Mayo Super League hots up as underdogs Glenhest Rovers climb to the summit
THE Super League is heating up as Glenhest Rovers pipped Westport United in a 2–1 win, while Castlebar Celtic and Ballyheane FC lay down early markers.
There are many factors behind such a pulsating start to the Super League season.
Realistically, Castlebar Celtic could never maintain their dominance of recent history, not just because of the loss of key personnel, but because both Westport United and Ballina Town were always going to regroup and improve.
What has also helped is the restructuring of the league itself.
The split season ensures all games carry real weight and guarantees a nailbiting finish to the campaign.
The split comes into effect after the first round of fixtures, when each team has played each other once, dividing sides into two groups of five for two further rounds.
Even before the split has arrived, it has already given the league an unpredictable hue, something that was missing in previous seasons when an awesome Castlebar Celtic side pulverised all and sundry in their title campaigns.
But this season's surprise package of Glenhest Rovers will give great heart to clubs across the county.
The rural outfit have started the season in splendid fashion, and their weekend victory over Westport United is a real coup that adds serious weight to their hopes of clinching a first ever Super League title.
What would it mean for Glenhest? Absolutely everything. And it would, in my impartial view, be a major boost for the game in Mayo.
Who doesn't love an underdog?
Glenhest now sit atop the table, overtaking neighbours Westport United, who will be hurting after losing to the boys from the shadow of Nephin.
Darren Boyle has proven to be another inspired acquisition for the ‘Hest, as their famed defensive solidity has grown to add true firepower up front.
Ballyheane FC, however, are coming up strong. Their league opener at the weekend proved that Ashley Stevenson and Co. are cooking up something potent at Pat Quigley Park.
A comprehensive 8–0 victory over Conn Rangers was an emphatic return to action, and you can see why Mayo FC were keen on full-back Adam Blake, who scored two goals, with Nathan Reilly Doyle also grabbing a brace alongside Liam Irwin and substitute Walter Tuffy.
They will have to navigate those Thursday evening games, but if they are firing on all cylinders like they were against Conn on Sunday, the feel-good factor will build quickly and a rapid rise up the table will follow.
Conn Rangers look destined for the bottom half of the table after the split. Last week I placed them in a toss-up against Manulla, but I suspect their campaign will drift towards the lower end of the standings.
There are some supremely talented players at Conn, but defensively they have not gelled at all. Sam Barnes and Conor Gorman could also be names on Anthony O'Neill's wish list as the recently appointed Mayo FC manager prepares to take his first training session with the new FAI National League side in July.
The question has to be asked: Will the final stretch of the Super League season be impacted by some top names testing their mettle a level or two above?
MAYO FC MAKING MOVES
O'Neill named several Mayo-born players with League of Ireland experience at his first press conference as manager of the senior men's team last week.
His comments alluding to John Mountney, who is plying his trade with Glenavon having made 12 appearances in a difficult campaign for the Armagh club, made clear that O'Neill has his sights set on experienced ‘cultural architects’ as he builds an exciting project for the county.
Mountney would be the biggest name in Mayo football and a signature of his level would entice fellow players and supporters into the iron wrought gates of Umbro Park.
Noé Baba is another name regularly speculated upon. It would be remarkable to see him return to the county at this critical juncture for football in Mayo, given that he has been out of the game since his spell with Athlone Town.
Paul Doyle, formerly of Westport United, is another who would add grit and steel to Mayo FC's midfield.
The acquisitions of Guga Kokaia and Dmitri Tskiarishvili point to their involvement in the senior set-up. Both will be overage for next season, Kokaia already is, and he continues to wear the captain's armband with pride.
The gap between the current Mayo FC Under 20 side and what a finished senior squad could be remains a challenge, and the lack of an out-and-out goalscorer is an issue that will worry Anthony O’Neill.
P.J. Gilmartin of Ballina Town leads the Super League top-scorer chart with eight goals. Darren Browne of Westport United and Claremorris talisman Mark Maloney are joint second.
All three would add something to what I have seen from this Mayo FC Under 20 side, and the opportunity to play at senior level is a once-in-a-generation chance for players in this county.
We can only wish Anthony O'Neill and Mícheál Schlingermann the very best in the months ahead. They will have their work cut out, but expressions of interest are out there and names have come thick and fast into the Mayo FC inbox.
What is certain is that a ‘core of Mayo’ will take to the field in that opening game. What comes after that is anyone's guess, and that is the beauty of this sport.