Crucial wins for Mervue and Athenry in Premier Division

Mervue United and Athenry made some decisive moves in the Brod Trill Premier Division over the weekend as crucial wins over Corrib Rangers and OLBC enhanced their title ambitions.

The defending champions took an early hold on proceedings when going two ahead and while Rangers closed the gap, they were always chasing a game that was controlled by the hosts at Fahy’s Field.

Athenry followed up their FAI Junior Cup victory over OLBC with another impressive display, as four second half goals eased them to a surprisingly comfortable 5-1 win on Sunday morning.

Mervue United 3Corrib Rangers 1

As the players trooped off a heavy pitch on Saturday afternoon, the Mervue United selection looked like they were involved in trench warfare.

The majority were caked in muck from head to toe, while in contrast a lot of the Rangers lads gear looked like it had just come out of the washing machine.

There was a sense of urgency and commitment about the home selection and a seventh minute lead goal just added to their confidence.

While both sides lined out in a 4-4-2 formation, there the comparison ended, as Mervue generally controlled the midfield sector and as a result offered the greater threat going forward. 

Recent games had seen both sides slip up after making an impeccable start over the opening six games, and Saturday’s contest indicated that Rangers have a bit to go to lift themselves out of their current rut.

Only for a spell just before and after the break did they look like offering a real threat and once Adam Lee crashed home Mervue’s third goal on 72 minutes, it killed off the visitors challenge. Sure, they continued to press and attack, but seldom got a clear sight of Brian O’Donoghue’s goal and as the clock wound down the home side were in little danger.

However, it all started off so differently as Mervue United certainly made the most of the early opportunities created.

The crash-bang-wallop tempo was still ongoing when the home side made the breakthrough on just seven minutes.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.