Victory over Corrib Celtic eases Athnery’s relegation fears from the top flight

ON a weekend when the Galway League's success in the Oscar Traynor Cup final took centre stage, there was just one game in the Premier Division and it was an occasion when Athenry secured a crucial 3-1 win over Corrib Celtic and, in the process, moved themselves six point clear of bottom side Renmore.

Despite having lost seven of their 12 league games played this season, Athenry appear to have perfected the art of winning the contests against the teams around them and two wins over Craughwell United and Friday's success over the Annaghdown outfit has given them some breathing space as four teams vie to avoid the bottom spot.

While it was Corrib Celtic who broke the deadlock through John McDonnell, goals from brothers Aaron, with a header, and Morgan Leggett allowed Athenry enjoy a 2-1 interval advantage.

With the contest very competitive, it took a second goal from Morgan Leggett to wrap up the points for the home side as they moved three points clear of Celtic in a congested foot of the table.

Indeed, the top flight will provide some interesting games this weekend as the top four face off against one another. Tomorrow evening (Friday) in Maree at 8pm, joint leaders Colga will host Maree-Oranmore, while on Saturday (4pm) in Fahy's Field, Mervue United and Salthill Devon go head to head. A crucial relegation contest will take place in Annaghdown on Sunday morning at 11am, when Corrib Celtic welcome Renmore.

Division One

With Division One leaders Bearna Na Forbacha’s scheduled game against Galway Bohs postponed, it gave an opportunity for second placed Colemanstown United to go back to the top spot and they comfortably achieved that outcome with a 7-0 dismissal of Cregmore-Claregalway.

Thomas Carr, Tiernan Proulx and Shane Quirke all scored twice for the home side, with a Kerill Hardiman finish completing their tally. With the Division One title race between Colemanstown and Bearna Na Forbacha, just two points separate the teams with both having just four games left to play.

Aided by a Cailin McDonagh hat trick, Oughterard maintained their distant third position in the table with a 5-1 win over Athenry B as further goals from Edward Denver and Jamie Davin eased them to a comfortable success. However, they had less good fortune in a midweek game played in Carraroe, as they lost a two goal advantage after Johnny Heaney notched a brace in a 3-2 defeat against West United.

Cois Fharraige were comfortable winners as a Seamus De Burca hat trick was added to by Michaél De Burca and Evan Craughwell as they defeated Kiltullagh by 5-0 and, in the process, maintained their mid table position.

Pictured: Oscar Traynor Cup champions: The Galway team which defeated their Limerick counterparts in Sunday's final at Eamonn Deacy Park. Back row, left to right: Padraic Cunningham, Colm Whelan, Liam Murray, Conor Winn and Nathan Ward. Front row: Mark Ludden, Calylm Crowe, Timmy Molloy, Calum Browne, Cathal Coyne, and Enda Curran.