By Kevin McAteer
Cleary Celtic have moved to the top of the Carnbane Football League Premier Division after an emphatic 6-2 victory over Mayobridge at Olympic Park.
Saturday’s result maintains Cleary’s perfect start to the 2026/27 league campaign, with three wins from three sending them two points clear of Newry Celtic at the summit.
Elsewhere, Villa Rovers picked up their first points of the season with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ballyholland.
Cleary maintain 100% record
Cleary entered the weekend sitting just one point behind Newry Celtic but with a game in hand, and they made full use of it.
Their 6-2 win against Mayobridge takes Cleary onto nine points from three matches and gives them an impressive +12 goal difference.
It continues a remarkable attacking start to the campaign. Cleary opened their league season by putting six past Ballyholland and have now scored six again against a Mayobridge side that had been unbeaten going into Saturday’s encounter.
Cleary are now the only Premier Division side with a 100% winning record.
Newry Celtic drop to second without playing
Newry Celtic did not add to their three league fixtures on Saturday and consequently drop into second place.
They remain unbeaten and have enjoyed an impressive start themselves, sitting on seven points with a +11 goal difference.
That leaves just two points separating the two Celtic sides at the top and sets up an intriguing early battle for first place.
Villa Rovers off the mark
Villa Rovers secured their first victory and first points of the campaign with a 3-0 win over Ballyholland.
The result moves Villa into fourth position on three points, ahead of Millburn United on goal difference.
For Ballyholland, however, it has been an extremely difficult opening to the season.
They remain bottom after three defeats from three, with a goal difference of -15.
Premier Division results – Saturday 5 September
Cleary Celtic 6-2 Mayobridge
Villa Rovers 3-0 Ballyholland
Premier Division table
Pos Club P GD Pts
1 Cleary Celtic 3 +12 9
2 Newry Celtic 3 +11 7
3 Mayobridge 3 -3 4
4 Villa Rovers 2 +2 3
5 Millburn United 2 -2 3
6 Rossowen 2 -5 0
7 Ballyholland 3 -15 0
It remains very early in the 2026/27 season, and the uneven number of games played means the table will continue to shift.
But after three rounds for the leading sides, Cleary Celtic have emerged as the early team to catch, while Newry Celtic remain just two points behind and unbeaten.
Mayobridge occupy third on four points, while Villa Rovers’ first victory has brought them into the developing battle in the middle of the table.
Clanrye News and Sport will continue to follow the Carnbane Football League throughout the 2026/27 campaign, bringing you the latest local results, tables and league developments.