Mixed day for Mayo clubs in the Connaught Cup

By Stuart Tynan

Only two Mayo League clubs remain in the TP Brennan Connaught Junior Cup as many of Mayo's top sides fell at the last 32 stage.

Stevie Gavin's first game in charge since returning to the Castlebar Celtic hotseat was a winning one as Paul Walsh's excellent first-half effort saw the Hoops reach the last 16.

Joining them is Claremorris, who enjoyed a 2-1 win on the road against Arrow Harps. Danny Broderick's free kick put them ahead in the first half, before Simon Butler added one in the second. Harps got a consolation goal in added time.

Super League champions Ballyheane suffered their first defeat since August 2020 as they fell 3-1 to Galway & District League leaders Athenry. Dan Purcell levelled for Ballyheane after Gary Shanahan's opener but second-half strikes from Colm O'Donovan and Ray Moran put paid to Ballyheane hopes.

Westport United fell to 2019 winners Corrib Rangers in a penalty shootout. Shane Nallen's opener for United was cancelled out by Mark Wynne. United thought they had won it late through Eoin Conway's brilliant curler but Hamza Celik equalised to take it to extra-time.

Neither side could get the winner, and penalties would need to be decided. United's Cillian Whyte saw his effort saved while Corrib put all theirs away to go through.

Straide & Foxford put up a gallant effort against defending champions Salthill Devon but eventually fell to a 5-2 defeat. Fahy Rovers suffered a 8-2 loss at the hands of an impressive Ballinasloe Town team while Ballina Town were stunned at home by Ballymoe, losing 4-0.

In the TP Brennan Connaught Shield, Partry Athletic were eliminated by Dunmore Town but Ballinrobe Town, Kiltimagh/Knock United B and Westport United B all advanced to the third round.

*You can read full match reports from Ballyheane v Athenry, Westport United v Corrib Rangers and Loughrea Rams v Castlebar Celtic in tomorrow's print edition.