MCR come out on top against Merville United in epic Premier League clash
SEAN Fallon Park in Cranmore was the venue for the clash of the Titans in the Andrew Mullen Premier League.
Top of the table leaders MCR were welcomed the only unbeaten side Merville United to the lion’s den.
The last league encounter saw Merville win by the odd goal in five on the 28th January with Ryan Mc Manus netting a hat trick.
Since then, MCR have won five league games on the trot hitting nineteen goals and conceding only four goals.
But Merville United with four league games less played due to FAI and Connacht Cup commitments are currently the team carrying the most threat to MCR’s hope of silverware.
The game got off to a flyer with MCR ahead after one minute when Paul Lynch hit the opener and four minutes later leading scorer Keith Nibbs nailed a second to bring his tally to twenty-three goals and MCR were on fire and with fourteen minutes to the break Ciaran Harvey made it three nil to a now rampant MCR.
Merville however have a great pedigree and they came out with all guns blazing in the second have Joe Spratt netting after five on fifty minutes.
Next up was Ryan McManus who beat Tony Clarke Tony Clarke in the MCR goals with a sublime effort.
Game on with only a goal separating both sides and yet again MCR hit back on seventy minutes when Ciaran Harvey hit his second of the day.
It looked all over but Merville never gave up the chase and once again their class shone through on eighty-eight minutes the brilliant Ryan McManus cracked home his second goal and one minute later.
Graham Irwin levelled the game with a glorious equaliser.
This was breath taking drama with both sides having the game of the season and still there was more to come.
One minute into injury time and Stephen Hallahan put in a beautiful cross to the penalty area, John McLoughlin rose high in the six-yard box to give Gareth Quinn no chance in the Merville goals.
MCR are now top, while Merville United can if they win their outstanding fixtures still have the same number of points so its all to play for in this most exciting league.
There are plenty of Teams that will have a massive say in where Silverware will go this year one of them is seconded placed Glenview Stars.
They had an emphatic win away to Gurteen Celtic with Keith Carty netting twice along with goals from Clive Brennan, Glen Shannon and Conor Grey.
Gino O’Boyle and the backroom staff at Stars have this team firing on all cylinders and both MCR and Merville have yet to play Stars at Forthill.
North Sligo Kingpins Cliffoney Celtic in third place at present won the local derby today at home to Benbulben an own goal by Joel Duffy seen Benbulben lead at half time.
Cliffoney went up the gears in the second half with goals Brian O’Connor, Bartley Clancy Diarmuid Gallagher and Christy Keaney wrapping up the points for Cliffoney who will also play a major role in deciding the championship as they entertain Merville Utd twice first game is up next Sunday and a win for Cliffoney puts them in a massive position.
Real Tubber are coming back to their best with the team in goal scoring form against Dromore Villa.
Jack Walsh the hero of the day hitting six goals with Brother Eoin, Martin Mulvaney and Ronan Forkin adding a goal each.
Chaffpool United another side that with their full squad can prove a handful they welcomed visitors Coolaney United and it was the Connolly Brothers Show with Stephen scoring twice and Paul adding a third while Criostoir Davey netted once as well to give the Pool a four-goal victory over a battling Coolaney United.
Manor Rangers are the league leaders in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League after this excellent win away to Arrow Harps in Riv- erstown.
Harps took the lead after ten minutes when Ben Touhy rocked the Manor defence with a fine solo effort.
Manor bounced back and hit five goals.
James Glancy, Paul Clancy, Seamus Ryder, Alan Hickey and Brian McDonald all on target for a very powerful Manor Rangers side who now lead the way.
Strand Celtic, league leaders for so long were toppled of their perch against the most dangerous side in the league Carbury.
Gareth Kelly was the tormentor of his old club hitting two goals to bring his tally to seventeen goals while Gary Finan added a third.
Carbury are now the only side in both division’s that remain unbeaten in league competition a remarkable achievement so far and Strand Celtic despite this setback could if they beat Arrow Harps in their last league fixture claim third spot in the league and considering all the young guns they have in the team they have to be future contenders for a title.
Ballisodare United hit mid table with this big win over Ballygawley Celtic.
Hugh Mc Gowan netted for Ballygawley Celtic but it was the big guns of Ballisodare doing the damage Andrew Patton getting a hat trick Darren Somers snatching two fine goals with a goal each from Conor Davey, Dylan Martin and Keith Gilmartin sealing the points for a rampant Ballisodare United.
Ballymote Celtic continue their resurgence winning by four goals to nil away to a very strong Aughanagh Celtic at Ballinafad. Hitmen here were Jack Hever Adam Cunnane and Shane Regan who scored twice.
This result puts Ballymote Celtic into seventh spot on the leader board and a few more good results can see them soar.