Another five-star display from runaway leaders

In league action Corrib Rangers can do no wrong as they extended their lead at the top of the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division to 12 points with a 5-1 drubbing of Salthill Devon at Drom on Sunday morning.

The only unbeaten team in the top flight were hitting five for the second league game in succession and while just a Martin Connell header separated the sides at the interval, four second half strikes certainly put the home side to the sword.

Ronan Quinlivan who also provided the assist for the opener released David Smith on the resumption and he broke clear to make it 2-0 with a low shot. Substitute Mark Joyce made a huge contribution on his introduction and successive passes set up leading scorer Barry Moran and the front man made it 4-0 with two classic finishes.

Quinlivan was rewarded for his enterprise by notching the fifth as he finished off a Conor Cleary cross. The home side got a late consolation goal to take the bare look off proceedings.

Rangers now lead the table by 12 points from Athenry, but the second placed side do enjoy two games in hand and it is difficult to see any other side being in contention as the league enters the final third of the season.

In the only other Premier League game played Mervue United were easy 4-1 winners over Bohemians at Millar’s Lane. Two up at the break through efforts by Colie Kelly and Stephen Cunningham, they went four up as Tommy Walsh and Derek McWalter both added to their tally, before Alan Byrnes got a late reward for the home side. The win moves Mervue into the top half of the table.

CONNACHTJUNIOR CUPEight Connacht Junior Cup ties were down for decision over the weekend, but only four games saw any action as walkovers and postponements resulted in a number of sides having no games.The much anticipated game between West United and Oranmore was postponed, as was the tie in Sligo where bad weather resulted in East United not having to travel to face Gurteen.

Neither Hibernians nor Athenry saw action either as their opponents, Calry Bohs and Strokestown, conceded walkovers, while the outcome in Colmanstown was inconclusive as their tie against Westport finished scoreless after 90 minutes, but extra time and penalties was not marked on the match card and the referee deemed the game over at the end of normal time.

The point of contention now is whether the game will continue in Colmanstown or if it goes to a replay in Westport.

At Dangan, NUI Galway were always chasing Carbury where it finished level at 2-2, but the Sligo side prevailed 4-3 following extra time. Twice the students trailed but on each occasion goals by Mikey Creane levelled matters. His opener was created by a Liam Grant clearance as he raced away from the cover to finish, while his second came courtesy of a late spot kick after he was upended in the box. However in extra time Carbury stretched their advantage to 4-2, before a Tristan Ryder goal in the closing minutes made it competitive until the final whistle.

Renmore also brought their game away to Coolera Rovers to extra time before two goals settled matters in favour of the Sligo side. It was a contest that could have gone either way, with Alan Concannon outstanding for the visitors.

Tuam Celtic advanced courtesy of a 2-0 win over Corrib Celtic.

For more, read page 28 of this week's Connacht Sentinel.