Straide & Foxford Utd win Division 3 Mayo Masters title

Division 2 to go to the wire this week

Last Thursday nights action saw the Division 2 title race blown wide open ahead of the final round this week following some significant results on the penultimate week of action in the Westaro Masters League.

Ballyglass have their fate removed out of their hands following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Iorras Aontaithe, who now move level on points with Ballyglass. John Walsh put Ballyglass in front before Ivan Barrett equalised on the stroke of half-time. Both sides had chances to go ahead second half but Ballyglass were dealt a major blow towards the end as Anthony Killeen was sent off following a second yellow card. With the man advantage, Iorras pushed on a netted a late winner through Mark Gilbert.

The big winners were Ballyheane, who defeated Achill Rovers 6-3 and to within two points leaders of the joint leaders with a game in hand. Victory for them against Conn Rangers and Castlebar Celtic in their final two games will see them become champions.

Arek Tobiaz scored a hat trick with Sean Kelly, Theron Coghill and John Kelly also on the scoresheet. Achill’s scorers on the night were Brian Gallagher, Daniel McManamon and Michael Dara Sweeney.

The final game on the night was a cracker between Conn Rangers and Castlebar Celtic, the Hoops picking up their second win of the season in a 10-6 victory.

Nicky Canning (four), Sean McHale (three), Stephen Jennings (two) and Kevin Malone were all on target for Celtic, with Shane Bourke (four) and Aidan Gallagher the goalscorers for Conn.

Four matches took place the night before with one significant result in Division 3 earning Straide & Foxford United the League title.

In Division 1, Ballinrobe Town had a 10-2 win over Claremorris with JP O’Gorman scoring four, Joey Maloney hitting a hat-trick, Conor Maloney netting a brace and James Colfar also on target for the South Mayo side. Danny Broderick and Mark Reapy got the Claremorris goals.

In Division 3, Straide & Foxford United secured the title with a 5-3 win over their closest rivals Ballinrobe Town B. Andy Neary and John Jordan done the damage with Neary netting a hat-trick and Jordan getting the other two. Jonathan O’Boyle, Peter Staunton and Brendan Vahey scored the Ballinrobe goals.

At the same time Swinford came out in top by the odd goal in eleven with a 6-5 win over Killala. Paul Kenny and Jakub Gawalkiewicz both scored twice with John Duffy and Gary Murphy getting the other two goals while Vincent Kearney hit two for Killala and Conor McHale, Mark Moyles and Kevin Rooney also getting their names on the scoresheet.

In the final game of the night Ballyhaunis Town had a 7-3 win over Ballyglass B in a game that the result made little difference to either side. Jason Powers (three), Chris McTigue (two), Vladimir Gibala and Keith Robinson with one each scored the goals for the winners while John Boyle, Vincent Flanney and Declan Larkin were on target for Ballyglass.

Goal of the week: Michael Dara Sweeney’s goal for Achill Rovers was a sweet strike. A quick stepover followed by a rocket into the top corner.

Goalkeeper of the week: Ballyglass has their chances against Iorras but their goalkeeper John Gaughan pulled off a number of excellent stops.

Player of the week: Strong performances from Shane Bourke of Conn Rangers, Iorras Aontaithe’s Brendan Nallen and Ballyheane’s Arek Tobiaz. But Celtic’s Nicky Canning came to the fore for his side with a brilliant four goal haul.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, February 22

Westaro Masters League, Division 2

Ballyheane v Castlebar Celtic (7 p.m.) [P. Concannon]

Conn Rangers v Iorras Aontaithe (8 p.m.) [P. Concannon]

Ballyglass v Achill Rovers (9 p.m.) [P. Concannon]

Westaro Masters League, Division 3

Ballyglass B v Ballinrobe Town B (7 p.m.) [T. Cosgrove]

Killala v Ballyhaunis Town (8 p.m.) [T. Cosgrove]

Straide & Foxford United v Swinford (9 p.m.) [T. Cosgrove]

Thursday, February 23

Westaro Masters League - Division 1

Westport United v Ballyvary Blue Bombers (8 p.m.) [A. Nevin]

Kiltimagh/Knock United v Ballinrobe Town (8 p.m.) [A. Sweeney]

Claremorris v Ballina Town (9 p.m.) [A. Sweeney]