Corrib Celtic upset odds by toppling West United

By Mike Rafferty

UP until last Sunday, the Premier Division had provided little joy for struggling Corrib Celtic. A week previously they had lost a big six pointer against bottom of the table Hibernians, but in Annaghadown on this occasion, they caused one of the biggest shocks of the season to date with a 3-1 success over title challenging West United.

While United enjoyed plenty of possession and created opportunities mainly through set pieces, they could not breach the home rearguard who worked tirelessy to keep the city side at bay. The teams shared opening half penalties as David Coen put the home side ahead from the spot after Conor Maloney was fouled in the box, before Ronan Caldwell did likewise at the other end to get the better of Eoin Curry after another infringement in the area.

On the resumption, it was Corrib Celtc who had more of a cutting edge about them and they took the lead courtesy of an own goal when a Ryan Forde cross deflected off a West defender and looped over John Cotter for a 2-1 advantage. The home side sealed the win when a Cian Forde delivery was finished by Eoin Reddington to give them a second win of the season and move them away from the bottom two in the table.

Salthill Devon maintained their second position with a commanding 7-0 away win over a Loughrea side that are struggling somewhat after the loss of so many players in the off season. The visitors were four up at the break as they eased to a comfortable success.

Corrib Rangers 1

Athenry 4

After an opening half that saw the sides cancel one another out, Athenry stepped up a few gears on the resumption with three second half goals easing them to a merited victory as they remain third in the Premier Division table, just two points behind table toppers Mervue United.

The visitors made the perfect start when the impressive Cole Connolly did all the hard work himself after getting on the end of a long ball, before rounding Derek Grffin and slotting the opener into an empty net. Newly promoted Rangers levelled matters midway through the half when central defender Eric Browne got on the end of a Mark Wynne free kick.

The resumption saw the visitors at their most efficient as they dominated proceedings and were rewarded with three cracking goals. Elliott Langan is one of a new generation of young Athenry players who are beginning to make an impression and the left winger was certainly an outstanding performer throughout. He timed his run into the area to perfection on 61 minutes to give the visitors the lead, after Connolly and Cathal Fahy did the spade work down the right.

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

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