Ballymote win in 7-goal thriller
THERE was one game in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League at the weekend with Ballymote Celtic at home to Glenview Stars in Brother Walfrid Park.
This was a great opportunity for Stars as a win here would see them take over at the top of the leader board but alas, it was not to be.
Ballymote took all three points by the odd goal in seven with Colm Duffy opening the account for Ballymote Celtic on 14 minutes and Mark Irwin adding a second goal on 25 minutes.
Glenview Stars continued to push forward and were rewarded five minutes from the break when Clive Brennan crashed home a great goal.
The second half saw order restored when Mark Irwin drifted in to score his second goal of the game for Ballymote.
Stars upped the tempo but it was Brendan Lowry who scored the fourth goal with a flying header for Ballymote and Lowry celebrated with a double flip that’s seen him score in every season for 36 seasons what a record.
Despite the setbacks Stars showed their pedigree and Clive Brennan scored twice late in the game to see the last few minutes a tense affair but in a great game where both sides were outstanding the spoils fell to Ballymote Celtic.
Five clubs are vying for top spot in the Andrew Mullen Sligo Pallets Premier league with only goal difference separating them.
Cartron United lead the board and have a game in hand but they took a massive win away to Cliffoney Celtic.
The only goal of the game coming after ten minutes when Enda McGowan was quickest to react and fired home from close range with a goal that in the end took all three points for the Cartron Boys.
Coolaney United won at home to Benbulben with Cathal Davey scoring twice, one of these from the penalty spot and Jonathan Gilligan adding the third.
Benbulben scored once through Michael Gilmartin but on the day, it was all Coolaney.
Arrow Harps bounced back to winning form winning away by three goals to one against Gurteen Celtic.
James Mackey hit two goals the first after a minute of play and Ciaran Kilfeather added the third for Harps.
Gurteen Celtic scored once on 55 minutes courtesy of Shane O’Grady.
Real Tubber were at home in this local derby clash against Chaffpool United but it proved a one-sided affair with Real Tubber hitting five without reply.
Dylan Henry, Jason Dwyer, Ronan Forkin, Shane Keyes and Jason Perry the hitmen for a ram- pant Real Tubber.
Tireragh FC continue their winning ways hitting three goals against Riverstown Masters Ryan McKenna, Kenneth Caffrey and Barry Duffy on the mark for Tireragh with Alan Henry hitting the only goal for the home side Riverstown Masters.
FAI Junior Cup 2nd Round
St Johns were at home to Skyvalley Rovers and the visitors proved too strong running out winners by a comfortable four goals to nil.
Local encounter Ballisodare United were at home to Manorhamilton Rangers once again league form shone through and goals from Vinnie Sweeney, Aaron Hickey, Paddy Woulfe and Shane Walsh saw the Leitrim side advance to the next round of the FAI Junior Cup.
Steve and Andrew Patton were the scorers for Ballisodare United.
Strand Celtic entertained Merville United but the visitors proved too strong for the seasiders who got hit for four goals without reply. Graham Irwin netting twice with a goal apiece from Malachy Spratt and Jordan Muldoon.
MCR welcomed Ballinasloe Town to Sean Fallon Park and again no joy for the home side getting hit by Ballinasloe for three without reply.
Ryan Burke, Mick Lynch and Des Hope were the hitmen for Ballinasloe Town.
Carbury travelled to Roscommon League side Boyle Celtic in a battle royal.
Carbury took the lead through Gary Armstrong but an own goal from Johnny Martyn left the sides level at half time.
Carbury again took the lead through Ibrahim Savage but eight minutes from time Gerard McDermottroe levelled the scores with a brilliant 20-yard free kick to bring the game into extra time.
Despite the additional time, the game went to penalties and eventually sudden death and Mark Rooney proved the hero of the day in the Carbury goals when saving from Niall O’Donoghue to put the Connacht Champions Carbury into the next round.
The Irish Daily Mail FAI Senior Cup and Continental Tyres Women’s Senior Cups will take place at the Aviva Stadium on the 4th of November.
This is a key date in the domestic football calendar. Accordingly, the FAI Board of Management has designated the 4th of November as a closed day for all football under the jurisdiction of the Football Association of Ireland.