Goal-den oldies get new Mayo football series off to a flyer

THE Mayo Senior Masters League (Over 42) finally got underway at Umbro Park, Milebush, Castlebar, last week, with some cracking fixtures.

The opening round of fixtures scheduled for January 6 were postponed and will now take place at the end of the league campaign, so the league commences with round two.

Ballinrobe Town and Fahy Rovers served up an entertaining encounter, with the south Mayo men prevailing in the end on a 3-1 scoreline.

Both sides were eager to make a winning start in the inaugural eigth-a-side campaign, and Fahy Rovers almost made the dream opening after just two minutes when Tom Gill let fly, but his effort flew inches wide.

Fahy continued to pepper the Ballinrobe goal area but the Town defence was well marshalled by Pat Kelly, with John O’Donnell also making some timely interventions for the south Mayo side.

The Robesiders then took the lead on nine minutes. J.P. O’Gorman won possession and skipped past a couple of challenges before his exquisite finish rustled the back of the net.

John O’Donnell almost doubled the advantage on 13 minutes but his chance at the near post was saved by Sean McCaughey in the Fahy Rovers goal.

The Town continued to press, with O’Donnell heavily involved in crafting a chance for Peter Staunton, whose strike whooshed inches wide.

On 19 minutes (25 minutes per half), Fahy very nearly plundered the equaliser. An opportunity fell to Tom Gill and his thunderous effort cannoned back off the crossbar, much to the relief of the Ballinrobe custodian.

Rovers could well have levelled matters before the break but the busy Gill couldn’t guide home the two chances that fell his way.

Five minutes into the second period, Rovers did manager to restore parity when the influential Gill saw his close-range header ripple the back of the net.

However, Ballinrobe Town responded impressively and regained the lead on 33 minutes. The industrious Staunton won possession and threaded an inch-perfect ball into the path of O’Gorman, and the latter finished with panache.

On 40 minutes, a dominant Ballinrobe added a crucial third goal when Enda Casey’s cross-cum-shot fell into the path of the poaching Pat O’Sullivan, who gleefully applied a simple close-range finish.

The Robesiders closed out proceedings impressively and collected a valuable three points in their opening fixture.

SAUNTERED

Elsewhere on opening night, Snugboro United sauntered to a comfortable 6-0 victory against Conn Rangers, with both Michael Cusack and John McCarthy to the fore.

The Conn Rangers game plan suffered an early setback when United took the lead on two minutes courtesy of Michael Cusack, with Sean O’Brien providing the assist.

John McCarthy added a second for Snugboro on 10 minutes before his team-mate Stephen Clarke pounced to add a third on 22 minutes, and Rangers were now left with a mountain to climb.

Ten minutes into the second half, James McHale effectively ended the game as a contest when his tidy finish mustered a 4-0 lead for United.

John McCarthy then added his second and United’s fifth goal of the joust on 38 minutes.

On 45 minutes, the industrious Michael Cusack added his second goal of the contest to help round off what was an impressive display by United.

An eight-goal thriller unfolded between Ballina Town and Ballyheane, with the Moysiders recording a hard-fought 5-3 victory.

The opening exchanges were keenly contested, with both sides full of endeavour in what was becoming a real tactical battle.

Ballina seized the initiative on 15 minutes when Brendan Giblin’s effort found its way to the back of the net.

The Ballyheane response was impressive though and the understrength chasers subsequently levelled matters through a fine goal by Martin Moran.

Nonetheless, Town ended the first half in a flourish and goals from Aidan O’Hora and Malachy McCarron garnered a 3-1 interval lead for the north Mayo men.

Eleven minutes into the second half, Ballyheane’s Kevin Malone reduced the arears to the bare minimum.

Towards the end of the game, further Ballina goals from McCarron (his second) and Mark Beattie appeared to have ended the game as a contest.

However, a doughty Ballyheane did manage to pull a goal back during stoppage time through Conor O’Malley. However, their late comeback ran out of time.

Westport United also made a winning start to their campaign as they recorded a 4-2 victory against Ballyvary Blue Bombers.

Ballyvary made a bright start to this contest but all their early hard work was undone when Manus Donnell pinched the lead for United on nine minutes.

Undeterred, the Blue Bombers regrouped and they deservedly levelled proceedings on 16 minutes, when Stephen Carolan rustled the back of the net.

Just before the break, Westport guaranteed a slender half-time lead courtesy of Austin O’Malley’s goal.

The hard-working Kevin Joyce then netted two goals for United on 35 and 39 minutes respectively, which gleaned a 4-1 lead for the west Mayo side.

To their credit, the Blue Bombers kept plugging away, with Simon Cloherty’s late penalty putting a better reflection on the full-time scoreline.

Despite suffering defeat, Ballyvary can take plenty of positives from this performance.

Finally, a thrilling derby encounter between Manulla and Castlebar Town ended in a 5-3 victory for the Carramore outfit.

Castlebar Town began the tie at a brisk pace, and they netted a deserved lead on 11 minutes courtesy of a tidy finish from Jarlath Coady.

However, their joy didn’t last too long as a resurgent Manulla levelled matters on 14 minutes, Michael Cuffe’s effort finding the back of the net.

The first half produced some sparkling football from both sides, and the Moneen outfit regained the initiative when some tidy build-up resulted in Piotr Slabik shunting his team into the lead.

However, there was a frantic finale to the first half, and it was Manulla who benefitted. Three quick-fire goals from Dessie Campbell, Dermot McNicholas and Malachy Byrne gleaned a healthy 4-2 half-time lead for the Carramore outfit.

Sean Commons added a fifth for the leaders during the second half, much to the delight of the Manulla supporters.

But the Town refused to give up the chase, and they salvaged a late consolation goal courtesy of Brian Hanrahan.

It wasn't enough, however, and Manulla grabbed all the points on offer.