Strand remain top of the table
STRAND Celtic back after the Christmas break maintain their leadership of the Sligo Southern Super League winning away by the odd goal in three against a very impressive Aughanagh Celtic.
Strand Celtic took the lead on 25 minutes when a beautiful cross from Paul Devins was met by the head of Shane McCallion who powered home the opener for Strand.
Both sides continued to attack and it was Strand who scored their second goal on 55 minutes when Kaillum Burns was on hand at the back post to fire Strand into a two-goal lead.
Aughanagh never gave up the fight and were rewarded ten minutes from time when Seamus Kane was to react when the ball came back off the post and he slammed home a fine goal to give Aughanagh Celtic a fighting chance.
The remaining minutes were nip and tuck with the home side pressing at every opportunity but the Strand Celtic rear guard stood solid to capture all three points.
Ballymote Celtic welcomed Arrow Harps to Brother Walfrid Park in what was a high scoring game unfortunately for Arrow Harps it was Ballymote Celtic doing all the scoring five in fact.
Michael Flannery Jnr opened the account for Ballymote Celtic with a superb header and Jack Hever added a second before half time.
Ballymote Celtic upped the pace in the second half with goals from Mark Irwin, Shane Regan and Colin Byrne completing the job and taken three great points.
The Andrew Mullen Premier League had shocks all around with two of the table leaders crashing to defeat.
The biggest shock had to be eighth placed Coolaney United beating top of the table Cartron United by two goals to one at the Institute Of Technology Sligo.
Man of the Match Joe Kilcullen fired Coolaney United into a one goal lead before half time.
Cartron drew level in the second half with Sean Condron equalising from the penalty spot and a draw looked on the cards.
Three minutes from time that man Joe Kilcullen was on hand to volley home a superb winner that not alone rattled Cartron United but the Premier League.
Real Tubber welcomed joint leaders Cliffoney Celtic to the Astro at Cleveragh and were four goals ahead at the break thanks to a double strike from Matthew Mulhern, a goal from Patrick Killian and a penalty from Jack Walsh.
Cliffoney Celtic were a different team in the second half and scored through Caolan Clancy, Jason Brennan and Bartley Clancy in a seven-goal thriller that sees Real Tubber moving up the pecking order while Cliffoney are losing ground but it’s still early days.
Dark horses MCR moved into second spot on the leader board after hitting Benbulben for eight at Grange.
MCR have a very experienced side and this was evident with Junior International Keith Nibbs bagging a hat trick.
Leading scorer on a few occasions Ciaran Harvey netted once as did Gary McCartney and Andrew Tiernan while Hayden Cawley netted twice in a one-sided game with Benbulben scorer Alan McGloughlin netting the only goal for the home side.
Chaffpool United continue to make good headway with a fine victory at home to Dromore Villa.
Kevin Gallagher and Declan Walsh opened the account for the Pool with Criostóir Davey banging home a double that secured a great win for Chaffpool United. The Villa scored once with a fine effort from David Cuilkin.
In the T P Brennan Connacht Cup 3rd Round Ballygawley Celtic went down by four goals to one away to Moore United on Saturday night, Paul Flanagan scoring the only goal for Ballygawley Celtic.
Ballisodare United’s game was postponed so they will now play Mayo side Ballyheane at home next Sunday.
Manor Rangers went down by five goals to nil away to Boyle Celtic.
Calry Bohs scored once through Aaron Flynn but fell away to Galway side West United by four goals to one.
Merville United had a fantastic win away to Salthill Devon from Galway. Ryan Hargadon opened the account for Merville, Conor Cox hit a superb free kick to put Merville two up, Bradley Fowley hit a screamer and John Francioni added the fourth for a famous victory. Dysart from Roscommon took the lead through Niall Corbett against Carbury and held till ten minutes into the second half when Gareth Kelly struck the equaliser for Carbury. Both sides battled hard and twenty-five minutes from time Christopher Kelly hit the winner for a jubilant Carbury FC