An exciting title race ahead in Mayo Super League
TYNAN'S TAKE
MOST of the sides in the Elverys Sports Super League have played out a third of their season and already this is looking like of the most competitive leagues in recent memory.
Normally at this stage, one team has broken away from the chasing pack when it comes to the title race while one or two teams get cast aside at the bottom. But regardless of league position, most sides look capable of taking points of the majority their opposition.
Look no further than defending champions Ballyheane as an example. They have drawn with newly promoted Kiltimagh/Knock Utd and lost their near 20-month unbeaten league run after a narrow defeat to Manulla – which also appears to be Liam Irwin’s last game for Ballyheane for the foreseeable future as he goes travelling.
But they have recorded wins over title chasers Ballina Town and Castlebar Celtic in the process. It tough to win a league and even harder to retain it but it will take a good side to stop Ashley Stevenson’s men from doing so.
But Castlebar Celtic and Westport United could be those sides to do so. Celtic have made a good start to life since Stevie Gavin’s return to the management hotseat. They have two games in hand over most sides due to the Connacht Cup semi-final run and will be level with Ballyheane should they win both.
The addition of Oran Groarke and the return of Jordan Loftus has given Celtic an extra dimension and should they keep their defence tight, they will push Ballyheane all the way.
After being held to another opening day goalless draw to Glenhest Rovers, Westport United began to bang in goals left, right and centre before coming unstuck against Manulla. The management trio of Dave Hoban, Phil Keegan and Joe Lawless command respect due to their achievement in the past with the Covies. The addition of Dylan Duane from last year’s B team has given them a spark and if Darren Browne stays fit banging the goals, they’ll be up there.
Ballina Town have the firepower but if they don’t sort out the defensive problem, they’ll continue to drop needless points while you simply don’t know what you’ll get with Manulla. They have beaten Ballyheane and drawn with Westport but they have also drawn with Kiltimagh/Knock and Glenhest and inconsistency looks likely again to be an issue this season.
Down at the bottom half of the table, any of the bottom five could go down. Claremorris have been the real shock of the season so far. They finished third last season but failed to pick up a point in their opening five games. Comprehensively beaten by Celtic and Ballyheane as well as narrow defeats to Ballyhaunis Town, Glenhest and Ballina Town, many observers – including this one- felt if they didn’t win their game against Straide & Foxford Utd, they looked odds on to go down. They pulled off a tremendous win (5-2) but now face tough trips to United and Manulla in their net two league games. You feel their home game after that against Kiltimagh/Knock could be a real ‘six pointer’.
Speaking of Kiltimagh/Knock, they have adjusted well since their return to the Super League. The east Mayo side have picked up some hard-earned draws against Ballina Town, Ballyheane, Manulla and Ballyhaunis Town and have proven a tough nut to crack. They will be a real banana skin going forward but will hope to avoid too many draws to get suckered into a relegation battle.
Likewise for the other promoted side Straide & Foxford Utd. They took points off Celtic and Ballina, and won away in Manulla. But they will also need results against the sides around them and defeats to Claremorris and Ballyhaunis will do no favours.
Despite some heavy defeats, Ballyhaunis Town have this knack of getting wins over recent years when they need them most. The return of Gary Higgins will give them an added boost in attack and they will hope to avoid another last day shootout.
Glenhest Rovers have made some shrewd additions in Keith Mulchrone and Eoin Morris in attacking positions to back up their solid defensive unit. Under the new management of Stephen McLoughlin, they have competed well so far and should they find their mark in front of goal, you would expect them to stay up.