Carbury and St John’s entertain
CARBURY once again lead the way at the break in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League but what a game they had with the young guns of St Johns on Friday night at the Astro in Cleveragh. Conor Brennan fired St Johns into the lead on ten minutes and Carbury levelled twenty minutes later courtesy of Gary Armstrong. Carbury hit the front ten minutes later with a goal from Ryan Norris and just before the break Gary Armstrong netted again to leave Carbury in a very strong position.
St Johns struck five minutes into the second half courtesy of a cracker from Keith Lynch and then on sixty minutes Matthew Oates hit a screamer and it was level pegging. Carbury started moving up through the gears and once again it was Gary Armstrong doing the damage and netting his hat trick giving his side some breathing space. St Johns went all out for that elusive equaliser but ten minutes from time it was Ryan McManus wrapping up the points for Carbury with a sublime effort. Carbury had the class and the firepower but full credit to a gallant and talented St Johns for a great display with more to come.
Cartron hold tight to second place on the leader board. They journeyed to the seaside for this encounter with Strand Celtic. Both sides were scoreless at the break. Cartron opened their account on seventy minutes when Donal Gallagher rifled home a fine goal. Cartron were well in control and with five minutes remaining Donal Gallagher with a brilliant overhead kick scored his second goal that insured all three points for Cartron United.
Manor Rangers are hot on the trail of the leaders and carried out a demolition job on Glenview Stars at Forthill. The main architect here leading scorer Robbie Cunningham hitting four goals aided and abetted with a goal each from Seamus Ryder, Paul Logan, Paddy Woulfe, Anthony McDonald, Diarmuid Giblin and Shane Walsh. Stars replied with token efforts from Cole Coyle and Dylan Martyn.
MCR under caretaker manager Gary Funston hosted rivals Merville United at Sean Fallon Park Cranmore Road. Merville roared into a half time lead of three goals to nil with strikes from Donagh Crowne, Daniel Kilcullen and a penalty from Jordan Muldoon. It looked all over but whatever caretaker manager Gary Funston said at the break had the desired effect. Minutes into the second half and Junior International Keith Nibbs scored from the penalty spot and ten minutes later he had his second goal and it was game on. An inspired substitution released Ciaran Harvey into the game and he delivered in spades, netting a hat trick that saw MCR snatch an amazing victory from the jaws of defeat.
Cliffoney Celtic moved their fixture to the Astro at Ballisodare and it proved a rewarding one with the North Sligo outfit emerging winners by the odd goal in five. Both sides were level at half time with Adam Grace giving Ballisodare United the lead on twenty minutes and fourteen minutes later Gary O’Connor levelled for Cliffoney Celtic.
Ballisodare went ahead on sixty minutes with a fine goal well executed by Roland Anderson but Cliffoney Celtic levelled the game with sixteen minutes remaining when Michael O’Hanlon powered home. Then ten minutes from time Cliffoney Celtic were awarded a penalty and up stepped Diarmuid Gallagher to take responsibility. Diarmuid made no mistake firing high into the Ballisodare net and wrapping up all three points for a jubilant Cliffoney Celtic.
South Sligo High Flyers Real Tubber continue to dominate in the Sligo Pallets Premier League with a big win away to Yeats United at Danny McGinley Memorial Park Carney.
Both sides started well and it was even pegging until the eighteenth minute when Real Tubber broke forward, Yeats United net minder Keelan Carty in a brave attempt to avert a certain goal took down the player resulting in him been dismissed and Real Tubber getting the penalty kick.
Sean Kerrigan netted the first of his four goals from the spot along with strikes from James Dwyer, Matthew Mulhern, Oisín Gorman and Luke Byrne.
In fairness to Yeats they had a mountain to climb once they lost their keeper and Real Tubber have the firepower this season and yet Yeats still managed a couple of goals against the odds. Darragh
Gaule and Sam Carton getting a goal apiece.
Second placed Ballymote Celtic had an afternoon kick off away to Calry Bohs at Hazelwood. A win would keep Ballymote Celtic well in the hunt while three points for Calry Bohs would bring them right back in contention so it was all to play for.
This game lived up to all the hype, Ballymote Celtic hitting the front after five minutes with a Zak O’Dowd special and seven minutes later Calry Bohs replied with a great effort from Aaron Flynn.
On thirty minutes leading scorer the hitman Mark Irwin restored order putting Ballymote ahead and bringing his league goal tally to fifteen.
But jubilation was a short-lived affair when two minutes later Mamoud Mansaray hit a rocket of an equaliser that brings his league tally to twelve.
Both sides were evenly matched and it looked a share of the spoils was on the cards until ten minutes from time when once again Zak O’Dowd was on hand to hit a glorious winner for Ballymote
Celtic that sees them in second spot just five points behind the leaders Real Tubber but Ballymote Celtic have three games in hand exciting times ahead.
Arrow Harps went down by two goals to nil away to a rejuvenated Coolaney United.
Conor McCormack scored both goals for Coolaney United, the first a minute from half time and the clincher on sixty-five minutes.
Carrick Town went down by the odd goal in seven away to Ballygawley Celtic played at the new Astro in Dromahair.
Shane Beirne, Ryan Duarte and Conor McGoldrick on the mark for the Town. Unfortunately, no scorers for Ballygawley Celtic despite their best efforts.
Chaffpool United and Gurteen Celtic was postponed as both pitches were unplayable. Sympathies:
The league management committee and affiliates extend their sincere sympathies to the McCullagh family and friends on the passing of Eddie McCullagh Teesan Co Sligo.
May he Rest in Peace.