Weekend’s junior soccer action.
CARBURY have edged closer to the league leaders in the Sligo Southern Super League with a devastating display against a young St Johns team, winning 9-0. Carbury had massive fire power with Ibrahim Savage and Gareth Kelly both bagging three goals each.
Barry O’Mahony, Gary Finan and Steve Feeney each scored once in a game dominated by Carbury.
Aughanagh Celtic welcomed Calry Bohs to Ballinafad and the sides shared the points in a scoreless draw.
Ballymote Celtic moved their game to the Astro at Cleveragh to play Leitrim Kingpins Manor Rangers and what a game it proved to be. Ballymote Celtic took the lead after five minutes with Dessie Flynn rocking the Manor goals. Manor bounced ten minutes later with Niall Walsh levelling the scores. Jack Hever put Ballymote Celtic ahead once again on thirty minutes only for Manor to hit back immediately with Niall Walsh scoring his second. Ballymote Celtic were ahead once again five minutes before the break with sharp shooter Mark Irwin netting his twelfth league goal of the season.
But again, the Leitrim Kingpins hit back this time through Seamus Ryder. On the stroke of half time referee Ray Flynn gave Manor Rangers scorer Niall Walsh his marching orders that left his team at a big disadvantage for the second half. Ballymote Celtic on sixty five minutes went in front with Dessie Flynn netting his second goal and Ballymote’s fourth. Manor levelled with seventeen minutes to go when Vincent Sweeney crashed home the equaliser and ten minutes from time Brian Mc Donald fired home a cracker of a goal to give all three points to the Manor Boys in this nine-goal thriller.
MCR lead the way in the Andrew Mullen Premier League while Cliffoney Celtic are in second with a hard-fought victory at home to the vastly improved Chaffpool United. Alan Harrison put Cliffoney ahead on twenty minutes to bring his league tally to eleven goals. Cliffoney increased their lead 16 minutes from time when Jason Brennan fired home what proved to be a very important strike as the Pool with their never say die attitude struck minutes from time with a superb goal from Cristoir Davey and were somewhat unlucky not to have taken something from this game.
Gurteen Celtic, bottom of the Premier League, moved their fixture to the Institute of Technology Ballinode Sligo to take on high flying Cartron United. Gurteen Celtic opened at a fast pace and were rewarded on twenty minutes when Ross O’Dowd fired home a glorious goal.
The Gurteen Boys held firm with their defence in superb form, they looked to be heading for their first win of the season but Cartron struck at the death when referee Terry Butler had no option but to dismiss James Williams for a deliberate handball and the resulting penalty was dispatched by Sean Condron past Alan Davey in the Gurteen goals.
This was a great game of football and full credit to both sides but a special word of praise to Gurteen Celtic for competing despite the results.
Glenview Stars welcomed Coolaney United to Forthill and keeping in mind that the big man Gino O’Boyle is getting married next weekend, Stars wanted to make sure he got off to a winning a start. Keith Carty was on fire hitting four goals aided and abetted with a double from the evergreen Glen Shannon and the seventh goal netted by Christopher Mc Donagh. Coolaney despite the score line were as competitive as ever with Declan Mc Cormack and Joe Kilcullen each scoring for a gallant Coolaney United.
Benbulben FC welcomed North Sligo side Real Tubber to Grange with just two places separating the clubs on the leader board. Benbulben gave two of their young players their Senior debut playing at number three Joseph Owen and wearing number six Sean O’Flynn. The first half was a baptism of fire for this young side with Real Tubber running riot and leading by three goals to nil at half time courtesy of a double strike from Peter Wynne and a third from Eoin Walsh.
However, Benbulben settled well into the second half with Aaron McElligott having a superb game in the Benbulben goals. Paddy Watters scored twice to bring Benbulben within a goal of Real Tubber but despite their heroics Real Tubber had in Eoin Walsh a match winner of their own who scored his second and Real Tubber’s fourth goal to keep their heads in front. Ten minutes from time and an own goal gave Benbulben some hope but the Real Tubber defence stood solid to take all three points by the odd goal in seven.
The 4th Round T P Brennan Connacht Cup seen Ballisodare United away to West United of Galway a hard game at the best of times. Ballisodare United conceded the only goal of the game six minutes from full time that ended their interest in this season’s T P Brennan Connacht Cup.
Merville United, who are flying high in the Premier League, were at home to Mayo side Achill Rovers. This game went to the Astro at the showgrounds due to weather conditions.
Leading scorer Ryan McManus opened the account for Merville with a brilliant strike. Graham Irwin added the second and Jordan Harte added the third that sees Merville United away to Castlebar Celtic on the 11th March and Renmore will welcome Carbury FC on the same date Kick Off 2pm in the Quarter Finals of the T P Brennan Connacht Cup.
Real Tubber are at home on Sunday the 4th March, kick off 2pm against West Coast United in their T P Brennan Shield Quarter Final Kick Off 2pm so Sligo Leitrim Teams still in with a shout for the Blue Riband competitions of Connacht.
Oscar Traynor:
The Oscar Traynor Quarter Final fixture Sligo Leitrim DSL v Kerry League on Saturday night the 3rd March KO 7.45pm Showgrounds Sligo.