Explosive return to Mayo Masters action despite horrendous weather conditions
IN spite of horrendous playing conditions at Solar 21 Park last week, the Westaro Masters League returned to action following the Christmas break.
The first game of the night in Division 1 on Wednesday saw Ballina Town in a ruthless mood as they put 12 goals past Kiltimagh Knock United without reply.
Town were four-nil up at the break courtesy of goals by Seamus Giblin, John Durkan (penalty), Paul Moran and Eoin McCormack, with KK unable to find a way past Kieran O’Malley, who denied them any chance of a goal.
There was no let-up from Ballina in the second half as Paul Moran fired in another four goals, John Durkan completed his hat trick, Eoin McCormack netted his second Chris Moore added one to complete the rout and saw Ballina go top of the table for the time being.
Ballinrobe Town went through the gears in the second half to see off Ballyvary Blue Bombers 7-3. Strikes by J.P. O’Gorman either side of a brace by Simon Cloherty saw the sides level at the break. Ballinrobe showed their class in the second half with goals by Brian Maloney, Pat Kelly, James Colfar, Mark Gibbons and Padraic Costello, sending them into third place in the table. Colm Kelly netted the other goal for Ballyvary.
Westport United returned to the summit after they took full advantage of defensive frailties in the Claremorris back line to win 8-4. Two goals from David Hoban and one from Joe Lawless put United in the driver's seat at the break, with Claremorris pulling one back through Gavin Brady.
Tom Burke and a David Hoban penalty put United in a commanding position again but a Danny Broderick special and another from Brady reduced the gap back to two.
Claremorris pushed forward in hope of getting level but a Mark McNally hat trick sealed the win for United, Mark Reapy netting a consolation for Claremorris late on.
In Division 3, also on Wednesday, Ballyglass B picked up their first points of the season and dealt a blow to Straide & Foxford United's title hopes in a thrilling 5-5 draw.
Goals from Chris Downey, Michael Prendergast (two) and Cormac Healy put S&F in the driver's seat, with a brace from Declan Larkin keeping Ballyglass B in touch.
Sean Walsh’s goal early in the second half looked to have seen off Ballyglass B, but Keith Bourke and Larkin ensured a tense finale and Simon Killeen struck late on for a share of the spoils.
There was also late drama between Killala and Ballinrobe Town B as Alan Murphy scored a late winner, a result which left the two sides level on points at the top of Division 3.
Two goals from Murphy in the first half, his first a brilliant curling effort into the top corner, cancelled out a brace by Ballinrobe’s James O’Malley. Keith McTigue edged Ballinrobe in front before Killala levelled it again through Mark Moyles.
With both sides chasing a winner, Murphy came up trumps seal his hat trick and a crucial three points for the north Mayo side.
The other scheduled game in Division 3 between Swinford and Ballyhaunis Town was postponed.
THRILLER
On Thursday evening, the six teams in Division Two were in action, with Ballyheane and Ballyglass having to settle for a point each in an eight-goal thriller in what was a top of the table clash.
Ballyheane kept their one-point advantage at the top of the table as Arek Tobiasz took his tally to 15 league goals with a brace, while Ashley Stevenson and Theron Coghill were also on target.
Alan Plunkett, J.P. Reilly and Kevin Feerick scored for Ballyglass, with the fourth goal being an own-goal by Ballyheane’s Padraig Mulroe.
Conn Rangers cut the gap at the top of the table with a big win over Achill Rovers as Shane Bourke scored four, Brendan McShane hit a hat trick, and James Noone and Aiden Gallagher scored twice. The Achill goals came from Martin Moran and Dan Mc as they suffered their third defeat in a row.
At the same time, Iorras Aontaithe got their first win in five games with a 6-1 victory over Castlebar Celtic. Liam Donoghue scored a brace for the north Mayo side, with the other goals coming from Mark Gilbert, David Reilly, Seamus O’Malley and goalkeeper Harry Reilly.
The pick of the goals came from O’Malley, whose exquisite chip from the halfway line past the stranded Declan Gibbons in the Celtic goal was one of real class from the Iorras man. Kevin Malone scored the consolation goal for Celtic.
There's a break from league action now as the first round of the Oliver Kelleher Masters Cup will be played tomorrow and Thursday (January 18 and 19).