MoranÕs double keeps Rangers in hunt for silverware on three fronts

Corrib Rangers have never won a major trophy a Junior level but following an impressive away win over Athenry in the Connacht Junior Cup on Sunday, they are battling on three fronts in their chase for honours.

A second-half Barry Moran brace was adding to a Dave Smith opener as the visitors maintained their advantage throughout. The win sets up a home quarter-final tie for Rangers when they will meet the winners of the outstanding West United/Castlebar Celtic game.

Brendan O’Connor’s charges are second in the Premier League and still involved in the Michael Byrne Cup and with a big squad will no doubt be hoping to maintain their challenge on all fronts.

Athenry 2Corrib Rangers 3

For the second time this season, Corrib Rangers inflicted a home defeat on Athenry and it was a victory gained with more precision than possession as the home side generally controlled matters.

Gabriel Glavin’s side pressed from the opening exchanges and 90 minutes later they were still doing the same thing. Unfortunately from their point of view, they seldom got a clear sight of goal as an outstanding back Rangers back four generally kept them at bay throughout.

Behind them goalkeeper Daragh Geraghty impressed and while seldom directly threatened throughout, he dealt with his aerial duties in impressive fashion.

They took the lead on 22 minutes, after suffering an early drubbing up and down the park. The breakthrough was set up by a Mark Moran free-kick down the line to Simon Walsh, and his cross was finished at the near post by Dave Smith for the opener.

By that stage, Athenry should certainly have been ahead as Cathal Fahy somehow headed a Seamie Crowe free kick wide of the target after just two minutes.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.