Ballymote take win over Strand
THE league leaders in the Southern Super League Strand Celtic saw their away fixture transferred back to Strandhill as Ballymote Celtic pitch was deemed unplayable.
Prior to this Strand Celtic had lost just twice all season at home in October to Carbury FC and in November to Calry Bohs.
On paper this game was a banker for Strand Celtic riding high at the top of the table and Ballymote Celtic second from bottom.
However, all form went out the window with a magnificent display from the Ballymote men.
Strand opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a fine effort from Lee Marshall but celebrations were short lived as five minutes later Adam Cunnane cut through the Strand defence like a knife through butter to equalise.
Minutes into the second half and the hit man Mark Irwin nailing the winner he dazzled his way into the danger area and beat Strand keeper Graham Lee at his near post to cap a brilliant performance from Ballymote Celtic.
The day and the points all belong to Ballymote Celtic who had a great day at the seaside and on this form they will continue to rise.
Carbury FC continue their unbeaten run winning well at home in Sean Fallon Park to St Johns. Ibrahim Savage hit a hat trick with Gareth Kelly snatching two goals as well as missing a penalty that would have given him his hat trick.
But it was smiles all round for manager Adrian Conlon and his team as they are just two points behind Strand with five games in hand.
Leitrim kingpins returned to their winning ways hitting Arrow Harps for four without reply.
Vincent Sweeney opened their account on 20 minutes, Niall Walsh hit the second four minutes from half time.
Ten minutes from full time and Manor struck twice Walsh again on the mark and Seamus Ryder with a very clinical display from the Manor Boys.
Calry Bohs took all three points away to Ballisodare United, a brilliant goal from Aaron Flynn on 32 minutes doing the damage and despite the best efforts of Ballisodare United they could not breach the defence barriers of Calry Bohs.
In the Andrew Mullen Premier League Merville United go top after a walk over from North Sligo side Benbulben FC who are now in hot water.
MCR are joint second winning by two goals to nil at the Astro in Cleveragh against Dromore Villa.
Stephen Hallahan scored a penalty as well as missing one and Keith Nibbs added the 2nd for MCR who had two players sent off, Stephen Hallahan and Hayden Cawley while Stephen Feeney got his marching orders for the Villa a busy morning for referee Scottie Harte. North Sligo Kingpins Cliffoney Celtic got back to their winning form away to Chaffpool who scored first through Padraig Murtagh. Niall Sheerin equalised for Cliffoney but it took a Bartley Clancy strike on the stroke of full time to capture the points.
Glenview Stars with two goals in the first half from Keith Carty nailed all three points away to Coolaney United.