Athenry regain the league title in style

Athenry 4Corrib Rangers 0

Mike RaffertyIN MOANBAUN

ATHENRY just don’t seem to do losing and at Moanbaun on Sunday last, they displayed all the quality required of champions when they defeated long-time table toppers Corrib Rangers and, in the process, clinched a third Brod Trill Premier Division title in four seasons.

The unbeaten city side were chasing a first ever league crown and had a two point cushion going the game, but any plans they might have had went out the window after just two minutes when Athenry took an early lead. And no matter how much Rangers dominated possession thereafter, they struggled to break down a home rearguard who were outstanding throughout.

Indeed, that has being the story of the campaign as Sunday’s victory was Athenry’s 11th league win in succession and the perfect antidote to two losses in a week way back in September. Indeed, Rangers were the last team to inflict a defeat on them and since January, Athenry goalkeeper Kieran Kilkelly has kept an amazing seven clean sheets, with Oranmore the only side to get a goal past him in 2010.  

This was an occasion when Rangers needed time to settle down early on and play their way into the game. However, when goalkeeper John Egan failed to hold a Cathal Fahy shot after just two minutes, Gary Forde gleefully side footed home the opener from ten yards to put the home side ahead.

In fairness, Rangers responded well as they took the game to the home side at every opportunity. However, from the early exchanges a problem for them was that the prolific front two of Barry Moran and David Smith were not getting any space as the home back four of Emmett Byrne, Ronan Kinneen, Stephern Rabitte and Paddy Quinn marshalled them very well.

With their chief marksmen wrapped up, Rangers’ goal prospects were limited and such was to prove to be the case. Simon Walsh was one of the few Rangers players to lift his game for the occasion and, on six minutes, he whacked an Ollie Rafferty pass off the crossbar before he had another blaster blocked by Gary Forde in the area.

Fine early wing play by Martin Connell and Rafferty saw a good supply of ball into the box, but shooting chances were rare as the hosts dropped deep to cover all the angles. Set pieces were another good supply line for the visitors, but here Rangers were guilty of poor finishing.

The Athenry box certainly saw a lot of action in the opening quarter, but there was to be no reward for the visitors. Athenry lifted the siege as the half advanced, but just a Cathal Fahy header following an Alan O’Donovan corner threatened another breakthrough.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.