Another success for Athenry but Mervue remain in command

Mike Rafferty

PREMIER Division leaders Mervue United continue to stride away at the top of the table, following a 3-0 away win over NUI Galway at Dangan.

Tommy Walsh fired them ahead with an opening half penalty and two cracking strikes by Paul Sinnott on the resumption eased them to a comfortable win. Gary O’Connor’s charges enjoy a three point advantage over second placed Corrib Rangers.

In contrast, the Westside outfit had to battle hard for their 3-1 home win over OLBC. A third minute goal by David Goldbey gave them the perfect start, with Paul Scally adding the second before the break.Boys Club went close on a number of occasions in the third quarter, but could not make a breakthrough and when Rangers Gary Murray finished a Barry Moran corner from close range just after the hour mark, it certainly killed it off as a real contest. The visitors got a late reward courtesy of a Danny McDonagh spot kick.

Six points behind the leaders Mervue, Athenry are certainly showing some decent form as they made it four league wins on the trot with a comfortable 5-0 success at home against St Bernard’s. In the process, Gabriel Glavin’s charges have scored 15 goals and goalkeeper Andrew Walsh has maintained his excellent form by conceding just once in that winning sequence.

The home side made the perfect start on Sunday when Brian Murphy latched on to a Cathal Fahy pass to despatch the opener past Denis Farragher. The visitors had a few opportunities to get back into the contest, but after Jamie Finn headed a good chance over, he was further thwarted by a smashing Walsh save.

Meanwhile, Athenry were not as wasteful in attack as they ran in two more goals before the break. Fahy got off the mark with a header following a Paddy Quinn delivery and Murphy continued his good form when cutting in from the flank before making it 3-0.

With the home side generally in command, Paddy Quinn and Ray Moran added further goals, as just Kevin Ruane threatened a breakthrough for Bernard’s, with a free kick that was well saved by Walsh.

Ollie Keogh notched a hat trick as Hibernians defeated Salthill Devon by 4-1 at Drom. The home side took an early lead through Mark Ronaldson, but a Paul Loughlin strike levelled matters before the break.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.