Geraghty’s penalty save keeps Corrib Rangers top of the table

Date Published: 22-Oct-2012

Daragh Geraghty came to the rescue of Corrib Rangers on Sunday morning with a late penalty save as the Westside club maintained their perfect record when making it six wins on the trot in the Premier League with a success over OLBC.

Mervue United kept pace when they came from behind to see off Salthill Devon at Drom, while Athenry caused a mild surprise when two opening half goals helped them fashion an away win over St Bernard’s in Abbeyknockmoy.

The spoils were shared in Castle Park as East United came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with NUI Galway, while at South Park, Hibernians’ away win over West United could certainly be considered a major shock.

OLBC 0

Corrib Rangers 1

While a David Smith opening half goal was to settle this contest at the Jesuits, the decisive moment of the game came in the final minutes when the home side were awarded a penalty and Daragh Geraghty dived to his left to keep out Geoffrey Power’s spot kick.

It was a hard-earned victory for Brendan O’Connor’s side and like in previous games against other opposition, Boys Club certainly didn’t make it easy for the visitors.

They started well and tried to probe from all sides, but the rewards were slender as little was created.

The match winner came just on the half-hour mark when a John O’Brien pass released David Smith behind the cover and he made it 1-0 as he tucked a neat effort under the advancing Derek Griffin.

Ger Bane and Gary Murray continued to impress at the back for Rangers as they kept an impressive OLBC attack under the thumb, and indeed it was the visitors who looked the more likely side to strike again.

David Goldbey and Bane had efforts blocked on the line, while Smith had two further opportunities to increase the advantage but spurned both.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.