Late Crowe brace steals the show for Athenry FC

Date Published: {J}

MIKE RAFFERTY

Even though their Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division title ambitions appear to be long gone, Athenry showed that they are warming up to be more competitive in the second half of the season as they defeated East United by 5-2 in Raheen on Sunday.

Elsewhere in very limited league action, a good second half performance helped Medtronic defeat Barna Furbo by 3-2 in Roscam and in the process they joined Loughrea at the top of the Third Division.

Athenry 5

East United 2

While Athenry are gradually getting back to full strength, it must be stressed that it took two late goals by Seamie Crowe to put a rather flattering outlook on this contest on Sunday morning.

Newly promoted East United have been very competitive in their first ever season in the top flight and this contest was very much in the balance as the home side held on to a 3-2 advantage as the game entered the final quarter.

However the late goals from Crowe put some distance between the sides and in fairness the final outcome was not a fair reflection on the ninety minutes proceedings.

The home side took an early lead when Crowe set up Cathal Fahy and the recently returned striker fired home the opener, before Dave Cummins headed an equaliser to leave the sides tied at 1-1 at the break.

Fahy and Benny Lawless were instrumental in setting up Conor Cannon for the second, before Alan O’Donovan cracked one home from twenty five yards to make it 3-1.

Christian Ryan and Martin McDonagh impressed as East played their way back into contention and were rewarded with a David O’Boyle finish to tighten matters at 3-2.

However when Crowe linked up with Lawless to fire home number four, it gave Athenry a degree of comfort and when new signing Ray Moran was upended in the box, Crowe sealed the win with the fifth from the spot.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.