MCR cruise past Ballisodare
MCR top the table in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League when they welcomed the young guns of Ballisodare United to Sean Fallon Park for this exciting clash.
Ryan McManus opened the scoring for MCR and Darren Somers added the second, before Ballisodare responded with a strike from Stephen Fallon that saw MCR just ahead at the break.
The second half saw MCR shift through the gears with Junior International Keith Nibbs bagging a hat trick while Ryan McManus and Darren Somers each scored again to leave MCR out of sight. Ballisodare scored once more through Darragh Healy but in fairness they had a mountain to climb after Thomas Oates dismissed Stephen Fallon.
The seasiders, Strand Celtic entertained Ballymote Celtic at sunny Strandhill in what proved a high scoring encounter for Strand. Declan Brennan lead the way with a superb hat trick with a goal each from Junior International Conor Griffin and Eoin Nicholson with Fergal O’Hara adding the sixth goal for a back to form Strand Celtic. This result now has the seasiders in third place while Ballymote are seventh on the league table. Despite this loss Ballymote did score once, a brilliant free kick from the evergreen Brendan Lowry who has now scored in his last three games.
Cartron United still remain the only unbeaten side in the Andrew Mullen Sligo Pallets Premier league. They hosted St John’s FC at the Ray MacSharry Park and boy did St Johns run them close. Both defences were in superb form and it was ten minutes to the break when Donal Gallagher pounced to give Cartron United the lead.
The second half was nip and tuck and St Johns struck on 61 minutes with Keith Lynch rifling home the equaliser. Cartron stayed composed and eleven minutes later up stepped the match winner John Harte with a glorious finish that in the end captured all three points for the league leaders. This is yet another splendid result for the Cartron Boys, but St Johns will have taken a lot of encouragement from this display and are really coming back into top form.
Riverstown’s Arrow Harps were at home to Chaffpool United and they took no prisoners in this encounter. The first half was a very tight affair with Arrow Harps ahead by one goal courtesy of Daniel Willis.
However, the second half proved an entirely different game. Daniel Willis adding his second goal, James Mackey cracking home two goals, with a goal each from Liam Touhy, Oisín Gilmartin and Ciaran Kilfeather rounding off the scoring for Arrow Harps. Paul Connolly scored both of the goals for the Pool but once again the second half proved difficult for them.
Arrow Harps are right back in the hunt for silverware they are just three points behind the league leaders and all to play for. Coolaney United bounced back to winning ways on their trip to Tireragh winning by the odd goal in five. Hero of the day was man -of-the-match Cathal Davey who netted a hat trick that also puts him the leading scorer with eleven goals already to his credit.
Tireragh despite the loss played extremely well Stephen Feeney scoring again bring his tally to seven, while Peter Buckley added a second in a close but ill-tempered encounter.
Coolaney United had Declan McCormack sent off, while Tireragh went one better having Keith Duffy and Kenneth Caffrey dismissed by referee John Griffin.
The clash of the North Sligo giants saw Cliffoney Celtic at home to neighbours Benbulben FC in this local derby.
Cliffoney Celtic struck early on eleven minutes with the ever-alert Alan Harrison drilling home the opening goal. Benbulben continued to play an open attacking game but it was Cliffoney who scored again ten minutes from half time when Brian O’Connor
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reacted the quickest firing home what proved to be the final score in a highly entertaining game.
In the FAI New Balance Junior Cup 3rd Round Manor Rangers were at home in the Bee Park Manorhamilton to Glenview Stars. The first half was a tight affair Seamus Ryder opened the scoring after three minutes for Manor Rangers. Glenview Stars kept their composure and should have levelled midway through the first half. But Anthony Johnston’s poorly struck penalty was easily saved by Paul Scanlon in the Manor goals. Just on the stroke of half time Ciaran McLoughlin in attempting to head clear the danger saw his header hit the back of his own net and it was level pegging.
Manor increased their tempo in the second half, Seamus Ryder netting his second goal aided and abetted with a goal each from Luke Tansey and Shane Walsh. Manor now advance to the fourth round of the NB FAI New Balance Junior Cup.
Carbury also advance having hit Roscommon side Moore United for five without reply at Sean Fallon Park Cranmore. Gareth Kelly started the ball rolling four minutes into the game, and Gary Armstrong made it two nil just before the break. The second half Gary Finan hitting the back of the net and Gary Armstrong netted another goal to leave Carbury coasting.
But the best was held till last when Aaron Murren lobbed the Moore United keeper from all of thirty yards that wrapped it up for Carbury.
Merville United journeyed to C P Ajax of Roscommon and enjoyed a great day hitting five goals while keeping their goals intact.
Hero of the day was hat trick king Kyle Cawley with a goal each from Nathan Rooney and Malachy Spratt insuring a great win for manager Darren Kelly and his squad.
The only faller were Real Tubber who crashed out eight goals to nil away to High Flyers Castlerea Celtic.