Derby defeat edges Hibernians closer to the top-flight relegation

It will take an extraordinary turnaround in the fortunes of Hibernians and Loughrea to escape the drop from the Premier League, but it is still mathematically possible.

In a game switched to the Astro in Colemanstown on Saturday, Renmore defeated Hibernians 2-1 with goals from Cian Specht and Conor Fahy. A Nathan Ward penalty pulled one back for Hibernians just after the restart, but despite a huge effort, they could not find any more reward in the finishing stakes and laying second from bottom of the table is now a perilous position.

The win for Renmore guarantees them Premier Division safely, as an impressive run of one defeat in nine games has carried them into a midtable position.

The weekend action got underway the previous evening in Drom, where second-half goals from Calym Crowe and Mikey Fox gave leaders Salthill Devon a 2-0 victory over Loughrea and in the process they increased their advantage over second placed Mervue United to five points, albeit having played a game more.

The top two are due to face each other in the final game of the season in mid-May, which could very well be a title decider.

CHAMPIONSHIP

There was a shock for Championship leaders Maree-Oranmore B as their 10-match unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt with a 6-0 loss away against relegation-threatened Corofin United, as goals from Cathal Silke (2), Gavin Connell, Darragh Silke, Dylan Wall, and Tony Gill gave the home side a merited success.

Despite going a goal down in the early exchanges, Corrib Rangers recovered well to register a 3-2 away win over Craughwell United. Nazim Ismailov with two and Paddy Rocke hit the target in the opening half, as the visitors led 3-1 at the break. Jamie Collins and Adon MacFarlane with a penalty found the net for the home side.

Without a win in five games, Knocknacarra's promotion prospects have long disappeared, and they needed a last kick of the game equaliser from Aric Janike to secure a point in a 2-2 away draw with Colemanstown United. Conor Creane got their opener, after goals from Aironas Kantauskas and Thady Moran twice gave the home side the lead.

Maree-Oranmore B’s loss has allowed second placed Corrib Celtic to move to within two points of them, as goals from Shane Concannon (2) and Dara McNamara saw them record a 3-1 away win over Mervue United B. Tommy Molloy got the home sides lone reply from the penalty spot.

Craughwell's defeat has allowed St Bernard’s back into the promotion race and a Matthew Finn free-kick was enough to give them a 1-0 victory over Dynamo Blues and with games in hand are very much in the mix.

Pictured: The West United squad that captured the U-21 Championship Cup in Emaonn Deacy Park on Tuesday night, beating Craughwell United on penalties after the game finished 1-1 (see p76). Back row, from left: Alan Cubbard, Ryan Cubbard, Finin McCormack, Brion Ruane, Rian Keating, Padraig Faherty, Ciarian Kinsella, Brìan O’Donnell, Micheal Brown, Oisin O’Toole, Evan O'Toole, Mason Samuels, and Niall McGinn, Front: William McDonagh, Philip Keogh, Alan Ryan, Fionn Dankart, Charlie Cox, Matthew Scarrif, Sean O’Connor, Finn Hiney, Sean Nolan, and Patrick Maughan. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.