Mayo Soccer 7 August 1996

Connaught Telegraph


WELCOME INN HOTEL PREMIERSHIP

URLAUR GO LEVEL WITH BALLYGLASS. . .

It's neck and neck at the top

Urlaur United .......................... 6
Conn Rangers ........................... 1

Urlaur United are level with Ballyglass at the top of the Mayo League Premiership with twenty-eight points from twelve games.

A comfortable victory over win-less Conn Rangers on Thursday put United in their best position of winning the coveted title since their last success in 1992.

With Urlaur and Ballyglass each having six games remaining in the campaign, it promises to be a battle right to the wire.

The fascinating race resumes on Saturday, August 17th, when Ballyglass are at home to third placed, Erris United, five points behind the leaders.

Their other matches in the run-in. With just one game away from home, are: v Straide & Foxford (home, August 24th); v Manulla (away, September 1st); v Urlaur (home, September 7th); v Conn Rangers (home, September 15th); v Achill Rovers (home, September 29th).

Urlaur's concluding six hurdles are: v Claremorris (away, August 18th); v Achill Rovers (away, August 25th); v Conn Rangers (home, September 1st); v Ballyglass (away, August 7th); v Castlebar United (home, September 15th); and v Manulla (home, September 29th).

Interestingly, Manulla clinched the title last season with a total of 43 points with one round still remaining. I don't think such a high tally will be reached this time Around, with possibly 41 points being enough.

If that proves to be the case, then four wins and one draw will be sufficient with both sides being able to afford one defeat, although neither will want to take that chance.

In fairness, Erris United cannot be ruled out of the scenario, either, and their run-in is arguably the easiest of the top three sides. The can reach 41 points by winning their remaining six games against Ballyglass (away, August 17th); v Claremorris (home, August 25th); v Castlebar United (away, September 1st); v Conn Rangers (away, September 8th); v Achill Rovers (home, September 15th); and v Westport United (away, September 29th). Urlaur, awarded home advantage for last Wednesday's match after Conn Rangers's ground was closed down for the original fixture on May 25th last, led 2-0 at half-time.

Tim Moriarty and Chris Jordan were in dominant form for United at midfield. Michael Roach pulled a goal back for Conn Rangers ten minutes into the second half.

They gave Urlaur a real fight of it after that and threatened to repeat their Tuohy Cup win over the East-Mayo side.

Once Urlaur struck their third goal fifteen minutes from the end, there was no way back for the Knockmore side. Three further goals in quick succession in the closing stages put an unbalanced look on the shoreline.

The Urlaur marksmen were Tim Moriarty (2), Chris Jordan (2), Gerry Rush and John Duffy.

Urlaur United: F. O'Boyle, M. Horan, M. Harrison, J. Duffy, P. Byrne, J. Costello, T. Moriarty, G. Rush, C. Jordan, P. Jordan, J. Hunt. Res: Jack Duffy (for P. Jordan).

Conn Rangers: D. Holmes, R. Kelly, D. Hervert, H. Maloney, M. Roach, P. Neary, M. McHale, M. Armstrong, J. Davis, S. Sweeney, N. Hopkins.Res: D. Reape (for Davis); J.P. Nelson (for R. Kelly).

Ref: M. Cresham (Castlebar).

* Star Rating: Chris Jordan. . .two-goal hero.





Connaught Telegraph - News - August 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - August 1996