Weekend ties leave way clear for Michael Byrne Cup semis
By Mike Rafferty
SALTHILL Devon, Athenry, Corrib Rangers and East United will contest the Michael Byrne Cup semi finals after all registered quarter-final wins in various degrees of comfort over the weekend.
Westside probably produced the most compelling fixture as Corrib Rangers and Loughrea met for the second weekend in succession and while the outcome was the same, the contest was a much closer affair as the City side maintained their dominance over the visitors as they prevailed by 3-2.
Indeed, the match-winner came with just a minute to spare as the home side secured their second deflected goal of the day to see off a visiting side who led by 2-1 at the break.
With a proven attacking ability, Loughrea have plenty of firepower and they took the lead when Danial Tully set up Darren Creaven for the opener. The equaliser came courtesy of a Brian Connolly shot that found the net with the aid of a deflection.
The visitors restored their advantage before the break when Gary Madden rose highest in the box to get on the end of a Pat Nagle free kick and powered a header past Conor Sweeney.
Corrib Rangers turned the game around in the second half and they levelled matters just past the hour mark when David Goldbey went down softly in the box and John O’Brien duly despatched the resulting penalty past Chris O’Shea to make it 2-2.
With O’Brien and Connolly very much to the fore, the home side poured forward thereafter, but were repelled on numerous occasions by the excellence of ‘keeper O’Shea as he made a series of terrific saves. Loughrea too had their moments in attack, with Creaven extending Sweeney at the expense of a corner.
Rangers eventually made the pressure tell when Connolly’s misdirected effort from almost on the end line got a touch off a defender to loop over O’Shea and give the home side a dramatic 3-2 win.
Athenry were always in command as they defeated an understrength Corrib Celtic by 3-1 in Annaghadown. The visitors were two up at the break as Alan O’Donovan controlled a Gary Forde pass on the edge of the box before firing the opener past James Healy.
Indeed the goalkeeper was proving to be a serious threat to an Atheny win, as a series of top class saves kept the contest alive with the visitors were proving to be the stronger side on the day.
Joey Byrne set up Forde for the second before the break and while Corrib Celtic pulled one back when Enda Callanan got on the end of a Cian Forde delivery, Athenry always had more firepower and Colm O’Donovan made the game safe with the third just past the hour mark.
Salthill Devon looked to be in trouble when they were reduced to ten men against Renmore, with the game in the balance at 1-1. However, two late Martin Coady goals were enough to see them through by 3-1 eventually. A Brian Conlon goal gave the home side the lead at Drom, before a Colie Ridge free kick levelled matters for the First Division leaders.
It’s holiday time and Gary Mullin’s NUI Galway side were really feeling the effects as they just had eleven players for their contest with East United at Dangan. However, when they were reduced to ten due to injury, it proved to be their downfall as East United took over in eventually running out 3-0 winners. Mike Mongan (two) and Emmanuel Saah were on the mark with the late goals for the visitors.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.