Loughrea’s first-half blitz stuns leaders Athenry

Loughrea not only did themselves a huge favour in their quest to remain in the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division, but also opened up a real challenge at the top of the table with a 3-2 win over a previously unbeaten Athenry side on Sunday afternoon.

For the defending champions and table-toppers, it was a real sleepy start as they were in action for the first time in 10 weeks and appeared not to have awoken from their slumber as they found themselves three down at the break.

A typical spirited revival saw them pull back two late goals, but aided by an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Kris O’Shea and his back four of John O’Rourke, Neil O’Leary, Thomas Hoban and Ian Hanrahan, Loughrea held on for a deserved success.

It was leading scorer Darren Creaven who fired them ahead after some neat footwork gave him space on the edge of the box, before two absolute long-range crackers from Daniel Tully and Adam O’Riordan gave them a 3-0 interval advantage.

Athenry dominated possession on the resumption, and late goals by Declan Cullen and Ryan Shaughnessy gave them a token reward as they slipped to a first league defeat of the season. Their loss certainly opens up the Premier Division and while West United and Mervue United still trail the leaders, it certainly makes for a much more interesting conclusion to the season.

If Loughrea are doing wonders for themselves as they moved into the top half of the table, the same could be said of Corrib Celtic as they were winning for the third game in succession when they fashioned a 3-2 away win over Salthill Devon under lights in Drom.

The Annaghdown side left it late as young Cian Forde broke away from the cover to crack home a smashing last-minute winner and moved his side into a more comfortable midtable position. Chris Greaney and Laurence Forde got the earlier goals for the visitors, with Martin Coady and Josh Marvesley finding the range for the home side.

In Bohermore, a Brendan Tully free-kick cancelled out a Denis Lydon opener as Hibernians and Maree/Oranmore shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.