Rivals fail to put pressure on Gurteen
WITH Gurteen Celtic, the current leaders of the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League, not playing last week due the postponement of their scheduled meeting with Cliffoney Celtic, the chasing pack had an opportunity to increase the pressure.
But second-placed Cartron United’s 1-1 away draw with Manor Rangers means that the gap has been reduced to two points, with Gurteen having a game in hand.
After a scoreless first-half in Manorhamilton’s Bee Park, Enda McGowan’s 49th minute goal gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. This goal was cancelled out within 10 minutes when Jack Kelly scored for the hosts.
Arrow Harps, who are third in the standings, drew 1-1 with Strand Celtic last Saturday night at The Showgrounds (astroturf pitch).
When Dylan Martin scored for Strand in the 90th minute it looked as if the Strandhill side had done enough for what would have been a third win in eight games. But Arrow Harps refused to give up and they were rewarded by Darragh Kelly’s equaliser deep into stoppage time.
Champions MCR, who are fourth in the Super League table, shared the spoils with last season’s runners-up Carbury FC. It finished 1-1 at Fallon Park on Sunday last.
Malachy Spratt scored for fifth-placed Carbury after 41 minutes and Jordan Harte levelled matters for MCR with a goal in the 52nd minute. The holders are presently five points behind leaders Gurteen and have played eight games compared to Gurteen’s nine.
St John’s FC and Ballymote Celtic also shared the spoils – this was a 2-2 stalemate at MacSharry Park.
Goals from Paul Logan and Barry Cafferky had Ballymote 2-0 ahead at the break. St John’s responded in the second-half, however, and earned a point through goals from Conor Brennan and Conor Healy – the latter’s equaliser coming in stoppage time.
Elsewhere in the top flight last weekend, the meeting of Real Tubber and Calry Bohs produced a scoreless draw at MacSharry Park on Saturday night.
AUGHANAGH Celtic remain in charge of the Sligo Pallets Premier League – they were eight points clear prior to the festive break and that is the margin between them and their nearest challengers, in this case Merville United, after last weekend’s games.
The leaders won for the 12th time this season when they hammered Calry Bohs Reserves 5-1 last Sunday.
A powerful second-half put Aughanagh on course for this home victory after a relatively even opening period.
Declan Lee’s goal put the visitors in front and Aughanagh were glad that Darragh Hailstones levelled matters before the break.
Aughanagh took charge in the second period, scoring four times thanks to a hat-trick from James Kiernan and Conor Deery’s goal.
Merville United, who are second in the table and emerging as the most consistent challengers to title favourites Aughanagh, won 1-0 against Ballygawley Celtic at The Showgrounds (astroturf pitch).
Tyler Stallard netted in stoppage time – his 20th goal of an already excellent season – to give Merville their ninth win in 13 games.
Coolaney United are third – just a point behind Merville – and they maintained their push with a 2-0 defeat of Strand Celtic Reserves. Second-half goals from Tristan Guilfoyle and Sean Stenson did the trick for the home side.
Fourth-placed Benbulben FC won 5-3 away to Ballisodare United. The winners were 2-1 ahead at the break – Evan McDonald and
Daniel Watters scored. Ballisodare had opened the scoring thanks to a goal from Darragh Healy. With 60 minutes on the clock Ballisodare were leading 3-2 following two goals in the space of five minutes from
Darragh Healy and Adam Grace.
Then Benbulben stepped on the accelerator – Evan McDonald made it 3-3 and then a brace from Oisin Gilmartin wrapped up an impressive comeback from the north Sligo club.
Kilglass-Enniscrone United were on the right side of a 4-2 scoreline in a thriller at west Sligo’s Michael McGowan Park as they defeated Dromahair FC.
The hosts were 2-1 ahead at half-time thanks to goals from Christopher Doherty and Ciaran O’Dowd – in between these goals for KilglassEnniscrone there was a Dromahair goal from Jamie Conlon.
Further goals for Kilglass-Enniscrone put them 4-1 up – Oisin Finnerty and Robert Jacob were on target.
Alan Kavanagh gave Dromahair some hope when he scored their second goal but the day belonged to Kilglass-Enniscrone. This was their fourth win in 15 games. The meeting of bottom sides Valley Rovers and Carrick Town was called off.
MEANWHILE, in the Sligo Bay Lobsters Women’s League, champions Glenview Stars completed their schedule with a 1-0 defeat of Arrow Harps at MacSharry Park under lights last Friday night.
The game’s only goal – which was scored by Sarah O’Boyle in the second-half – delivered a 10th win in 11 games for unbeaten Glenview.
Arrow Harps, who needed to win in order to finish second, remain in third place, with Gurteen Celtic taking the runners-up spot in this inaugural competition.
Afterwards the trophy was presented to the delighted Glenview squad and management.
Last Friday also saw Manor Rangers defeat Valley Rovers 5-3 at Ballisodare United’s astroturf pitch. The Leitrim side led 1-0 at half-time.
On target for the winners were Vanessa Wochnik, who scored twice, Saoirse Maguire and Amy Malone. Manor also benefitted from an own goal by Jane Benson.
The Valley Rovers goalscorers included Rebecca Breheny (2) and Megan Davey. In the overall standings Manor are sixth and Valley Rovers finished eighth.
The clash of Calry Bohs and Ballisodare United was postponed – it has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Friday (MacSharry Park, 7pm).
20 The number of Premier League goals scored so far by Merville United’s Tyler Stallard.