It is another hectic weekend of action for a number of Mayo sides on the soccer fields this weekend. Thirteen Mayo teams will be in action across the province in Connacht Junior Cup and Junior Shield action either on Saturday or Sunday. The action gets underway on Saturday evening at 6pm, when Manulla make the trek to Shiven Rovers to take on the 2010 Roscommon and District League champions in what will be a very tough encounter for the Carramore men.
On Sunday Westport United will be looking to shake off their heartbreaking exit from the FAI Junior Cup last weekend in extra time when they host Galway League side Corrib Rangers in the Sportspark. League champions Ballina Town also have home advantage on Sunday when they take on Sligo side Strand Celtic for a place in the fifth round of the competition. Another of the heavy hitters of the Mayo League, Iorras Aontaithe will have to make the trip south to take on Galway side O.L.B.C . The final game in the junior cup is an all-Mayo meeting of local rivals Castlebar Celtic and Ballyheane. Celtic will start as favourites having managed to retain their Super League status for the new season unlike their near neighbours who are currently contemplating life in the Premier Division.
In the junior shield there are a few all-Mayo clashes with Ballina United and Ballyvary Blue Bombers going head to head in north Mayo. Mulranny United and Moy Villa will also battle it out, while Kiltimagh/Knock United will host Tuam Celtic with Ballinrobe Town making the journey to Coolera Rovers for a place in the semi final. With two all-Mayo clashes there are guaranteed to be at least two Mayo sides in the semi-final and with a bit of luck all the sides in the last four could be Mayo teams.
GMIT Castlebar to host Colleges finals
GMIT Castlebar is to host the Colleges Football Association of Ireland (CFAI ) Umbro Cup Finals in Castlebar next month, on March 9 and 10. The CFAI Umbro cup finals are the culmination of FAI cup competitions in colleges across the country. Ten teams are expected to take part in the two day events. GMIT Castlebar college Sports Officer Nigel Jennings says the campus is delighted and honoured to have been chosen to host this prestigious sports event. “The football on display will be of the very highest standard with several League of Ireland players and former youth internationals likely to be in action. We are grateful to the local clubs and the Mayo League for making their excellent facilities available to us. It just remains for the college and the people of the town and county to turn out to support the action and make it a truly memorable occasion. GMIT Castlebar are hosting the event and are fortunate to have the co-operation of local clubs Manulla FC, Snugboro United, Ballyglass FC, Castlebar Celtic, and The Mayo League in allowing the use of their excellent facilities to play the games.”
GMIT Castlebar will host a formal launch of the competition next Monday, February 21 at 7pm by Padraig Carney Chairman of the CFAI joined by Dr Barbara Burns, Head of GMIT Castlebar, Adrian Forkan of Sponsors Umbro, Pat Quigley, PRO Mayo League, and Nigel Jennings Sports Officer, GMIT Castlebar, with representatives of GMIT Castlebar soccer team and local clubs in attendance.
