Tuam Celtic clinch title in style
HAVING suffered just one defeat throughout the league, Tuam Celtic were rewarded for their excellent campaign when a 5-1 success over West Coast United on Saturday resulted in them being confirmed as Division Two champions.
For the duration of the season, Tuam have topped the table and 17 wins from their 21 games to date indicate their consistency throughout and while put under pressure on occasions from second placed Corrib Celtic B their 12 point advantage currently indicates the gulf between the sides.
On this occasion, three first half goals eased Celtic into a comfortable interval advantage over the Connemara side, before they added a brace on the resumption. Calan Tynan notched a hat trick, with Mike Swinhoe and Jamie Noone getting the other goals. Fechin Mitchell got the lone reply for West Coast United.
On a weekend of limited league action, Cois Fharraige sealed a third place finish in Division One with a 5-1 midweek victory over Oughterard, as Leon Mac Lochlainn, Liam Ó Loideáin, Mikey Ó Conaire, Padraic Mac Donnacha and Chris Ó Biadha found the net for them in Carraroe. James Gibney was on the mark for the visitors.
FAI Junior Cup
The outcome was as expected when hot favourites Colga travelled to Kiltormer and a meeting with Division Two side East Galway United in the FAI Junior Cup third round. A 5-0 success secured the Clarinbridge side a place in the last 64 of the National open draw.
The visitors enjoyed a two goal interval advantage as Conor Slevin and Lucas De Paula (pen) found the net before Jamie Cummins, Calum Browne, with the aid of a deflection, and Tom Daly added second half goals to ease their passage.
Elsewhere in the FAI Junior Cup, there was no joy for Corrib Celtic as goals in each half from Oriel Prat and Josh Hickey allowed Knocknacarra register a 2-0 victory in a game played in Tuam. The remaining contest between Bearna Na Forbacha and Moyne Villa scheduled for Sunday was postponed and will be played in midweek.
Schweppes Cup
Already confirmed as Division Two champions, Tuam Celtic are chasing a league and cup double following a 7-2 semi-final success over Kilshanvey United in midweek.
Three up at the break the home side were generally in command as Jamie Cleary and Frankie Connern both scored twice, while Conor Noone, Przemak Hamera and an own goal all added to their tally on the resumption. Conor O'Neill and Cian Davin responded with goals for the visitors. In the final, Tuam Celtic meet East Galway United with the game scheduled for May 14 in Eamonn Deacy Park.
Joe Ryan Cup
Loughrea played Hibernians on two previous occasions in league action this season and matters were competitive as the City side ran out single goal winners each time. On Saturday, they met in the semi-final of the Joe Ryan Cup with Hibernians winning by 3-1 this time around.
The home side were two up at the break before adding a third as Dan Duffy, Aidan Coyle and Adam Finn-Campbell all found the net for the home side in Bohermore. Daire Crowe got a late consolation score for the visitors. In the other half of the draw, Knocknacarra and Dynamo Blues are due to meet next week.
Women’s Action
Ciara Cunney scored a second half match winner for Athenry as they defeated Mervue United by 1-0 in the second round of the Women's FAI Amateur Cup.
Aided by an Aoife Berrigan hat trick, the Galway League defeated the Donegal League by 4-2 in the opening round of the FAI U-19 Inter-League competition.Ella Farrelly got the fourth for the home side in a game played in Headford.