WELCOME INN HOTEL MAYO SOOCER LEAGUE

Connaught Telegraph

Soccer News 16 October 1996


URLAUR WAITING ON THE WINGS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE, BUT. . .

Ballyglass banking on vital statistics !

By Tom Kelly

The day of destiny in the Mayo League Premiership arrives on Sunday. A campaign which began in early April is poised to reach an exciting conclusion with the spotlight focussing on the games involving Ballyglass and Urlaur United.

Ballyglass, just one point clear of Urlaur following 17 rounds of matches, hold the key to success in their hands. They know they will unlock the door to championship glory for the second time in their history if they defeat Achill Rovers at home (k.o. 2.30p.m.)

The statistics suggest Ballyglass will win. They have won seven out of their eight homes games in the series, the only blemish occurring in the 2-2 draw against Urlaur United on September 7th.

In what represents a magnificent record at this level, Ballyglass hold the distinction of not having lost a match in the competition and are the only unbeaten side in Mayo League football this season.

All of the other points which they dropped (12 in all) were as a result of being held to draws away from home by Westport United, Erris United, Urlaur United, Claremorris, and Manulla. The side's record for drawing matches is the one factor which could prove their undoing. They have drawn more matches (six in all) than any other at the top flight. Only Crossmolina, in Division Two [North], have drawn more games than them.

Unfortunately, from their perspective, Ballyglass could lose out on the title without having tasted defeat for the entire 18-match competition. Such a scenario would come about if they draw with Achill Rovers and Urlaur United defeat Manulla in their final match which kicks-off at the same time on Sunday.

It speaks volumes for Urlaur's character and purpose that they have succeeded in keeping such close track of Ballyglass despite the setback of three defeats compared to none for Ballyglass.

But the East Mayo side have won one game more than Ballyglass and registered four draws less to stay right in the hunt.

In fact, Urlaur would probably have gone on to win the crown had it not been for a surprise defeat at the hands of Achill Rovers at Curraune on September 22nd. I am not saying they still can't do it, but they need Achill to do them a big favour. I am reasonably confident Urlaur will defeat Manulla at home on Sunday. They have only dropped two points at home all season. That was in the 1-1 draw with Ballyglass on June 15th.

There is no question that Ballyglass will be under the greater pressure, but I believe they possess the right qualities to clinch Mayo football's biggest prize.

NO STRANGERS

Urlaur United and Ballyglass are no strangers to Mayo League championship success. Urlaur lifted the title in the 1989/90 and 1991/92 seasons, while Ballyglass won it for the only time in the 1990/91 season.

Four Urlaur players are seeking their third championship titles. They are Tim Moriarty, Pat Beirne, John Duffy and Tom Moffatt. Three members of the Ballyglass side were members of the 1991 title winning side. They were Declan Prendergast, Ray Prendergast and Joe Reapy. Urlaur United clinched their first Mayo League on April 15th, 1990, when they procured the two points they needed against Barcastle in their final game at home.

It was a dream come true for the East Mayo village club which joined the Mayo League in 1976. They overcame the disappointment of being pipped by a point the previous season by Ballina Town to bounce back and win the title in style. The Urlaur eleven on the occasion was Tim Moriarty, Sean Jordan, Marty Harrison, Pat Beirne, John Duffy, Tom Moffatt, Jimmy Marren, Paul Jordan, James Duffy, Michael Moffatt and Enda Gurren.

Others who made a contribution to their success that season were John Eagney, Noel Regan, Marty Brett, John Finn, Kevin Duffy and Marty Grennan. Ballyglass came out of virtually nowhere to capture the Mayo League Premier Division Championship for the first time on March 24th, 1991.

The South Mayo side dropped just a single point over the concluding six rounds of the 14-match league championship series to clinch the title with a 2-0 win over Straide & Foxford United at Foxford.

It was a glorious run which left their main adversaries, Swinford, reeling in their wake. In fact, the story of the 1990/91 Premier Division campaign was as much about Swinford losing the title as Ballyglass winning it. The triumphant Ballyglass side consisted of goalkeeper Declan Prendergast, Noel Burke, Padraig Heverin, Ray Prendergast, James Prenty, Pat Coleman, Joe Glynn, Liam Niland Joe Reapy, Michael John Mullen and John Tracey.

Others to contribute to an unforgettable season for the club were Sean Gilligan, John Newell, Kevin McDonnell, Padraig Burke and Richard Duggan. Urlaur United won the crown for the second time on February 16th, 1992. A 1-1 draw at home to Swinford in their second last game of the fourteen match series proved sufficient in re-establishing the club as the outstanding one in the county.

Their only defeat of the campaign came in the ninth round when they lost 2-1 at home to bogey side, Castlebar United. Urlaur only conceded 12 goals on their way to lifting the championship title.

The members of the side were goalkeeper Marty Brett, Chris Caulfield, John S. Duffy, John Duffy, Pat Beirne, Tom Moffatt, Tim Moriarty, Dom Greally, Jimmy Marren, Gerry Rush and Colm Horkan.

Chris Jordan and Sean Higgins were used as substitutes against Swinford, and others to feature in the Urlaur success story that season were Paul Jordan, who missed the run-in through injury, Noel Regan, Kevin Duffy, Enda Gurren, Martin Grennan, James Duffy and David Byrne.



Connaught Telegraph - News - October 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - October 1996