Five-star Hibs on the rise as new faces make impression

Local Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

Last season it took Hibernians five games before they picked up their first point of the campaign in the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division with a 1-1 draw with Athenry.

As we are all aware the season ended prematurely due to Covid-19 and maybe it did the city side a favour as they struggled in the bottom two of the table. Alongside them in the basement were Maree/Oranmore and indeed both of them can be grateful for the early conclusion of the season.

Maree/Oranmore traditionally make a good start to the campaign and maybe struggle a bit thereafter, but this season, matters look somewhat different as they lost by 5-1 to Hibernians when the sides met at the weekend on the new all-weather 4g pitch in Maree.

Boosted by a number of new signings such as Nathan Ward (defender) and his cousin Nathan Ward (striker); the return from injury of Caimin Rooney; and the ‘homecoming’ of former Galway United defender Stephen Walsh, who arrived midway through last season; added with the likes of long-serving Shane Hulgraine, who is a regular contributor in the finishing stakes, and it is clear that matters might have improved for Martin Devlin’s side.

In an interesting family grouping, eight of the 11 players who started for Hibernians on Saturday are related. Three Rooney brothers – Caimin, Niall and Liam were joined by two Walshs – Stephen and Shane – while the two Nathan Wards and goalkeeper PJ Ward are also all related.

Matters do not look to be running as smoothly for new Maree/Oranmore manager, Brendan O’Connor, and if Saturday’s result is anything to go by, his young side could be in for a difficult campaign.

It took Hibs just three minutes to make the initial breakthrough when former West United striker Nathan Ward fired home the opener and from there on, they were generally in command.

Shane Hulgraine (two), Niall Rooney and Shane Walsh all went on to add further goals, while it was a Dean Cullinane own goal just before the break that gave the home side their only reward.

The victory gives Hibernians four points from their opening two games and is a big step up from where they were last season. However, they will have to up their game even more this Sunday (11am) when they travel to Drom to take on a Salthill Devon side who must be licking their wounds after going down to an opening round defeat against Mervue United.

Maree/Oranmore will be at home again on Sunday morning when they host Loughrea.

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

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