Gurteen are still leading the race for silverware

THE WEEKS are flying by and Gurteen Celtic continue to lead the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League. The leaders’ latest win was a 2-1 defeat of St John’s FC at the facilities of Boyle Celtic last Sunday.

An early goal from Eoghan Nerney gave Gurteen a headstart and, having led 1-0 at halftime, the title contenders doubled their advantage when teenager Conor Dwyer scored after 68 minutes.

Two minutes later second from bottom St John’s pulled a goal back – Leon Clancy on target – and it remained at 2-1.

Gurteen, who have won 13 of their 16 games, are five points clear of second-placed Cartron United. Cartron were 4-0 winners over Ballymote at MacSharry Park last Friday night.

Cartron were well on their way to three points by the interval as they were 3-0 in front. Their first-half goals came from Steven Patton, Josh Gilligan and Enda McGowan. The result was completed in second-half stoppage time when Donal Gallagher found the net.

Back in third place are champions MCR FC, who weren’t in action last weekend. MCR are three points behind Cartron and eight points off Gurteen’s current total but the Sligo town side have two games in hand.

Former kingpins Carbury, who are fourth, won again to keep alive their slim silverware hopes. They were 1-0 winners against Calry Bohs at MacSharry Park on Saturday night. The game’s only goal came after 57 minutes when Malachy Spratt scored.

Carbury had to finish the game with 10 players because of an 85th minute red card for Ibrahim Savage.

With nine points separating Gurteen and Carbury, the latter know that only a flawless series of results from now on will put them in the title race. Carbury have played three games fewer than the top two.

Elsewhere in the top flight there were massive wins for Strand Celtic and Arrow Harps last Sunday. Strand won 9-1 against Glenview Stars at O’Boyle Park, Forthill. Aaron O’Boyle and Leo Doherty each scored a hat-trick, with Dylan Martin (2) and Dylan Gray Harrigan also