Oscar Traynor side face a difficult task after losing deduction appeal

Mike Rafferty

Saturday’s Oscar Traynor meeting with Limerick in Terryland Park at 7pm eventually presents the Galway League with an opportunity to see some action on the pitch and after a campaign dominated by postponements, objections and administration, one wonders if it is a step too far for a side who go into the game at a huge disadvantage. 

Having lost their appeal against the loss of points following their refusal to travel to an alternative venue in Ennis, Galway head into this game with a minus goal difference, while Limerick were convincing 4-0 winners over the Clare League in their only outing to date.

The home side will be backboned by a strong Mervue United representation, while Athenry, Hibernians, NUI Galway and Corrib Rangers also have players on the squad.

In contrast, the Galway Youth side are in a much stronger position as they head to Lecarrow to face the Roscommon League in their final group game on Saturday afternoon at 2pm.

With the host’s having lost by 1-0 to the Clare League and the Tribesmen having triumphed by a 3-2 margin against the Banner side, they go into the game in a position of strength and in fact a draw would be enough to see them qualify for the knockout stages.

Brian Duhan, Richard Fahy and Eric Gannon were all on the mark for Galway on that occasion and hopefully Brian Laffey will be in a position to field a stronger side this weekend as he was deprived of players from Mervue United and Salthill Devon on that occasion, due to their U-19 League commitments.

LEAGUE ACTIONA limited league programme saw just two games played in the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division and bottom side Salthill Devon gained a valuable point in a 1-1 draw with East United at Drom.

The opening half was a very open affair and just before the break, Kenny Lydon fired the visitors ahead when he was first to the rebound after Martin Mannion made a terrific save to keep out a Christian Ryan free kick.

Ryan threatened again just after the restart, but the goalkeeper was equal to the task, but the reality is that for the majority of the second half, Devon played all the football and it took them a long time to get a reward.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.