Two clubs aiming for consecutive promotions in League One
With all adult ameteur soccer on hiatus across the county and further beyond on hiatus under the new government restrictions, The Connaught Telegraph is reviewing each of the Mayo Football League division so far. Up next is Killeen Sports Ground League One.
By Stuart Tynan
THE rise and rise of Moy Villa and Newport/Mulranny Wanderers have been the main story of the League One season so far.
Incredibly, both teams look on their way for back-to-back promotions following their success last season in League Two, although the likes of Kilmore and Partry Athletic cannot yet be ruled out. We look at each of the teams who are primed for promotion to the Premier League and who will be looking nervously over their shoulder towards dropping down to League Two.
MOY VILLA
CURRENT POSITION: 1ST
POINTS: 16
GAMES PLAYED: 7
WON: 5
DRAWN: 1
LOST: 1
SCORED: 27
CONCEDED: 11
TOP SCORER: LUKE RUANE (TEN)
The heavy hitters of League One. The top three scorers in the league all come from the north Mayo side, with Luke Ruane leading the way with ten goals and John Durkan and Ciaran Gaughan on six apiece.
A taste of what was to come was upon us from the opening weekend following a thrilling 4-3 win over Crossmolina. Ruane's finish from tight angle gave them the lead at the break and goals in the second half through a brace from Durkan and Kevin Langdon put them 4-1 up. Crossmolina pulled back two late goals but Villa keeper Seán Gallagher pulled off a massive save towards the end to ensure Villa started life in League One with a win.
Things were a bit more comfortable in their next outing on home turf in Attymass with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Achill Rovers and they would then continue their high-scoring outings with a 3-0 win over Kilmore.
Anyone thinking however that Villa were going to romp towards promotion and the title like they did last season would be brought back to earth after they would pick up only a point over the next two games, which over the short league season can have a dramatic effect on the league table so quickly.
Second half goals from Partry Athletic's Conal MacGabhan and Dean Shaughnessy gave their side a massive 2-1 win over Villa while their nemesis Newport/Mulranny, who beat Villa in all of their encounters last season, continued to be a tough nut to crack as the sides drew 2-2, despite Newport/Mulranny finishing with ten men.
They did return to the summit with big wins in their last two games, 4-1 against Claremorris B and a 9-2 thumping of Crossmolina (Ruane netting a hat trick against Crossmolina).
Their away trip to Partry and the return fixture against Newport/Mulranny could be banana skins for Villa, but their firepower should be too much and most likely will see them clinch one of the promotion spots and the league title, an amazing turnaround for a club who had only returned to the Mayo League last year.
NEWPORT/MULRANNY WANDERERS
CURRENT POSITION: 2ND
POINTS: 14
GAMES PLAYED: 7
WON: 4
DRAWN: 2
LOST: 1
SCORED: 19
CONCEDED: 7
TOP SCORER: NIALL MULDOON (FIVE)
Only formed at the beginning of last season, Newport Mulranny Wanderers, an amalgamation of the Newport Burrishoole and Mulranny United clubs, have enjoyed a rapid ascent. As mentioned, they were the only team to beat Moy Villa in the league last season as well as beating them on penalties in a dramatic McDonnell Cup final in July of last year.
Their rock-solid defence, which has only conceded seven goals so far this season, picked up where it left off as it kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Kilmore, with Steven Patten netting the winner.
They made it two wins from two after a hard-fought 3-1 win away to Partry before going on to record their biggest win of the season courtesy of a 6-0 victory in Solar 21 Park against Claremorris, with Niall Muldoon scoring five.
But like Villa, they began to stumble. They first fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Crossmolina. They were also fortunate to take a point against Villa when their goalkeeper Paul Cafferkey was sent off before half-time and they would then loosen their grip of top spot as Achill Rovers's Conor McGinty netted a late equaliser in an entertaining 2-2 draw in the west Mayo derby.
Newport/Mulranny would bounce back in style with a thumping 4-0 win against Kilmore in Drum. On the resumption of the Mayo Leagues, their next game at home to Partry will very much be a six-pointer for both sides in terms of the promotion race. With their solidarity at the back, a win over Partry should set them on their way to seal the final promotion spot and if Villa slip up again also, a potential title-winning game between Villa and Newport/Mulranny could be on the cards in the penultimate round of games.
CHASING PACK
Much, if not all, of Partry's hopes of being in the Premier League next year will rely on any result in their next game against Newport/Mulranny. Anything but a win will more than likely end their chances.
Kilmore, despite losing home and away to Newport/Mulranny this season, remain only two points behind as a result of the west Mayo sides early slip ups. Barring an away trip against Villa, they have a kind fixture list for the remainder of the campaign. Should Newport/Mulranny slip up any more, they could be best placed to take that second promotion spot away, even though they may need a result in Attymass against the league leaders to do so.
RELEGATION FEARS
Things look bleak for Claremorris B and their fate could well and truly be sealed before their last game at home to Villa. The other relegation spot looks to be between Achill Rovers and Crossmolina.
It has been a tough few years for Achill, who were in the Super League as recently as three years ago. They have to face all the sides above them in the table in their remaining games but their next game against Crossmolina will be their most crucial. A win in that game just might be enough to secure survival as Crossmolina have a tough run-in of their own.
*Next week, we will be looking back at the promotion and relegation battle in The Castlecourt Hotel Premier League.