Goals from McCann and Connolly not sufficient to take spoils

Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

THE last Sunday before Christmas normally provides some attractive contests in a limited programme and this year was no exception. With the much anticipated game between Athenty and Salthill Devon called off due to the City side requesting a postponement, just two games were down for decision in the Premier Division.

The match in Maree provided most of the drama as Maree/Oranmore dominated proceedings, went two up, missed a penalty and then had to settle for a point after an exciting 2-2 draw with Hibernians. Strengthened by the return of three players from Galway United U19 side – Ethan Connolly, Cody McCann and Ryan Corcoran –  they were the better team from the off, but struggled to turn their supremacy into goals.

With the tie still scoreless, another new signing Andrew Connolly had a penalty smartly saved by PJ Ward, but there was little the custodian could do as the Connolly brothers combined for Ethan to head in an Andrew cross for the opener. They added a second before the break when McCann latched on to a delivery over the top and dinked a neat effort over the advancing Ward to give Maree/Oranmore a 2-0 interval advantage.

However, it could have been so much better for the home side as numerous chances went abegging, with Andrew Connolly firing a close range effort over the crossbar, while Malachy Black smacked an effort off the crossbar. Hibernians were surviving, but got back into contention  when Jason McPhilbin pulled one back from the penalty spot, before the same player levelled matters at 2-2 with a close range shot midway through the second half.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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