Hulgraine hat-trick lifts Hibs clear of the relegation zone

SOCCER WRAP WITH MIKE RAFFERTY

Hibernians 3

Maree/Oranmore 2

After coming up through the ranks from schoolboy to junior level, Shane Hulgraine has always stayed loyal to his local surroundings and while recent years has seen Hibernians struggle in the lower half of the Premier Division, they continue to successfully battle to avoid the drop from the top flight.

On Saturday afternoon in Bohermore, the striker got some of his most important goals for the club when a cracking hat-trick allowed them to hold off a Maree/Oranmore side that did not know when they were beaten. The goals were all classy, well-taken efforts by a talented player who always has a sharp eye for a goal.

Hibs took an early advantage when Mikie Browne threaded a neat through ball to Hulgraine, and his sharp close-range finish put the home side 1-0 up. They then survived some anxious moments as Liam Rooney took a Malachy Black effort off the line, before Eoghan McDonagh fired a good chance over the bar.

A set-play set up Hulgraine for his second, when a throw-in eventually arrived at his feet in the box and he drilled a low left footed effort past Jack Grealish to make it 2-0. Andrew Connolly then threatened at the other end, before Malachy Black pulled one back just before the break.

The second half was equally competitive, before Hibernians gave themselves some breathing space with another cracking goal, as Hulgraine met a left-wing cross on the volley and completed his hat-trick in stunning fashion.

Eoghan McDonagh converted a penalty for the visitors to leave matters at 3-2, and the closing stages provided some anxious moments for the home side, as Maree/Oranmore struck the woodwork twice, while Grealish sent a late effort wide.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.