Mayo Super League glory looks to be heading only one way
TYNAN'S TAKE: By Stuart Tynan
NOW we are at the halfway stage of the Elverys Sports Super League, now is as good a time as ever to see how things are shaping up going into the second half of the season this weekend.
There are only two games remaining before the the league is split into two – top five and bottom five – and if you were told at the start of the season how this would pan out, you would have a hard time believing it.
It looks to be a three-way battle between Ballyhaunis Town, Glenhest Rovers and Swinford in the race for survival. Bottom-of-the-table Swinford must be puzzled as to how they are in that position to begin with. They have had some impressive performances in the league so far, particularly against the likes of Ballina Town, Ballyheane and Castlebar Celtic, but a point from their draw away to Glenhest is all they've come up with so far.
Glenhest pulled off the shock of the opening weekend with a well-earned draw away to Westport United and followed it up with a point at home to Swinford. But it has been all downhill from there, shipping 21 goals in their last three games alone.
Ballyhaunis Town's victory over Swinford on the opening day so far keeps them out of the relegation zone. But there hasn't been much to shout about since, with a ten-nil hammering at the hands of Castlebar Celtic a real low point.
It looks set to go to the wire, and the meeting of Glenhest and Ballyhaunis before the split could prove critical. But if you were to back anyone at this stage, with the threats of Joe Slevin, Martin Murphy and the two Devaneys, Conor and James, going forward, Swinford just might stay up.
The other other two teams that will make up that bottom five will be Ballyglass and either Claremorris or Westport United. Claremorris were in flying form before the season began and made a big statement in their opening day hammering of Celtic. Only Ballina Town and Ballyheane have a better defensive record but defeats to United and Ballyheane have dragged them into a race to edge in the top five.
What's happened to United though is the biggest shock so far. Tipped by many as the league favourites, they are currently two points off the top five. They should beat Ballyhaunis at the weekend but with Ballyheane their final game before the break, they face the real possibility of competing with the teams below them come the second half of the season.
The cups may offer some solace for the red and black, but the ignominy of perhaps being in the bottom five will make this league season one to forget quickly.
CHAMPIONS ELECT
While things seem destined to go to the wire at the bottom, it will take an almighty effort to stop Ballyheane from winning their first ever Super League title.
Looking at the possible contenders, any hopes of Celtic retaining their title were dashed after their defeat to rivals Manulla. It has been a difficult season for the Hoops, following the departure of Michael McNicholas after their defeat to Claremorris. They have a lot of good young players coming through, but until they sort a defence that has been far too leaky this season, they will remain among the chasing pack.
That leaves either Ballina Town or Manulla, who are five and six points of the leaders respectively. Manulla have done well under their new manager Declan Kilkelly this season, and their brilliant 4-1 victory away to Westport United certainly got tongues wagging. Many of this young Manulla team were part of the side that reached the Under 18 Connaught Cup final final two years ago, and they will be one to watch next season.
The Town have recovered well from their opening day defeat to Ballyheane. With a solid partnership between Niall Casey and Chris Moore in defence, and Benny Lavelle and Jamie Cawley doing the damage going forward, they have looked the most likely of the challengers to stop Ballyheane in their tracks.
Those two are set to do battle in Belleek this weekend. It's a game both sides have to win and a draw does neither any favours.
Should the latter happen, it all falls nicely into Ballyheane's hands. Following their comeback win on the opening day against Ballina Town, they haven't looked back. They have won every game they have played in league and cup competition so far, and many of their team form part of the Under 21 League side that are in the Division One final.
There have been some fantastic displays to date, with their dominant victories over Manulla and Claremorris making all take notice.
But for all their wonderful play so far this season, their last gasp victory away to Ballyglass was the defining moment of Ballyheane's season to date, as well as title race so far.
Should they get through Celtic and United in their next two games, the rest are playing for second and Ballyheane will be on their way to adding their name into Mayo football folklore.