Coady hat-trick helps Devon to back-to-back league wins

By Mike Rafferty

The opening months of the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division campaign provided lean picking for Salthill Devon as they propped up the table and collected just two points from their opening five games.

A first win finally arrived against Colemanstown United in late November and was the first sign that a recovery might be under way, but it was a false dawn as defeats against Corrib Rangers and Mervue United followed.

However, a recent change of management has offered a fresh insight, and back-to-back wins in their most recent games has moved them from the basement to a slightly more comfortable mid-table position.

A last minute penalty helped them to a 2-1 home win over St Bernard’s two weeks ago, before they made the perfect start at the weekend when scoring twice in the opening minutes in a 4-1 win over Hibernians.

Within 30 seconds of kick-off, Martin Coady had them ahead from close range and the second was no different as he again got the better of Robbie Hannon from inside the box. Hibernians responded well to the set-back and enjoyed plenty of possession without ever seriously threatening James Keane.

However, they did pull one back a minute after the restart through Evan Deacy, but the elusive second was beyond them and it was Devon who added to their tally when Coady completed his hat-trick as he slipped the third past Hannon.

Young John Kennedy scored a rare goal as he added the fourth as the home side scored almost as many goals in one game, as they did in their previous nine contests.

Premier League

Premier Division leaders Athenry enjoyed a comfortable 6-1 win over Corrib Rangers on Saturday afternoon, as they increased their advantage at the top of the table to seven points. While the home side were two up at the break, the visitors had a great opportunity to pull one back just after the restart, but Paul Smith blazed a penalty well wide of the target. The miss just compounded Rangers issues as the squad struggle in the lower regions of the table.

Thereafter, Athenry continued to dominate as they pulled away to a comfortable success. Conor Cannon notched a hat-trick, with Cathal Fahy, Gary Forde and Pat Farrell also finding the target for the home side. Smith eventually got a late consolation goal for the city side.

Elsewhere there were slim pickings in the Premier League as games in Annaghdown and Loughrea were postponed due to unplayable pitches. Unfortunately, Corrib Celtic and Mervue United and the referee all had to turn up on Sunday morning, before their game was called off, after four games were played on the two pitches the day before.

The Loughrea and St Bernard’s contest also fell by the wayside, but at least this was called off early, with no one having to make a fruitless journey.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.