No shocks as the action returns in Under 21 Mayo League
The TF Royal Hotel & Theatre Under 21 League returned with two rounds of fixtures last Thursday and over the weekend. There's no change at the top in both divisions as no shocks were recorded in a full round of action in Division 1 and Division 2.
On Thursday, Castlebar Celtic were in top form as they scored twice in both halves to record a 4-1 win over neighbours Manulla at Celtic Park (you can read our full match report in this week's print edition).
It allowed them to keep pace at the top of Division 1 with Conn Rangers, who had a routine win over Straide & Foxford United the same evening. Evan Reape and Sean Holmes both hit hat tricks in the north Mayo derby, while Conor Flynn and Caolan Hopkins also got on the scoresheet.
Ballyheane kept in touch with the top two with a 5-2 win over Kiltimagh Knock United in Pat Quigley Park. The away side opened the scoring through a penalty from Dan Duffy but Ballyheane responded quickly with three goals in the next 15 minutes as they were awarded not one but two spot kicks which Dean Fadden converted. The other goal came courtesy of Rory Morris.
Ballyheane were awarded another penalty, which Cillian Redmond scored, while Ben Edeh added a fifth after Cormac Caulfield had pulled a goal back for KK.
In Division 2, Claremorris secured a 4-1 win over Swinford at James McEvaddy Park on Thursday. Even though the home side took the lead on 20 minutes, Claremorris equalised just eight minutes later when Joe Gilmour set up Nathan Ring. Ring then put his side in front just before the hour mark when he got on the end of a ball over the top from Noel Mellett to finish superbly, and within seven minutes the result was put beyond doubt when Iarla Hogan set up Davy Hennessy for the third. Chris Reaney completed the scoring in the dying minutes as his side got back to winning ways after losing to Ballina Town the last time out.
Town themselves made it five wins in a row with a five-goal win over Glenhest Rovers. They led by three goals at the break as Ryan Moran hit two from the spot, with Oleg Vysochan also on target. Moran completed his hat trick after the break, while Tiernan Tighe and David Cassidy also got in on the scoring.
Elsewhere, Ballinrobe Town secured a comfortable 5-0 victory over Conn Rangers B at The Green. Connor Ryan and Sean Vahey both scored twice, with debutant Jonathon Daly also getting on the scoreboard.
At the weekend, Castlebar Celtic had another routine win as they put eight past Straide & Foxford United at Green Road. Luke Kelly continued his excellent form with a hat trick, while Paul Walsh, Eoghan Hughes, Fionn Mahon, Declan Ruane and Mark Cunningham were also on target.
Conn Rangers remain level with Celtic at the top of the table but they were made to work for the points with a 4-3 win over relegation threatened Kiltimagh Knock United. Rangers took the lead through Liam Durkin before David Smith equalised with a half-volley at the back post to leave the sides level at the break. Colm Rutledge put Rangers back in front before Jack O’Connor levelled again. Liam Durkin put Rangers in front for the third time five minutes later before Rutledge seemed to have made sure of the points with three minutes remaining. Despite Jack Concannon scoring in the final minute of injury time, Rangers held on to claim a valuable three points.
Ballyheane kept in touch with the top two sides with a 2-0 win over Manulla in Carramore, goals from Ben Edeh and Nathan-Reilly Doyle securing the win.
Claremorris ended Ballinrobe Town’s chances of promotion as two first-half goals from Jason Murphy saw them record a 2-0 win in Concannon Park. Murphy gave them the lead on 23 minutes when he headed in a corner from Lewis Lally and his second came ten minutes later when he got on the end of a cross from Mark Maloney.
Ballina Town stayed in touch with a comfortable win over Conn Rangers B at Mount Falcon. Ryan Moran, Caleb Daly and Lee Cording all scored twice, while Cian Donnelly struck the other goal for Eamon Kenny’s side.
Meanwhile, in the one game played in the Castlecourt Hotel Premier Division, Westport United B joined both Crossmolina and Conn Rangers in joint second place at the top of the table as they came from a goal down to beat Killala 3-1 at United Park.
Killala took the lead after 12 minutes when their talisman Rory Gallagher scored with a low left-foot drive from the edge of the area. The lead didn’t last long, however, as Westport hit back in their very next attack, Padraig Folan with a well-struck finish past the Killala 'keeper.
Westport took the lead just after the hour-mark when Cian Halpin found Conor Calvey with a lovely through ball and the young attacker made no mistake with a calm finish past the on-rushing 'keeper. Killala pushed in search of an equaliser but it was Westport who got the crucial third goal when Mark McNally fired home a penalty after Vinny Foy was fouled in the area.
- Report courtesy of Mayo Football League