Leaders are unnerved by a 3-0 loss as rivals profit

GURTEEN Celtic, longtime leaders of this season’s Sligo Southern Hotel Super League, suffered a 3-0 loss to Calry Bohs at MacSharry Park on Sunday last.

This result – Gurteen’s third defeat in 19 games – could yet prove detrimental as they bid to add the top tier title to last year’s Premier League success.

On target for Calry Bohs, who led 2-0 at halftime, were Eoin Nicholson, Ivan Paramonov and Bryan Lynch. This was a ninth victory of the campaign for Calry Bohs.

With five games left Gurteen remain six points clear of second-placed Carbury FC, but the former champions have four games in hand.

Carbury, who are now second in the standings, turned up the heat on the leaders when beating their Sligo town rivals Glenview Stars 6-4 at MacSharry Park.

This was a contender for game of the season. Glenview were 4-2 up at half-time thanks to firsthalf goals from David Lynch, Jake Drewe, Sean Condron and Lucas Sosa. Carbury’s goalscorers in the first period were Malachy Spratt and James Heraghty.

The title contenders found their groove in the second period and scored four goals without reply for their 13th win in 15 games. Ryan McManus was the winners’ hero – he bagged a hat-trick – and Malachy Spratt scored his second goal of the day.

Also in last Sunday’s top flight, defending champions MCR FC won 4-1 at home against Arrow Harps. All five of the game’s goals came in the second-half after an even first-half. Goals from Donagh Crowne and Keith Nibbs, who converted a penalty, had MCR 2-0 up with half an

Played on Friday, April 19

QUARTER-FINAL: Coolaney United 3, Benbulben FC 0

FIRST ROUND: Glenview Stars v Manor Rangers (6.45pm) (G Gilmartin)

QUARTER-FINALS: Gurteen Celtic v St John’s FC (6.45pm) (P McLoughlin); MCR FC v Calry Bohs (6.45pm) (R Zoschke)

THE saw quarter-final wins for Ballisodare United on Thursday last and Coolaney United the following day, Friday.

Ballisodare United won 2-0 at home against Ballygawley Celtic. Paul Scanlon’s 18th minute goal – he scored direct from a corner – gave the hosts a 1-0 lead.

This advantage was doubled in the second-half by Darragh Healy, who converted a spot-kick after 70 minutes.

Last Friday saw Coolaney United defeat Benbulben FC 3-0. Coolaney, the home side, took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to Michael Mulvey’s first-half goal.

A goal after 69 minutes from Conor Matthews put Coolaney in control and their progress to the semi-finals was wrapped up in stoppage time when Declan McCormack scored from a rebound after Corey Scanlon’s shot was saved.