Lots of action around the county
MANORHAMILTON Rangers move within striking distance of league leaders Carbury in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League after welcoming fellow contenders Cartron United to the New Astro facilities at Dromahair. The goal glut started on nine minutes with Aaron Hickey firing Manor into the lead from the penalty spot. Two minutes later and joint leading league scorer Robbie Cunningham had Manor two goals up. Cartron replied a minute later with Malachy Spratt netting and four minutes on the sides were level when Colin Feehily fired home the equaliser.
This was breathtaking stuff and still the goals came, Donal Gallagher gave Cartron United the lead on twenty-two minutes but celebrations were short lived for within three minutes Alan Hickey scored to level matters for Manor Rangers. Both sides then settled in and the six goal blitz ensured an exciting second half with all to play for. The lead fell to Manor Rangers thirty minutes from time when Alan Hickey blasted home and the Leitrim Boys got a massive three points when on the stroke of fulltime Shane Walsh hit the killer goal that gives Manor an amazing opportunity to lift silverware. They have the same number of games played as leaders Carbury but are two points behind with an inferior goal difference. That said, providing both teams don’t drop any points it could all come down to the wire when Manorhamilton Rangers welcome Carbury to the Bee Park.
Getting back to business Carbury continue their drive to dominate the Super League. They travelled to Ballinafad to take up the challenge of Aughanagh Celtic. In fairness it was a one sided affair with Carbury hitting eight goals, four of them courtesy of Ryan McManus, Gareth Kelly adding two more, a penalty from Aaron Murrin while new signing from Arrow Harps Daniel Hargadon scored on his debut. Aughanagh scored once courtesy of John Craig on sixty minutes but it was too little to late. Despite conceding eight goals it could have been worse except for the brilliance of Aughanagh Celtic net minder Stephen Keegan who took of a string of amazing saves..
North Sligo’s Cliffoney Celtic were at home to St Johns. Jason Brennan put Cliffoney Celtic ahead on twenty-five minutes and Darragh Hoey increased that lead on sixty-eight minutes.
St Johns rallied and were rewarded six minutes later when Paddy Waters scored to give St Johns a lifeline.
But all hopes were dashed two minutes later when Daragh Hoey rattled the back of the St John’s net that ensured the three points for the Cliffoney Boys.
Glenview Stars shone at Forthill hitting thee goals against visitors MCR. Dylan Martin was on target after ten minutes for the Stars and five minutes later they were two goals to the good with a cracker from Alan Collum. MCR courtesy of Graham Irwin scored just before the break to set up a mouth watering second half.
Stars had Daniel Kelly sent off on sixty five minutes for a second yellow card and this saw MCR go all out for that elusive equaliser but it was the Stars who hit back two minutes from time when Glen McCormack rifled home the goal that sealed the points for a jubilant Glenview Stars.
Real Tubber and Ballymote Celtic are the pace setters in the Sligo Pallets Premier with both sides winning again on Sunday.
Real Tubber made the journey to Hazelwood a rewarding one hitting Calry Bohs for five without reply. Daniel Gorman bagged a hat trick with a goal apiece from Eoin Walsh and Oisín Gorman completing the damage.
Ballymote Celtic had a ninegoal thriller with Yeats United at Brother Walfrid Park. Mark Irwin netted a hat trick bringing his league goal haul to sixteen.
Daniel Clarke scored twice and Zak O’Dowd was also on target. Yeats despite the score line took the lead on twelve minutes courtesy of Darragh Gaule from the penalty spot and the same player scored again five minutes from time with Aaron Mc Cormack also scoring once for the Yeats men.
Carrick Town scored once through Stephen McLoughlin at the Astro in Ballisodare but
Gurteen Celtic proved too strong, scoring four goals in reply.
Ross O’Dowd netted twice, Niall McGill and Ross Donovan were the other scorers for Gurteen Celtic.
Chaffpool United were at home to Coolaney United with the visitors taking the lead two minutes from half time courtesy of Paul Baker. The Pool hit back on sixty minutes with a fine goal from Jack McIntyre but ten minutes later and Coolaney restored their lead with a Conor McCormack goal. This looked like a match winner but four minutes from the final whistle the Pool struck again with a second goal from the lethal boot of Jack McIntyre that claimed a valuable point for the Pool.