Devon edge closer to top as Hibs fall to foot of table

Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

With the inclement weather allowing just a limited weekend programme, the games played were very significant as Salthill Devon moved to within a point of Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division leaders Mervue United with a home success over Corrib Rangers.

In the lower half of the table, Hibernians went down to defeat against St Bernard’s and in the process slipped to the foot of the table alongside Maree/Oranmore.

In the FAI Junior Cup, Athenry produced a fairytale recovery as they came from 3-0 down before eventually seeing off Manulla 5-4 after extra time and in the process moved into the last 16 of the competition where they were presented with a home draw against Dublin side, Crumlin United.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Salthill Devon 3

Corrib Rangers 1

Salthill Devon recovered from an uncharacteristic sluggish first-half on the all-weather pitch in Drom last Friday night, to really up their performance on the resumption as three second-half goals eventually eased them to a merited victory and in the process maintained the only unbeaten record in the Premier League.

Rangers are not exactly enjoying the best of good fortune on their return to the top flight, but in difficult wind conditions impressed as a David Smith goal gave them a 1-0 interval advantage with an effort from the edge of the box.

The home side kick-started their recovery on the resumption when Josh Marvesley levelled matters with a header after getting on the end of a James Allen cross. They took the lead when Jason Murphy and Shane Concannon linked up to release exciting young prospect Matthew Murray and he dinked an elegant chip over the advancing Shane Richardson to make it 2-1.

Gearoid Ó Leidhinn set up Michael Lee for the third as he followed up on his midweek two goals tally against West United to seal the win and in the process set up an intriguing title battle with Mervue United and Athenry.

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

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