Mayo Soccer News



Our Logo 30 April 1997


Tuohy Cup

Ballyglass . . . . 6 Lacken United . . . 1

Ballyglass romped into the second round of the Tuohy Cup with a landslide victory over hapless Lacken United.

The South-Mayo side brought their tally of goals to ten in their opening two games of the new season following the demolition of United.

Kevin Connolly, the league's in-form striker, set Ballyglass on the road to victory with a fine early strike. Paul Connolly increased the margin moments later with a cracker from 25 yards. Martin Vahey made it 3-0 before half-time when he displayed excellent pace and composure before finishing off a sweeping attack.

The misery continued for Lacken in the second half. John Noonan, who started the game in goal before being replaced by regular custodian Declan Prendergast, hit the fourth Ballyglass goal early in the second half.

Joe Reapy, introduced as a substitute, used his strength to cut through the Lacken defence for his first goal of the season in the 65th minute.

Kevin Connolly registered his fourth goal in two matches by scoring the side's sixth goal fifteen minutes from the end.

Lacken, without key players John and Ollie Clarke, looked like a side that had been hit by a steam train.

They did muster a consolation goal before the end, however, through the hard-working John Forde.

But Ballyglass are giving all the indications that they are the team to beat in the Mayo League this season.

Ballyglass: J. Noonan, M. Kelly, C. Burke, J. Keady, M. Diskin, J. Glynn, P. Connolly, R. Prendergast, S. Ring, K. Connolly, M. Vahey. Res: J. Reapy (for Glynn); D. Prendergast (for Ring); F. Conroy (for Vahey).

Lacken United: P. O'Boyle, E. Keigher, D. Loughney, S. Forde, D. Lavin, D. Collins, B. Forde, B. Loftus, P. Tighe, J. Lavin, J. Forde. Res: M. Maughan (for Keigher inj.); K. Rooney (for S. Forde); F. Rooney (for D. Collins).

Ref: P. Foley (Westport ). * Star Rating: Kevin Connolly. . .four goals in two matches.

Manulla prepare to host National 5-a-side series

Details of the Heineken sponsored National 5-a-side tournament being hosted by Manulla Football Club on the May Band Holiday weekend were announced at a Press reception in Flukies Cosy Bar, Belcarra.

Seamus Duffy, secretary of Manulla F.C., thanked Andrew Neenan of (Murphy's Brewery Ireland) Heineken for their commitment to the Heineken National 5-A-Sides and for being their main sponsor for the past four years.

Duffy said the cost of running the club in 1996 was £18,000 and he expected this figure to rise to £25,000 in 1997 with the club opting to enter a team in the Connaught Senior League.

He said the major capital debt was erased by the commitment of all the sponsors of the club. He appealed to club members to support the sponsors because they have given very generously to the club down the years.

He said in this regard the club would be producing a sponsor guide which will include details of the different services available from their sponsors. This guide will be circulated among all club members.

He thanked the Staed family, Cragagh, Balla, for the Joseph State Memorial Cup which will be played for in the Under-12 Five-A-Side. This competition is sponsored by John Daly Refrigerated Foods, Claregalway and Balla.

Duffy also said he hoped to be in a position to announce details of a major sponsor for Connaught Senior League team at the official opening of the new Manulla F.C. Stand on Friday May 2nd. Donal Benson, chairman of the Mayo Association Football League said he was delighted to be chairman of a league in which Manulla played.

It was with great pride he brought the chief executive of the F.A.I. to Manulla on the Oscar Traynor weekend. Bernard O'Byrne was very impressed with what he saw in Manulla, Ballyglass, and Milebush, he said.

Benson said Manulla Football Club was one of the top clubs in Connaught and that many National League sides would envy their facility.

Andrew Neenan, Area Sales Representative for (Murphy's Brewery Ireland) Heineken, said that he was not involved in the Heineken National 5-A-Side until this year. But from what he could see, Manulla Football Club were very committed to providing football facilities which were second to none. He thanked the committee for the professional way they went about their business and complemented them on their magnificent achievements, both on and off the field.

In summing up Seamus Duffy (Secretary) thanked Philip and Geraldine Gormally of Flukies "Cosy" Bar for their support and hospitality. He also thanked the ladies committee for helping out with refreshments.

At a recent committee meeting of Manulla F.C. a vote of sympathy was passed to the Murphy and McHale families on the recent tragic loss of Paul Murphy (aged 2¸), son of Gerard and Mary Murphy, Ballyfarna, Belcarra and nephew of John McHale, committee member Manulla F.C.

The Heineken 5-A-Sides Weekend Programme is as follows:

Friday, 2nd May: 8.30p.m., Mass for deceased members of the Club in the Clubhouse. 9.15p.m., Official opening of the first soccer spectator stand in Mayo. The opening will be performed by Mr Pat Quigley, President of the Football Association of Ireland and will be blessed by Fr. Mick Lally. 10.00p.m., Failte Night in Hennelly's Bar, Manulla.

Saturday, 3rd May: Competition starts at 11.00am.; 9.30p.m. 21st anniversary celebration in "The Shebeen" Balla. Club weekly lotto also.

Sunday 4th May: 12.00pm, Final rounds of all competitions; 3.00p.m. U-12 Final; 3.30, Plate Final; 4.00 Ladies Final; 4.30 Mens Final; 9.30 Competition night in "The Rendezvous Bar" Balla; 21st anniversary draw.

WELCOME INN HOTEL PREMIER DIVISION

Conroy's first goal made the point

Erris United ........................ 2
Ballyheane .......................... 2

Ballyheane defender Colin Conroy selected the perfect time to score his first goal for the club.

Conroy, who won a Mayo League Premier Division medal with Manulla in 1994, struck an injury time equaliser at Carne Nash, Belmullet, on Sunday, to give Ballyheane their first ever top flight point.

Things had not looked so rosy for the Premier Division new boys when centre-half Tom Bourke conceded an own goal just before half-time.

In a match played in a downpour, Erris midfielder Steve Carolan had put pressure on the Ballyheane defence with a magnificent run.

David Cannon, back in the Ballyheane ranks, got his side back into contention on the hour. He hit the sweetest of equalisers following good work by Anthony Skeffington and Kieran Heneghan.

Eric Reilly, Mayo football's most prolific striker, appeared to have snatched victory for Erris in the 74th minute. His dead-ball effort left Ballyheane goalkeeper, Sean Fahey, without a prayer.

But Ballyheane refused to die and they got their reward in the dying moments when Conroy scored from a rehearsed set-piece involving the clever Greg Flynn.

It was just the result Ballyheane wanted to get their campaign off on a relatively high note.

Erris, on the other hand, will see the result as two points dropped at home.

Erris United: P. Reilly, M. Boylan, M. Dixon, P. Munnelly, N. McNulty, S. Carolan, J. Mangan, J. Reilly, J. O'Donoghue, E. Reilly, N. Shevlin. Res: J. Coyle (for J. Reilly); L. Conway (for Mangan); M. Gaynard (for O'Donoghue).

Ballyheane: S. Fahy, I. Duffy, C. Conroy, T. Burke, B. Igoe, T. Coghill, G. Glynn, K. Lally, A. Skeffington, K. Heneghan, D. Conway. Res: B. Feeney (for Coghill). Ref: M. Cresham (Castlebar).

* Star Rating: Colin Conroy. . .picked the right time to get his first Ballyheane goal.



Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - April 1997