Plenty of action on opening weekend
THE Sligo/Leitrim District Soccer League got into full swing last weekend.
The first game to kick off was north Sligo boys Benbulben who took up the challenge of Gurteen Celtic in the Andrew Mullen Sligo Pallets Premier League on Friday night at the Astro in Cleveragh.
Both sides settled well and played an open attacking game.
Both defences were strong and, in the end, both sides shared the points in a scoreless encounter.
Whatever about the shortage of goals in the opening game we had a total of twenty-five goals in the Andrew Mullen Premier league games played on Sunday.
Arrow Harps welcomed Coolaney United to the Community Park in Riverstown and the home side were two goals up at the break thanks to strikes from Oisin Gilmartin and Anthony Elding.
Coolaney United were back in contention on sixty-five minutes when Cahill Davey hammered home a fine goal.
However, the celebrations were short lived when a minute later Anthony Elding netted the third goal that sealed the points for Arrow Harps.
One sad note was the clash of heads between team mates John Paul Henry and Declan Walsh. The league has wished both players a full and speedy recovery.
Cartron United travelled to Real Tubber where they got off to a flyer, hitting Tubber for three without reply.
Cartron were a gaol up at the break thanks to Gavin Sweeney and the second half belonged to Colin Feehily who scored twice and wrapped up the points for Cartron.
Cliffoney Celtic were at home to Chaffpool United in a roller coaster of a game.
The Pool were three one up at the half way stage Hughie Marren netting twice and Conor Prendergast on target for the Pool with Bartley Clancy scoring for Cliffoney who also had Alan Gregg dismissed by referee Stephen Fallon.
Things looked bleak for the north Sligo club but in the face of adversity they rose to the challenge with Christopher Keaney scoring twice and a goal each from Niall Sheerin and Mark Burns snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
Tireragh FC, under the watchful eye of the maestro Michael Hynes fielded a very young team for their home clash against St Johns.
Tireragh lead at the break thanks to a goal from Stephen Feeney.
St Johns had Graham Reilly sent off and then Tireragh goal keeper Mark O’Hara was sent off for an indiscretion.
St Johns were able to maximize the pressure on the Tireragh defence with Conor Brennan banging home a hat trick and Evan Davey adding a fourth giving St John’s a great away despite.
The game was late kicking off due to a clash of colours.
In the great Southern Hotel Super League newly promoted Merville United got off to a flyer at home to Aughanagh Celtic.
Merville, with a goal from Donagh Crowne lead at the break and a goal apiece from Ryan Hargadon and Graham Irwin seen them three goals to the good until the sixty-eight minute when the man with the golden boot, Paul Mc Tiernan pulled a gaol back for Aughanagh Celtic.
But any hopes of a comeback were killed off when ex-St John’s hitman Malachy Spratt scored on his debut and sealing the points for a jubilant Merville United.
Ballisodare United, fielding six of their young guns coming through the ranks of their superb youth system were at home to last seasons Super League Champions Leitrim King-pins Manor Rangers, who lead by three goals to one at the break courtesy of goals from Paul Clancy, Alan Hickey and Ciaran Mc Loughlin.
Ballisodare responded with a strike from Adam Grace who scored his second goal shortly after the restart to bring Ballisodare within a goal of there more illustrious opponents. But again Manor moved ahead with a fine goal from Shane Walsh and yet Ballisodare responded with an excellent finish from Darragh Healy but in the end Ex Yeats United and Calry Bohs journey Man Paul Logan on his debut wrapped up the points for Manor Rangers in this nine goal thriller.