Junior soccer gets underway

FIVE clubs lead the way in the Great Southern Hotel Sligo Super League, all clocking up impressive wins on the opening weekend. Arrow Harps signalled their intent for honours this season winning impressively against Calry Bohs at Hazelwood.

Daniel Willis hitting a superb hat trick and a cracker of a fourth from Anthony Elding. Calry Bohs showed tremendous fighting spirit with a goal each from Aaron Flynn and current international Conor Griffin giving them a sound foundation to build on.

Ballisodare United welcomed young gun Ruadhan Feeney into the squad and he duly obliged with an excellent brace of goals. Andrew Patton added a third at home to visitors Manor Rangers who had Gary Hickey dismissed by referee Tomas Oates in the second half. Nelo Ramos scored a late consolation goal for the Leitrim kingpins.

Ballymote Celtic put on a powerful display at Brother Walfrid Park against visitors St John’s. Robbie Flannery opened the account for Ballymote on five minutes and St John’s drew level fifteen minutes later with Keith Lynch firing home from the penalty spot. Mark the Hitman Irwin restored order on the stroke of half time with the first of his four goals.

The second half was ten minutes old when Jack Hever netted the third for Ballymote and five minutes later Mark Irwin made it four. St John’s battled gamely and were rewarded on seventy minutes with a fine strike from Darren Brennan.

But Ballymote then moved up the gears with Mark Irwin netting twice more and a goal each for good measure from Colin Byrne and Daniel Clarke made it a great day at the office for Ballymote Celtic.

Carbury made the difficult trip to Castlebaldwin to take on Aughanagh Celtic. The current league champions knew they would have a fight on their hands and so it proved.

A Kieran Brick goal gave the edge to Carbury at the interval and on 60 minutes Stephen Feeney hit the killer goal that gave Carbury all three points in a great game. But on this display not many clubs will leave Aughanagh this season with three points.

Newly promoted Ballygawley Celtic travelled to Strandhill for their first Super League encounter and went down by the odd goal in three to Strand Celtic.

Matthew Conlon Oates gave Strand the lead and Kyle Carty levelled affairs for Ballygawley Celtic to leave both sides level after 45 minutes.

The game changer arrived on 60 minutes with Cian Conway firing home a glorious winner for a jubilant Strand Celtic.

Ballygawley Celtic on this display will enjoy the Super League challenge.

The Andrew Mullens Sligo Pallets Premier League has a similar table configuration with five clubs all in top form that included three home wins. Glenview Stars will feel hard done by at the Institute of Technology Sligo.

They were holding Cartron United well into injury time when up popped Kevin Buckley with a dramatic late winner that secured all three points for the Cartron Boys.

Cliffoney Celtic went on a goal spree at home to Dromore Villa hitting eight goals Chris Mc Loughlin and Niall Sheerin with two goals each, aided and abetted with a goal each from Bartley Clancy ,Niall Thomas, Diarmuid Gallagher and Alan Harrison.

The Villa replied with a gaol each from Stephen Feeney and Thomas Kelly.

Coolaney United hit Gurteen Celtic for seven without reply Joe Kilcullen grabbing a hat trick with two each from Paul Baker and Ciaran Mc Murray doing the damage.

MCR won by the odd goal in three away to Chaffpool United. Ex Junior International Keith Nibbs opened the scoring for MCR. Chaffpool hit back with a fine goal from Hughie Marren and it was nip and tuck all the way.

However on 75 minutes, referee Stephen Mc Garry awarded a hotly disputed penalty to MCR that Stephen Hallahan dispatched and as they say the rest is history.

Merville United another team in blistering form welcomed Real Tubber to Maugheraboy and hit them for seven without reply. Ryan McManus leading the way with a fine hat trick. Graham Irwin added two more and a gaol each from Ryan Hargadon and Donagh Crowne sealed all three points for a rampant Merville United. Disciplinary:

Red Cards: Gary Hickey Manor Rangers and Daniel Kelly Glenview Stars each player fined €30 and suspended for next game. Pending Match Officials reports further disciplinary actions may be taken. Registrations & Fees:

The league will be reviewing all registrations and fees this coming week any club with Registrations or fees not in order will forfeit any points won and will also incur disciplinary action including fines this is non-negotiable. Oscar Traynor Squad Training: Oscar Traynor Team Manager and his staff will conduct training next Friday night at 8pm sharp at the Ray Mac Sharry Complex Cranmore Road Sligo.

All players will be contacted by John and training is in preparation for our away game to the Inishowen League on Sunday the 24th Sept.

The league has a limited number of seats on the Team Coach for this game and we would like to invite any League manager(s) who like to attend to give an expression of interest to me Noel M Kennedy 087 2586003 noelmkennedysligo@gmail.com as soon as possible.

First preference will go to clubs who have players involved in the squad and have expressed an interest in travelling.