Ballyheane remain the kings of Mayo football

BALLYHEANE joined a very exclusive club as they retained the Elverys Sports Super League crown in what was a memorable year in the Mayo Football League.

Westport United (2004 and 2005 and 2014 to 2017) and Ballina Town (2009 and 2010) were the only other sides to go back-to-back, but the green and black ensured there was a third club added to the group after they sealed the title with victory over Westport United in Pat Quigley Park in early September.

Their title win was a testament to the job that Ashley Stevenson and Joe Redmond have done with this special group of players.

It was not a smooth defence by any means. Their long unbeaten record at home was ended by Manulla at the end of March while the surprise package of the season, Kiltimagh/Knock United, blew the title race open with a stunning 3-1 victory in Ballyheane’s own backyard.

Like the champions they are, they showed their character and pulled off a brilliant comeback win away at Manulla followed by a narrow victory away to Glenhest Rovers.

Their challengers began to stumble but there appeared another way back in for them after Ballyheane were beaten by Straide & Foxford United. But the likes of Ballina Town, Westport United and Kiltimagh/Knock couldn’t take advantage, and Ballyheane marched on to win the league once again.

At the other end of the table, Ballyhaunis Town and Claremorris were relegated, with the former involved in arguably the game of the season against east Mayo neighbours KK. Despite trailing 3-0 and down to 10 men, KK rallied to win by six goals to four – and the result proved the beginning of the end for Ballyhaunis.

In the cups, Ballina Town won the Westaro Cup following a 2-0 over rivals Westport United, while the Calor Gas Super Cup final saw a classic in Milebush as Castlebar Celtic overcame Kiltimagh/Knock United on penalties 12-11 after it finished 4-4 after extra time.

Jordan Loftus was the star of the show for Celtic, scoring a hat trick and converting the decisive penalty which saw Celtic claim a record ninth Super Cup. The Hoops also remain the only team from Mayo left standing in the FAI Junior Cup, with a trip to Waterford outfit Hibernian to look forward to on January 22.

In the Castlecourt Hotel Premier Division, Crossmolina and Conn Rangers will both be playing Super League football next season. It was the year of the Cross once more and they did a league and cup double for the second season in a row, beating Moy Villa in the Tuohy Cup final.

In Killeen Sports Ground League One, Ballinrobe Town continued their ascent in Mayo football in remarkable fashion as they did the treble this season as well as go unbeaten, with Kilmore also going up as league runners-up.

They comfortably beat Hollister in the Tonra Cup final before being pushed all the way by Manulla B in the Premier Cup final, prevailing 8-7 on penalties.

A fiercely competitive McDonnell Construction League Two saw the B sides of Celtic, Ballyheane and Claremorris get promoted. Celtic B won the title after beating Conn Rangers C on the final day of the season, while Ballyheane B edged Partry Athletic 2-1 in the McDonnell Cup final.

Ballyheane lost their grip of the Under 21 League Division 1 title as Castlebar Celtic beat them on the final day of the season to claim the championship.

The two sides met again in the Under 21 Cup final, with Ballyheane ensuring there would be no double for the league champions after beating them 2-1 in the decider.

Division 2 went to a playoff and Ballina Town pipped Claremorris in extra-time to be crowned league champions.

The Under 18 leagues, played under the Mayo League banner for the first time, saw Kiltimagh/Knock United claim a historic double in winning the Premier League and their first ever Quigley Cup.

League 1 was won by Ballyheane and League 2 saw Iorras Aontaithe crowned champions.

The standard of the Under 18 league has been reflected in the FAI Youth Inter-League competition as Mayo advanced to an All-Ireland semi-final with Cork in Milebush on the weekend of January 14/15 following a 98th minute winner against Donegal a few weeks back. The game, which Mayo needed to win, finished 3-2 in Solar 21 Park.