as James Sullivan put Claremorris ahead seconds later.

Conall MacGabhann levelled once more , but five minutes later Simon Collins popped up to make it 3-2. Claremorris couldn’t shake Partry, and mere seconds later MacGabhann ensured the sides were level for a third time.

Kearns' second goal, closely followed by a Conor O’Keefe 89th-minute strike to make it 5-3, seemed like it ensured the win for the home side. However, Kevin McGinty’s 93rd-minute goal to halve the deficit followed by Noah Donnelly turning the ball in sparked wild scenes and stunned the hosts.

Christopher Kerins early strike for Ballyvary Blue Bombers had them ahead, before Simon Duffy levelled for Fahy Rovers.

Shane Foy’s own-goal gave visitors Fahy the lead, but they were still looking over their shoulders in the dying moments. However, Jesper Frisch’s and Cian Hughes' injury-time goals gave Rovers much-needed breathing room.

A Liam Morris goal gave Snugboro a 1-0 lead over Ballina Town ‘B’, which was doubled by an own-goal late in the tie. Siegman may have injected a modicum of jeopardy with his 85th-minute strike to make it 2-1, but ultimately that’s where it ended.

Mark Healy’s penalty to put Bangor Hibs one up against Kiltimagh/Knock United ‘B’ was chalked off by Dylan Webb before the changeover. With 15 to go, up stepped Michael Doocey to snatch the winner for the Erris men.

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LEAGUE TWO

Westport United ‘C’ rounded off a ridiculous goalscoring weekend for the club as seven players got in on the act in their 7-1 drubbing of Ballinrobe Town ‘B’.

Two goals in as many minutes gave Castlebar Town an early lead over Glenhest Rovers ‘B’. Kevin Conney pulled one back before the end of Act One, but Connor Parsons rattled the net to re-establish dominance. Ethan Reilly pulled it back to the minimum once more, but hosts Glenhest couldn’t pull level.

Manulla ‘B’ may have struck first, but Fahy Rovers had the last laugh, with Liam Foy’s brace from the bench helping them to a 3-1 victory.

MAYO FC

Kian Redmond’s 78th-minute strike may have added some instability, however Longford Town still did just enough to earn a 3-2 win over the Under-15s.

A Ryan O’Donoghue own goal had the Under-17s trailing late on against Longford Town. Thankfully, Samuel Roche was on hand to rescue a share of the spoils.