Majority of Mayo League teams advance in round one of FAI Junior Cup

THE opening round of the FAI Junior Cup saw a mostly good day for Mayo League sides with the majority of the big guns advancing to the next round of the competition.

Ben Edeh struck twice as Mayo Super League champions Ballyheane got themselves up and running with a 2-0 victory away to Sligo's Calry Bohemians.

There was a goalfest in Ballaghaderreen as Castlebar Celtic hit five in the win against Ballaghaderreen FC. The hosts took an early lead but two goals each from Johnny Cocozza and Jason Hunt, and one from James Basquille, ensured safe progress.

Conn Rangers, who will be playing Super League football next season, also moved to the next stage with a 4-2 win over Moore United at Mount Falcon, with goals coming from Aidan Gallagher (two), Lorcan Towey and Colm Ruttledge.

One Mayo team that fell at the first hurdle was Kiltimagh/Knock United who despite seeing Jack O'Connor score a hattrick, they exited the competition following a thrilling 5-3 defeat to last season's Connacht Cup runners-up Ballinasloe Town.

Gerry Canavan made his return to Manulla with a goal but it was teammate Darragh Byrne who stole the headlines with a hat trick as Manulla defeated Cloonfad Utd 4-2 while Ballina also safely advanced with a 7-1 win over Claremorris on Sunday morning in an all-Mayo affair.

*You can read our full match report of Ballina Town v Claremorris in tomorrow's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph.