Victory for Galway Inter League teams fails to prevent their exit

 Mike Rafferty

IT was a case of so near and yet so far for two Galway Inter Leagues sides over the weekend. Despite registering impressive win over Longford at U12 and U15 levels, both teams failed to reach the knockout stages of the National competitions.

Having gone through a four match unbeaten run, the U15s were unfortunate to lose out to table toppers Roscommon on goal difference, while the U12 side can pin their downfall to a defeat against Mayo in their first outing.

In First Division League action, Knocknacarra are making a real fight for their survival and a smashing away win over Maree/Oranmore moved them out of the bottom two for almost the first time this season.

Meanwhile, Mervue United B were crowned as Second Division champions following a 2-1 away win over Renmore, while Corrib Rangers B look the likely favourites to follow them up following an emphatic away win over Kinvara United.

U15 INTER LEAGUEGalway League 5Longford League 0

The outcome was emphatic, but yet the visitors made home custodian James Grealis work extremely hard for his clean sheet as the hosts came up short in order to catch up with group leaders Roscommon in the goal stakes.

Backboned by five players from Renmore, the home side were in command from the off and while they were forced to retreat for spells, there was always a superior quality about their play.

Galway took the lead on 24 minutes when Ross Murphy broke through the middle to fire past Darren Farrell and there was nothing the goalkeeper could do as Ryan Forde quickly added a second.

A smashing counter attacking breakaway by Forde created the third on 49 minutes when he ran from his own half before despatching past Farrell for a smart solo effort and a 3-0 advantage.

Longford certainly asked some question of the home side for a spell thereafter, but Grealis continued to excel as a series of saves denied Ben Ryan (twice), Aaron Nally and Joe Kelly.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.