Sligo/Leitrim leagues kick-off this weekend
THE 2018/19 Sligo/Leitrim district soccer leagues get underway this Sunday with eight games up for decision on the opening weekend.
Great Southern Hotel Super League champions Carbury’s involvement in this year’s inaugural CFA Summa Sports Cup Final means their hotly anticipated Super League opener against Sligo Pallets Premier League holders MCR has been postponed.
However, there will still be plenty of interest around the opening weekend with two new clubs, Tireragh FC, who encompass the west Sligo area and Riverstown Masters taking part in their maiden games.
Carbury strolled to success in last year’s Super League with 14 points to spare. But Manor Rangers and Strand Celtic will be expected to push them further this season.
The Leitrim side begin their season away to Ballisodare United, while Strand must wait until the following week to get underway when they host Ballymote Celtic.
Ballymote themselves will look to begin the new season on a high as they take on Calry Bohs.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Merville, also promoted from last year’s Premier League, will entertain Aughanagh Celtic.
In the Premier League, there are debut outings for Tireragh who travel to Carraroe to take on St John’s.
While Riverstown Masters have a walkover following NFC Academy’s withdrawal from the league.
Chaffpool United take on Cliffoney Celtic, Gurteen Celtic travel north to Benbulben, Real Tubber go up against Cartron United and there’s a south Sligo derby in store as Arrow Harps welcome Coolaney United to Riverstown.
All games get underway at 11am.
Speaking to the Sligo Champion, secretary of the Sligo/Leitrim leagues Noel Kennedy said he is looking forward to a competitive season.
“Carbury will be hot favourites to retain their Super League, of course”, he says. “But there are plenty of teams who can catch them.
“Anyone can beat anyone and I expect the likes of Manor and Strand to give it a real go this year.
“In the Premier League, Riverstown Masters have the likes of Johnny Kenny and Anthony Elding involved.
“They’ll have players who have plenty of experience. So they’re a great addition, while St John’s, Chaffpool and Real Tubber will be strong.”
Noel noted his disappointment following the news that Joseph Ndo’s NFC Academy had recently pulled out of the competition, but said the Sligo Rovers legend would be a welcome addition to any local league in the future.
“Joey is committed to a certain standard and wanted an opportunity to develop players. Unfortunately it didn’t work out, but we would welcome a World Cup player back on board at any time.”
All junior and youth leagues will switch to a summer football calendar in 2020, meaning the 2019/2020 season could be shortened to accommodate the shift.
“Nothing has been decided yet but it looks likely that we’ll switch to calendar year football.
“Maybe a March to October season”, Noel commented.
“Football is about players and if we can make it easier for them by playing on better pitches, all the better as we will also develop better players I think.
It’s an FAI decision so as soon as we know, we’ll be informing the clubs straight away.” CARBURY were crowned the Cleary Landscapes & Pitch Maintenance Cup champions on Friday night as they were comfortable 3-0 winners over MCR at the Showgrounds on Friday.
John Feeney’s side had the bulk of the possession early on, and took the lead with 25 minutes on the clock. Ibra Savage’s cross from the right was nodded past Tony Clarke in the MCR goal by the dangerous Gary Finan.
As the second-half kicked off, MCR went on in search of an equaliser, which proved to be elusive with Keith Nibbs firing well over before he played in Ryan McManus minutes later, but the former Sligo Rovers man was adjudged to be just off.
Whatever chance MCR had at 1-0 down, their hopes of coming back into the game were dashed when Carbury extended their lead on 54 minutes as David Adams cut back for Gareth Kelly to slot past Tony Clarke for 2-0.
To their credit, MCR threw the kitchen sink at it but were frustrated at times, with Ryan McManus’ audacious effort on 71 minutes flying well over the target.
It could well have been 3-0 to Carbury on 73 minutes when Savage flew down the right hand side and while he could have crossed, he pulled it back for Niall Brennan whose shot was just over the bar.
The Brennan brothers combined on 86 minutes when Gerry spotted the run of Niall, but the latter took too big a touch with Clarke in the MCR goals well positioned to halt the move.
In injury time, Carbury sealed the victory on the counter as substitute Gary Armstrong picked up the ball on the half-way line from a Colm Jinks clearance before driving forward and just rounding the MCR goalkeeper to make it 3-0 at the death.
Carbury: Mark Rooney, Neal McKenna, Aaron Murren, Colm Jinks, Steve Feeney, David Adams (Gary Armstrong, 72), Gary Finan (Gerry Brennan, 82), Ross McLoughlin (Daniel Smith, 74), Ibrahim Savage, Gareth Kelly, Niall Brennan (Keelan Kennoy, 88).
MCR: Tony Clarke, Colin McTiernan, Cillian Sweeney, Gary Rooney (John McLoughlin, 85), Hayden Cawley (Paul Devins, 85), Steven Armstrong, Wayne Conway (Darren Sommers, 65), Paul Lynch (Paul Flannigan, 89), Keith Nibbs, Ryan McManus, Ciaran Harvey.
Referee: Paul Kilcoyne