Plenty of twists and turns at the top of all three Mayo Masters Leagues
THE race to the top of all three divisions took plenty of twists and turns last week as the title races in the Westaro Masters League enter the final stretch.
In Division 2, Ballyglass went top of the table as they took advantage of Castlebar Celtic’s slack defending in the first half to run out 9-5 winners.
Ballyglass were 6-1 up at the break thanks to four goals from Jimmy Killeen and one each from Alan Plunkett and John Murphy. Celtic’s sole response was through Stephen Jennings.
The Hoops were much better in the second half, with Sean McHale (two), Nicky Canning and Kevin Malone among the goals, but there was no let up from Ballyglass as Killeen added a fifth, Plunkett scored a second and John Walsh got on the scoresheet.
Iorras Aontaithe moved into third after they comfortably beat Achill Rovers 9-3. Brendan Nallen, Henry Gaughan and Mark Gilbert all scored twice, with the others coming from Liam Donoghue, David Reilly and Ciaran Geraghty. Brian Gallagher, Thomas McGlynn and Dan McManamon
The other game in Division 2 between Conn Rangers and Ballyheane was postponed.
In Division 3, Ballinrobe Town B were knocked off top spot after losing 4-2 to Ballyhaunis Town. Peter Staunton put Ballinrobe B in front with a rasper from distance but two goals in each half for the east Mayo side secured a big three points.
Vladimir Gibala equalised with a great strike of his own, with follow-ups by Chris McTigue, Aiden Paul Kelly and Keith Robinson. Staunton scored a second late on for Ballinrobe B.
Their defeat allowed Straide & Foxford United the chance to go into pole position, and they did just that with a 5-2 win over Killala.
It was all-square at the break, with goals by S&F’s Sean Walsh and Michael Prendergast cancelled out by Killala duo David Cadden and Brendan McNally. The east Mayo side clicked into gear in the second half, however, as goals by Chris Downey, Cormac Healy and Pat Jordan ensured maximum points.
The final game saw Ballyglass B pick up their first win in Division 3 after defeating Swinford 8-5. Vinnie Flannery (five), John Boyle (two), Declan Larkin and Gary Heneghan scored for Ballygalss B, with Brian Sheeran, Pat McDonnell (two), Jakub Gawalkiewicz and Gary Murphy on target for Swinford.
On Thursday night, Westport United move a step closer to retaining their league title with a win over Kiltimagh/Knock United while their closest title rivals, Ballina Town, were beaten by Ballinrobe Town on the adjacent pitch.
Westport were made to work for the points by bottom of the table Kiltimagh/Knock but proved too strong in the end as they came out on top on a 7-4 scoreline. David Hoban scored another hat trick for the Covies, with the other goals coming from Stephan Stuckler (two), Shane Nallen and Mark McNally. Damien Gallagher hit a brace for KK, while Aidan Commins and Gavin Groarke were also on target for the east Mayo side.
Ballinrobe Town dented Ballina Town’s title aspirations with a 4-2 win over Mark Beattie’s side as Conor Maloney (two), James Colfar and Joey Maloney scored the goals for the south Mayo men. Eoin McCormack scored both goals for Ballina.
In the final game of the week, Ballyvary Blue Bombers beat Claremorris 5-3 to move above them in the table and more or less guaranteed their place in the division again next season.
Johnny Keaveney was the star of the show as he struck a hat trick while Kevin Mannion and Declan Neary also scored for the Bombers. The Claremorris goals came from Gerard Slatery, Gavin Brady and Darragh McHale.
Goal of the week: There were great strikes from Ballyglass B’s Vinnie Flannery, Ballyhaunis Town’s Vladimir Gibala and Jimmy Killeen of Ballyglass. The pick of the bunch was Straide & Foxford United’s Sean Walsh. A brilliant shot off the outside of his right boot.
Goalkeeper of the week: It was a big win for Ballyhaunis Town and goalkeeper Daniel Vagenkneght put in a commanding performance.
Player of the week: Vinnie Flannery made Ballyglass B tick against Swinford and secures the Player of the Week award, scoring five goals to boot.
WESTARO MASTERS LEAGUE FIXTURES
Wednesday, February 8
Division 1
Ballyvary Blue Bombers v Ballina Town (7 p.m.) [A. English]
Claremorris v Kiltimagh Knock Unitedd (8 p.m.) [A. English]
Westport United v Ballinrobe Town (9 p.m.) [A. English]
Division 2
Ballyglass v Conn Rangers (7 p.m.) [M. Walsh]
Ballyheane v Iorras Aontaithe (8 p.m.) [M. Walsh]
Castlebar Celtic v Achill Rovers (9 p.m.) [M. Walsh]
Thursday February 9
Division 3
Swinford v Ballinrobe Town B (8 p.m.) [A. Nevin]
Ballyglass B v Killala (8 p.m.) [A Sweeney]
Straide & Foxford United v Ballyhaunis Town (9 p.m. [A. Sweeney]