Castlebar Celtic and Colm Gannon's piece in the Western People
I've said it before but I think Dykes will leave Castlebar Celtic in a poor state and an awful lot will depend on his replacement should he leave.He has signed far too many players and it hasn't been good for the league and no club at this level could survive on such spending.The goodwill in Castlebar might fade very quickly.There are so many clubs in and around Castlebar which draw on local support, e.g Snugboro. I hear Dykes has expressed his interest in the job at Limerick.I dont think he'll get it but he wants back into Eircom League club management and what becomes of Castlebar Celtic after that.
On an unrelated matter I read Colm Gannon's piece in the Western People in which he mentions the contribution of myself,Mossey,TB, and the Renovator I think. Colm might do better to concentrate on the issues in the Mayo League and what actually affects the league. In case he is reading this as no doubt he will again I'd like to look at some of the positives of the league which as usually local community efforts.I take great pride in the facilities we at the Ballyvary Blue Bombers are fortunate enough to use.I go down there under floodlights to train when I can and I'm very fortunate to be part of a good local club.I can also highlight the equally wonderful facilities at Swinford (of course) and Snugboro Utd, the latter of which I'm fortunate to have played on.We have come an awful long way at our club from McKeon's field and it takes an awful lot of continuous effort to ensure those facilities remain. Our ground is a very valuable local resource whether its for football hurling or walking the dog. We've been quite privileged in knowing our facilities were good enough for the Mayo team to use this season and hopefully its enough to ensure our future.
So much good to be taken from the existance of the league. Now how is that for now Colm, if you haven't already been dropped.;)
I think Celtic are odds on to win the league now.
If they manage to lose it, they will replace the Mayo team as the greatest bottlers of all time and that'll be some claim to fame. United have left themselves with far too much to do after losing to S&F. I'd say their best bet for anything is the AIB Cup and even that might prove to be beyond them. I hope I'm wrong but I can see United ending the season with nothing. Not great at all.
It's hard to put a finger on it really.
Maybe the last few years of non stop football finally caught up with them and that along with a few players having notions about themselves, could have put them in the position they're in now. It won't get better too quickly either with Danny Scahill, Gerry McLoughlin and Eoghan McHale all off to Austsralia in the near future and David Horkan going back to NUIG soon. Could be lean times ahead.