Maree/Oranmore and Corrib Rangers claim crucial wins

Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

Hibernians 2

Corrib Rangers 3

Two years ago, Jimmy Jennings hung up his boots after he had offered a wonderful service to his local club Corrib Rangers, and before that, OLBC. Mainly used as a central defender, but also as a temporary striker, he was 38 at the time and had paid his dues to both clubs.

Of course, the current season is a strange one, with just a one round league and confusion about relegation and as the brief season wound down, Corrib Rangers were in trouble in the lower regions of the table.

A call to Jennings by manager Dave Daly saw the veteran return and after making an initial substitute appearance in a 1-1 draw with Maree/Oranmore, he was introduced on the half hour mark on Sunday in Bohermore and changed the course of the game with two smashing goals.

An equalising header in first half additional time was powerful and morale boosting, before he struck for the winner just four minutes from time.

A lot was at stake in the last game of the Premier Division season. A win for either of the two teams in Bohermore had the potential to move them from the relegation zone – depending on results elsewhere; while draw was no good to either as they would remain in the bottom two.

As matters transpires, the wins for Rangers and Maree/Oranmore has seen them join St Bernard’s on eight points and if there is relegation, it will take a play-off to decide who goes down with bottom of the table Hibernians.

It was the home side who looked the better outfit in the early exchanges, but they struggled to turn possession into opportunities. They did, however, take the lead on 14 minutes when striker Nathan Ward (striker) pass released Alan Conneely and the winger cut in before firing past Gary Martin for a 1-0 advantage.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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