Mervue United get defence of title off to a winning start

Despite the opening half defiance of Salthill Devon goalkeeper Cormac Connolly, the defending Hygiene Division champions Mervue United eventually saw off the challengers’ resistance at Fahy’s Field on Sunday, running out 3-1 winners thanks to a commanding second-half display.

In a less than impressive performance by Corrib Rangers , a brace by new signing David Goldbey helped them annex all the points on offer in a 2-1 away win over 10-man Athenry, while the spoils were shared at Castle Park as newly promoted OLBC came from behind to draw 1-1 with East United.

Mervue United 3Salthill Devon 1

Three goals in a 15 minute spell in the second half saw Gary O’Connor’s charges make a winning start to their new campaign, as a young determined Devon side made them battle very hard for the win.

While it was Mervue who generally enjoyed overall dominance, they almost found themselves a goal behind after just four4 minutes when goalkeeper Brian O’Donoghue had to react well to keep out a Ope Owaru close range flick.

It was only in the closing minutes of the half that the home side began to exert some real pressure on goal and they had what looked like a good penalty claim waved away on 36 minutes when Noel Tyrell appeared to upend Dean McDonagh in the box.

However that was more than balanced out two minutes from the interval when Colie Kelly went down under the challenge of Dami and surprisingly a spot-kick was offered on this occasion. Justice was certainly done when Connolly made a brilliant save when diving to his right to keep out Darvin Dowling’s well-struck penalty.

The young custodian was certainly kept busy in the closing minutes of the half as a smart reflex stop kept out a Stephen Cunningham header, before Eric Browne was somehow denied from close range as the defender was left all alone at the far post following a Brian Meaney corner.

Mervue lost the services of central defender Keith McHugh, when he had to depart the fray with a head wound after putting his head where he shouldn’t with a diving header.

The main pressure from Devon generally came from set-pieces that produced no reward, while an Enda Dunne shot drifted off target in their closest effort on goal.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.