Super League title race still on with three teams in the mix

MANOR Rangers finished their league campaign on a high winning 5-4 away to Merville United. Donagh Crowne opened the account for Merville on five minutes. Paul Logan restored order ten minutes later and Oran Gethins fired Manor Rangers ahead on 25minutes. Bradley Fowley levelled for Merville to leave the two sides level at the break.

The second half was minutes old when Ryan Hargadon blasted Merville into the lead and two minutes later Manor Rangers again hit back through Brian Mc Donald. The game appeared to be heading for a draw until ten minutes from time when Jordan Harte netted a cracker of a goal and Merville were again in front. Manor however were not finished and five minutes from full time Brian Mc Donald hit a forty-yard screamer into the top of the Merville net to level matters once again. Then on 90 minutes Manor Rangers were awarded a penalty. Aaron Hickey took responsibility and made no mistake from the spot. This final spot kick was the last of the goals and indeed the final league game for Manor Rangers who now lead the table on 47 points, a point ahead of both Carbury and Cartron.

Carbury have two games left away to Cliffoney and away to Ballisodare. Cartron are at home in Mac Sharry Park on Wednesday night where they play

Ballisodare Utd. A win here for Cartron will secure at least runners up spot but beware Ballisodare are in desperate need of points. Meanwhile Merville welcome Aughanagh Celtic to Maugheraboy and both sides will be very anxious to take something from this game.

Cartron have shown great form in recent games and continued in that vein hitting Aughanagh Celtic for five without reply at Ballinafad. Malachy Spratt scored four glorious goals, his first on twenty minutes, his second a minute after the restart and completed his hat trick on 52 minutes. Donal Gallagher hit the fourth goal on 65 minutes and Malachy completed his personal tally on 72 minutes hitting the fifth and final goal for a rampant Cartron. Aughanagh Celtic were awarded a penalty and Colin Feehily was sent off, Ronan Callaghan in the Cartron goals made a superb save from Daniel Willis. That kept the Cartron goal intact however Colin Feehily will now miss Cartron’s last league game against Ballisodare United on Wednesday night

Cliffoney Celtic welcomed MCR to Mullaghmore with the home side in desperate need of points to move away from the drop zone. Steve Feeney gave MCR the lead on 25 minutes and Cliffoney Celtic were level ten minutes later from the penalty spot taken and dispatched by Michael O

Hanlon. Seven minutes into the second half Kevin Gavigan rifled home to give Cliffoney Celtic the lead and a minute later Darragh Hoey had Cliffoney in a 3-1 lead. MCR hit back twenty minutes from time when Kaillum Burns netted and the sides were level once again six minutes later when Stephen Hallahan scored from the penalty spot.

However, MCR ‘s joy was short lived when Gavigan struck to give Cliffoney the lead before Darragh Hoey sealed the points with yet another superb strike. The sides meet again Wednesday night at Sean Fallon Park when MCR will have the services of Keith Nibbs but Cliffoney on form pack a great punch so it’s all to play for.

League leaders and reigning Champions Carbury looked a banker on Wednesday night in their encounter with Merville United at Forthill.

Merville were not in the least bit intimidated and on four minutes Ryan Hargadon had Merville in front. Merville had their tails up and eleven minutes later Daniel Kilcullen hammered home goal number two against a shell shocked Carbury. Merville poured more misery on their opponents twelve minutes from the break when Jordan Muldoon rifled home the third goal that left Merville coasting. The second half was a tame affair with the home side containing anything Carbury had to fire at them but make no mistake about this was a great result for Merville United and keeps the pot boiling at the top of the table.

Manor Rangers kept themselves in contention with a fine home at the Bee Park Manorhamilton against Strand Celtic.

Manor took the lead from a corner in the very first minute from a brilliant Seamus Ryder header. Strand equalized with a superb strike from Luke Mc Guinn. And Mc Guinn nearly had a second but his effort was superbly saved by Paul Scanlon in the manor goals. Manor went in front before half time with another goal from a corner with a close-range header from Oran Gethin’s making his first appearance for the Senior side.

The second half was end to end. Strand went close through Mc Guinn again. At the other end Donagh Flynn cleared a goal bound shot off the line.

Manor went three up when Oran Gethins completed his hat trick to mark a brilliant debut. Niall McDermott hit the bar for strand. With ten to go Strand pulled one back with a late penalty taken by Strand keeper Cian Basquille. Strand now in fourth place having completed their league campaign.

Cartron United continued their devastating form this time winning well, away to Cliffoney Celtic. Cliffoney Celtic hit the front first on 18 minutes with Donal Gallagher levelling for Cartron nine minutes from the break.

The second half was all Cartron and on 47 minutes Ryan Lynch put them ahead and two minutes later Cartron were coasting with a sublime effort from Donal Gallagher for his second and Cartron’s third goal. Malachy Spratt put the icing on the cake eleven minutes from full time when he rattled the back of the Cliffoney Celtic onion bag. This result has Cartron in third place and a win away to Aughanagh Celtic on Sunday could see them in a very threatening position for honours.

MCR were away to Ballisodare knowing a good result would leave them safe. Ballisodare on the other hand could ill afford any hiccups. Stephen Fallon had the home side ahead on 16 minutes and MCR drew level five minutes from the break with a fine strike from Darren Somers. The second half was a lively affair with Gary Mc Cartney giving MCR the lead on 65 minutes and Ballisodare replied ten minutes later courtesy of Darragh Healy.. Then three minutes from time the ever alert Alieu Manoh Sesay worked his way in between the two central defenders to crack home a glorious winner. MCR will travel to Cliffoney on Sunday.