Unbeaten run ends for Carbury
CARBURY were beaten in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League for the first time in three years at the hands of Manor Rangers on Sunday at Sean Fallon Park.
The first half was a tight affair with neither side giving much away.
Manor Rangers were quick out of the blocks and four minutes into the second half Alan Hickey blasted Manor Rangers into the lead.
Things got worse for Carbury seven minutes later when Aaron Murrin scored an own goal that left Manor Rangers in the driving seat and their defence rock solid.
Carbury suffered further misery in injury time when Danny O’Leary who had just come on the field of play ten minutes earlier was red carded that completed a day Carbury will want to forget.
Lucretius coined the phrase ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’ and so it proved to be at the weekend with Cartron United at home in Sean Fallon hitting Glenview Stars for three without reply. All goals coming in the first half Ryan Lynch, on thirty-five minutes, Brendan Fitzsimmons three minutes later and ten minutes from time Enda McGowan putting the cherry on the cake. This result fired Cartron United to the top of the Super league.
Aughanagh Celtic made the trip to Ballisodare United a rewarding one, although it was a tight first half with very little between the teams. Rolly Anderson came closest for Ballisodare a minute from the break.
The second half was more of the same, in the seventy first minute Aughanagh should have taken the lead when Dillon McDermott saw his header go wide when a goal looked a certainty.
Aughanagh did go in front five minutes later when Seamus Kane got on the end of a through ball to slot past Ballisodare keeper Gavin Phelan.
Liam McTiernan made it two nil after eighty-five minutes. His header that hit the post and he reacted quickest to end the tie.
Aughanagh got a third goal with the last kick of the game when Seamus Kane chipped Phelan to get his second goal of the game.
Strand Celtic were at home to Cliffoney Celtic in a game that produced nine goals. Cliffoney Celtic went ahead from the penalty spot after twenty minutes with Michael O’Hanlon converted the spot kick.
Niall Murphy levelled the scoring with a fine header from a cross from Jimmy Monaghan on thirty minutes.
Ben Spelman pushed Strand ahead only for Cliffoney to roar back with an equalising goal from Cathal Kelly five minutes from half time.
Strand Celtic dominated the early stages of the second half and were rewarded with another goal from Niall Murphy on sixty-five minutes and five minutes later Jimmy Monaghan who had an outstanding game scored the fourth goal for Strand Celtic and it looked done and dusted.
However Cliffoney had other ideas and in particular Cathal Kelly who scored on eighty minutes and again ten minutes later to complete his hat trick and level the scores.
But there was more to come in injury time, Cliffoney’s Jason Brennan lurking on the back post cracked home the winner for a brilliant result to the North Sligo side, but what a great game of football from both teams.
St Johns were at home to Merville United and it was the visitors who led at the break thanks to a Daniel Kilcullen strike.
St Johns moved up the gears in the second half with a goal each from Conor King, Paddy Waters and Conor Brennan wrapping up the points for St Johns.
In the Sligo Pallets Premier League wins for Calry Bohs, Chaffpool United, Carrick Town, and Arrow Harps with the clash of the titans, Real Tubber and Ballymote Celtic ending in a draw.
Real Tubber played this game at Ballinafad and it was Ballymote Celtic who took the lead after only five minutes when Colm Duffy fired them ahead.
Real Tubber were shell shocked but quickly regrouped and were awarded a penalty twenty minutes later that Matthew Mulhern took but his penalty was brilliantly saved by the Ballymote Celtic net minder.
Ten minutes from half time and the sides were level when Sean Kerrigan netted the equaliser.
The second half saw Real Tubber go ahead and again it was that man Sean Kerrigan scoring minutes into the restart.
Ballymote Celtic despite the setback kept their composure and were rewarded on sixty-eight minutes when Adam Cunnane rifled home a glorious equaliser at the end capturing a brilliant point for Ballymote Celtic.
It’s still a long way to go, but Ballymote Celtic could be crowned champions proving they can maintain their winning ways and they have the artillery to do it, but should they slip Real Tubber will take full advantage.
Arrow Harps continue their surge upwards hitting Gurteen Celtic for four at Riverstown and claim third spot on the leader board. Cian McDermott scored twice and a goal each from Patrick Benson and Ben Touhy wrapped up the points for the Riverstown boys.
Calry Bohs took all three points at Hazelwood against visitors Yeats United.
Jamie Grehan, David Devaney and Joe Kilcullen were all on the mark for Calry Bohs who as well as taking the points kept a clean sheet with a very well marshalled defence.
Carrick Town made their trip to Coolaney United a profitable one winning by the odd goal in seven it what by all accounts a very exciting game.
Coolaney United were three goals down at half time with Shane Beirne scoring twice and Sean Hayden adding the third.
It looked all over for Coolaney but the second half saw a remarkable comeback, with Cathal Davey scoring twice for Coolaney United and Alan Duggan netting the equaliser to mark a superb response from Coolaney.
However the Town had unfinished business and super sub Brendan Gunning crashed home a last minute winner securing all three points for a jubilant Carrick Town.
Chaffpool United continue their fine recent form winning by two goals to nil at home to Ballygawley Celtic.
Ace scorer Paul Connolly fired the Pool ahead on ten minutes and then five minutes from full time Padraig Murtagh ensured all three points with an excellent goal.