Carbury are champions
CARBURY FC are Sligo Southern Hotel Super League Champions winning the title in style.
They dropped only one point in the process, that was away to Leitrim Kingpins Manor Rangers on the 29th April when they drew 3-3.
Carbury are right now having a fantastic season and they scored six goals on Friday night at home to Arrow Harps in Sean Fallon Park with a hat trick from the Gareth Kelly - bringing his tally to 24, seeing him win the Ej’s leading scorer award.
Mark McGoldrick, Barry O’Mahoney and a penalty from Aaron Murrin did the damage.
That result sees Arrow Harps in the play off’s and Carbury crowned champions.
Destiny awaits Carbury on the 27th
May at the Showgrounds Sligo when they take on Mervue United in the Final of the Connacht Cup - what a season and what a team. Arrow Harps now find themselves in the playoff position for Super League survival as they await the top three finishers in the Premier League.
Ballisodare United entertained St John’s FC and hit them for five without reply - Dylan Martin, Peter Murray, Odhran Mahon, Adam Grace and a penalty from Darragh Healy saw them finish off their league campaign on a high. Ballisodare finished in fourth place on the leader board while St John’s were so unlucky to hit the relegation trapdoor.
In the Cleary Landscapes & Pitch Maintenance Division One Chaffpool United are the leaders of the pack with a convincing win away to Coolaney United.
Hughie Marren was on target with two goals along with a goal each from Kevin Gallagher and Damien Watters with James Davey netting the only goal for Coolaney United. Gurteen Celtic have withdrawn from the competition so it’s still all to play for especially next Friday night when the Pool entertain the Villa.
Sunday morning saw the Cup Semi Finals take place with clubs in the hunt for silverware. On a morning of four seasons Strand Celtic welcomed Ballymote to the seaside in the semi-finals of the Glasshouse Hotel Cup.
It was Ballymote who were first out of the blocks when Mark Irwin got on the end of a long ball and finished past Graham Lee.
On 25 minutes Strand equalised when Shay Doherty rose at the back post to score from a corner.
The two sides were level at the break but then Lee Marshall took the ball down on 55 minutes and smashed it to the top corner from 25 yards to edge Strand ahead.
Mark McCallion was introduced after 75 minutes and within two minutes he was on the scoresheet finishing from a tight angle. Aaron O’Boyle rounded off the win with a fourth goal which put a flattering result on the board in a game played in very good spirit.
Carbury, fresh from their league result on Friday night, took on a very young Ballisodare United side at Sean Fallon Park. Gareth Kelly struck once again to give Carbury the lead and Gary Finan insured victory with the second killer goal 25 minutes from time. Ballisodare United are the up and coming club of the future with such an abundance of young talent but the day and the season belongs to Carbury. Super League Champions already they now face a hard challenge against a very talented Strand Celtic next Sunday at Mac Sharry Park in what promises to be a cracker of a final in the Glasshouse Hotel Cup. Should victory fall to Carbury then they face the supremo Challenge the following Sunday at the Showgrounds when they welcome Mervue United of Galway to the final of the coveted Connacht Cup.
In the Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup Chaffpool United welcomed Glenview Stars to their semi final encounter. The Pool took the lead on 20 minutes with the brilliant Criostoir Davey rocking Stars with a stunning goal and five minutes into the second half Criostoir added his second to put the Pool firmly in the driving seat. Stars however fought back and their tenacity was rewarded on 65 minutes when Christopher McDonagh fired home giving Stars a lifeline. The clock was ticking down and it looked all over when on the stroke of full time Stars were awarded a penalty kick. Gino O Boyle stepped up to the spot knowing this was the opportunity to bring the game in to extra time but his effort went sailing over the bar and with that their chances of a cup final spot. John Scanlon and his team were jubilant and they now meet Merville United on Sunday morning the 27th May KO11am Mac Sharry Park.
Merville United were at home to North Sligo rivals Benbulben FC and they gave Merville some fight. Jamie McLoughlin was the star for Benbulben firing them into the lead with once again Ryan Mc Manus rescuing Merville with the equaliser - a screamer form 40 yards just before half time. Benbulben were unphased by this and went ahead on 60 minutes again the elusive Jamie McLoughlin scoring. Benbulben were two minutes away from a major victory when once again the brilliance of Ryan Mc Manus seen his header bring the game into extra time.
Merville upped the tempo with Jordan Harte and Conor Cox each netting a goal and a penalty from man of the match Ryan Mc Manus to claim his hat trick and wrap up their place in the final.