Hibs show no mercy in Bohermore
WITH Mervue United looking to be in an unassailable position at the top of the Premier Division, the chase is on for the runners up position.
On Sunday morning, four second half goals helped Hibernians to a 4-0 victory over St Patrick’s in Bohermore. The home side were rapid out of the blocks on the resumption and goals by Keith Ward, Jason McDonagh and Ronan Caldwell had them three up by the hour mark before Dave Smith wrapped up the scoring in the closing stages for the second placed side.
St Bernard’s maintained their impressive form with a 4-2 win over East United. The sides were level at the break as Mike Tierney and Mark Lydon exchanges the goals, but the home side pulled away courtesy of efforts by Jason Finn and Craig Kennedy (two). Alex got a late consolation effort for the visitors.
Despite Gary Forde giving Athenry the lead at home to Corrib Rangers, goals in each half by David Goldbey and John O’Brien helped the City side to a 2-1 away victory in Moanbawn.
First Division
The promotion race is intensifying with table toppers Corrib Celtic the only certainties to go up from about five candidates at the moment.
One side making a real burst from the lower half of the table are Corrib Rangers B and two recent wins have marked them down as distant title contenders. On Sunday, they inflicted a first defeat of the league campaign on Corrib Celtic as a goal by player manager Ollie Rafferty gave them a 1-0 win in Annaghadown.
In midweek, goals by David McDonagh and Geoffrey Power helped Rangers B to a 2-0 away win over West United. Corrib Celtic were also in action on Thursday and goals by Mike O’Malley, Laurence Forde, Shane Concannon and Chris Greaney powered them to a 4-1 victory over Salthill Devon.
The weekend also marked a first league win of the campaign for bottom side Mervue United B as they emerged 4-2 winners against Colemanstown United. Badly depleted for the away contest, they gave a goalkeeping debut to striker Emlyn Coyne and after all these years in action, he might have found his true position.
Barry Connolly is another veteran who has scored a lot of goals down the seasons and, on Sunday, his classic finish from inside the box ensured a good day for the visitors as he notched the fourth. Dermot Warde (two) and Eoghan O’Boyle also found the range, while Damien Wynne and Gary O’Grady took the scoring honours for the home side.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.