Kiltimagh/Knock look favourites for top flight return

With all adult amateur soccer on hiatus across the county and further beyond on hiatus under the new government restrictions, The Connaught Telegraph is reviewing each of the Mayo Football League divisions so far. Up next is The Castlecourt Hotel Premier League.

By Stuart Tynan

LIKE Leagues One and Two, the Premier League has been an incredibly competitive affair. But with only one round of games remaining before the league is split into two groups of five, the table now begins to take shape.

Kiltimagh/Knock United look well on their way back to Mayo's top flight following their relegation from the Super League in 2018, with Conn Rangers and Straide & Foxford United not far away. As things stand, Ballina Town B and Westport United B occupy the other two spots. With B teams not allowed get promoted to the Super League, it looks like a three-way battle between Kiltimagh/Knock, Rangers and S&F to decide those two coveted promotion spots and we now take a look at each of them.

KILTIMAGH/KNOCK UNITED

CURRENT POSITION: 1ST

POINTS: 19

GAMES PLAYED: 8

WON: 6

DRAWN: 1

LOST: 1

SCORED: 25

CONCEDED: 4

TOP SCORER: DARRAGH HANLON and DYLAN WEBB (SEVEN)

With a near-impenetrable defence and the likes of Darragh Hanlon and Dylan Webb doing the damage at the other end, Kiltimagh/Knock look well on their way to at least seal promotion back to the Super League

Confidence was in low supply going into the league, having suffered back-to-back exits in the Premier Cup and TP Brennan Connaught Shield. But in a sign of things to come, they put a tough few weeks behind them as they secured a 2-0 win over Fahy Rovers, a team they lost to home and away last year.

They suffered their solitary league defeat to date so far in crazy game against Iorras Aontaithe, a game they led on two occasions but a hat trick by Kyle O'Reilly and two late goals by Dylan Walker condemned the east Mayo outfit to a 5-4 loss.

Since that though, Kiltimagh/Knock have been nothing short of perfect, failing to concede in any of their fixtures. They have enjoyed comprehensive wins over Snugboro United (3-0), Ballina Town B (7-0), Westport United B (3-0), Killala (4-0) and a massive 2-0 win over title rivals Conn Rangers. Their only points dropped was during a goalless draw away from home against Manulla B.

Their next scheduled game was away to Straide & Foxford before the cessation of the junior game. A win over another of their title rivals would surely put Giles McDonagh's side in pole position for a promotion spot and the title.

CONN RANGERS

CURRENT POSITION: 2ND

POINTS: 18

GAMES PLAYED: 8

WON: 6

DRAWN: 0

LOST: 2

SCORED: 11

CONCEDED: 7

TOP SCORER: OWEN MCNAMARA (THREE)

Last season's Calor Gas Premier Cup champions have been building nicely over the past number of years and were widely tipped to be fighting for the title as well as promotion.

They showed their credentials from the get-go in winning their first four games, recording 2-1 wins over Westport United B and Killala and recorded their first clean sheets of the season in respective wins over Manulla B (gaining a small degree of revenge for their elimination from the Premier Cup at their hands) and Snugboro Utd.

Their 100% start came to end at the hands of local rivals Straide & Foxford through a second half free kick from Conor Sherry. They showed their fighting qualities in hard-fought 2-1 victories over Fahy Rovers and Iorras Aontaithe but their title aspirations suffered another blow following a defeat away to Kiltimagh/Knock.

Scoring goals has been an issue for the north Mayo club, with Owen McNamara as the side's top scorer on three goals. While defensively they look the part, they could be dragged into a battle with their rivals down the road for that last promotion spot should they fail become more ruthless in front of goal.

STRAIDE & FOXFORD UNITED

CURRENT POSITION: 3RD

POINTS: 15

GAMES PLAYED: 8

WON: 5

DRAWN: 0

LOST: 3

SCORED: 26

CONCEDED: 12

TOP SCORER: KIERAN SMYTH (NINE)

Aiden Flatley’s side suffered a heartbreaking relegation play-off loss to Ballyhaunis Town to send them down to the Premier League for the first time in .

Their poor form from last year continued into this season as they lost their opening three games to last season's Premier League champions Ballina Town B (2-4) and also to the two promoted sides from League One, Westport United B and Killala, both on a scoreline of two goals to one.

They rediscovered their magic touch as they would win their next five games on the spin, scoring 24 goals along the way. They got their first win on the board with a comprehensive 5-1 win at home against Manulla B and Conor Sharry's second half free kick game them a huge away win over their rivals up the road Conn Rangers.

They continued their climb up the table with a 3-1 victory over Snugboro United in Edward Conway Park and consolidated their position in the top half of the table as they put five goals past Fahy Rovers. In the last game before the hiatus, they recorded a thumping 8-2 win over Iorras Aontaithe, with Michael Smyth scoring four.

Their next game at hope before the split will be their biggest of the season, with Kiltimagh/Knock coming to Green Road. Their position in the top five will be safe with a win, and it could also not just consolidate their push for promotion, but also insert them into title contention.

CHASING PACK

As mentioned, Ballina Town B and Westport United B cannot be promoted and the three sides above will be hoping that they secure the final two top five positions. Their last fixtures before the split are Conn Rangers and Manulla B. Interestingly, a win for Rangers could see Iorras Aontaithe clinch that last top five spot should they win on the road against Fahy Rovers. Iorras have been out of the Super League since being relegated in 2017 and with the exception of a hammering at the hands of Straide & Foxford they have shown to be capable of competing with the best in the division, being the only side to beat Kiltimagh/Knock.

RELEGATION FEARS

It has been a very tough campaign so far for Aaron Curry's Snugboro United. They were relegated from the Super League last season and have blooded many young players into their side. But results haven't been kind and they are the only side without a win in the league so far. But a victory over Killala in their next game could set them up for the rest of the season, considering there is only four points separating seventh from bottom.

Killala, Manulla B and Fahy Rovers are also all hoping to avoid the drop. Fahy Rovers have the most solid defence out of them all. Goals have been an issue but a 5-0 win over Snugboro will inspire confidence they can avoid the drop.

Manulla haven't won a game since the opening day and will also need to improve in front, with the worst record in the division in terms of goals scored while Killala, last year's TP Brennan Connaught shield champions, have been on the back of some heavy defeats in recent week, but know a victory over Snugboro in their next game could give them breathing space.

*Next week, in the last of our Mayo League reviews, we will look at the Elvery Sports Super League, starting with the relegation battle.