Champs Athenry suffer blow in bid to retain league title

Date Published: {J}

THE defending Premier League champions Athenry were struck a blow in their quest to defend their title on Sunday last when they went down by 2-1 at home to Hibernians. A David McDonagh header gave the visitors an interval advantage, but Barry O’Donovan got on the end of a corner from brother Alan to level matters on the restart.

In the closing minutes, Rob O’Grady was denied by the crossbar, with Declan Cullen failing to force home the rebound and, in a double whammy, Hibernians immediately build a counter attack at the other end with Keith Ward sending Danial Small away to tuck home the winner.

Oranmore were the big winners of the weekend as they picked up three points without kicking a ball. Just a few hours before their Saturday afternoon kickoff against West United, they were informed that the City side was conceding the game due to having insufficient players available.

That walkover moved them within three points of leaders Mervue United, but they also enjoy two games in hand. Athenry lie third, but while they trail by eight points they enjoy three games in hand. It should ensure an exciting finale to the season in the weeks ahead.

St Bernard’s joined NUIGalway in joint fourth position when they picked up a valuable point in a 1-1 draw with Salthill Devon in Abbeyknockmoy. While it was Devon who took an opening half lead, a JP Keary equaliser in the closing stages ensured parity was a fitting conclusion.

There was no joy for Dynamo Blues in Westside where a David Smith goal in the second half was enough to give Corrib Rangers a 1-0 win over their Tuam visitors. Vinny Carton went closest to a reward for Blues, but was denied by a smart Dara Geraghty save.

However the day’s busiest performer was visiting goalkeeper Dave Morris who performed heroics as a series of superb second half saves kept the home side at bay as they threatened to overrun the relegation threatened bottom side.

FIRST DIVISION

Though First Division leaders East United maintained their top spot with a 1-0 win over a weakened St Patrick’s side, second placed Corrib Celtic kept pace as Chris Greaney and Laurence Forde both scored twice in their 4-1 away win over Bohemians.

It was a bad few days for Colmanstown as an Aidan Naughton goal gave Bohemians a 1-0 win in a midweek meeting and, on Sunday last, they went down by 4-1 against Mervue United B. Emlyn Coyne (2) and

Keith Long (2) were on the mark for the visitors, with  just Ollie Crowe replying for the home side.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.