17 September 1997
Brave Ballyglass keep their hopes alive
Ballyglass ........................ 4 Westport United ................... 2
Ballyglass were forced to come from being two goals down against Westport United to keep their Premier Division title hopes alive with a hard-earned victory.
Vincent O'Malley opened United account in the tenth minute and John McKenna increased the margin twenty minutes later following a corner-kick.
Although the home side were playing against the wind, the situation looked far from rosy for them. But Justin Keady grabbed a lifeline before half time with a spectacular goal direct from a free-kick.
Ballyglass completed a magnificent recovery with three goals in the last twenty minutes from Joe Reapy, Kevin Connolly, back from holidays, and Martin Vahey.
The key figure in the Ballyglass win was Stephen Ring.
Ballyglass: D. Prendergast, M. Diskin, S. Ring, J. Keady, C. Burke, S.
Hyland, J. Fallon, J. Reapy, R. Prendergast, M. Vahey, K. Connolly. Res: K. Connelly (for Reapy). Westport United: D. Fadian, C. O'Neill, A. McLoughlin, I. McLoughlin, S. Jordan, B. Kennedy, N. Chambers, J. Kelly, J. McKenna, V. O'Malley, B. Tierney.
Ref: J. O'Brien (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: Stephen Ring. . .behind the best Ballyglass moves.
Urlaur hopes disappear
Urlaur United ................... 1 Claremorris ..................... 1
Urlaur's hopes of Premier Division glory were dashed when they were held by relegation threatened Claremorris.
A goal by Mick Mullee gave Claremorris a badly needed point away from home, although they are far from out of the woods yet.
Urlaur's goal was scored by Tim Moriarty from the penalty spot.
Castlebar grab a lifeline
Castlebar United ............... 2 Ballyheane ..................... 1
Castlebar United grabbed a Premier Division lifeline at Moneen on Sunday when they scored a dramatic victory over Ballyheane in what represented their second win of the campaign.
Kieran Heneghan gave Ballyheane the lead after half an hour. But United's Joe Gannon, transformed from goalkeeper to attacker, struck the goal of the season a minute later. He directed the ball with power and accuracy from the halfway line over the head of Ballyheane goalkeeper Sean Fahey.
Eddie Conway struck the winning goal for Castlebar with fifteen minutes remaining.
It was a match in which United has their share of luck.
Castlebar followed up the win with a draw against Erris in Belmullet on Sunday. Eric Reilly marked his return with a goal for Erris. But a goal by Joe Gannon was enough to give Castlebar a point.
Could Castlebar United pull off an escape of Houdini proportions for the second successive season.
Castlebar United: J. Redmond, B. Roach, G. Downes, M. Flynn, L. Coyne, K. Redmond, O. Roach, B. Walsh, S. Byrne, J. Gannon, E. Conroy. Res: V. Maye (for Downes).
Ballyheane: S. Fahy, I. Duffy, B. Donnelly, C. Conroy, D. Cannon, G. Flynn, R. Conroy, B. Feeney, A. Skeffington, K. Heneghan, T. Coghill.
Lacken back in trouble
Manulla ................... 5 Lacken United ............. 1
Lacken United were plunged back into serious relegation problems when they were hammered by Manulla on Sunday.
A hat-trick by Dermot McNicholas was the highlight of the match.
Ray Clarke scored the two other Manulla goals.
Brendan Horan was the Lacken marksman.
Question mark over Westport
Westport United ................ 2 Manulla ........................ 1
A question mark has been placed over Westport United's Premier Division win over Manulla on Thursday.
It is alleged that United fielded two established B team players in the match. The matter will be investigated by the Mayo League.
Two goals by John McKenna ensured Westport of victory and eased their relegation fears. Ray Clarke was on target for Manulla.
Swinford player under scrutiny
A complaint is to be made to the Mayo League over a player who allegedly turned out for Swinford B in their Division Three match against Ballyheane on Sunday.
Ballyheane won the game 4-2, but there is an enquiry pending into one of the players who played in the Swinford colours. It is understood he is a member of a Connaught Senior League club and is currently under suspension.
