Mervue Utd hit Students for five to stay joint top of table

Mervue United and St Bernard’s are the early-season pace-setters at the summit of the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division and along with Corrib Rangers, Corrib Celtic and Colemanstown United remain unbeaten.

Both registered comfortable victories over the weekend, with Mervue United in particular, always in control in a 5-2 victory over NUI Galway. The home side were three up at the break, with Barry Moran claiming the opener, with the aid of a deflection, before Alex Lee linked up with Moran to fire the second past Jean Marie Taylor.

They added a third before the break when Keith McHugh – now operating in a striking role – slotted in a Lee cross at the back post to give them a commanding advantage at the interval.

The College side were a bit of a disaster in their opening game defeat against Maree/Oranmore, but gradually they are getting a selection together and with good local players like Eric Neary, Sean Gavin, Diarmuid Fadden, Kieran Staunton and Evan Boyce, they will improve as the campaign intensifies.

They pulled one back on the restart when Staunton fire a low effort past Peter Healy, before Moran got on the end of a Dillon Murphy pass to make it 4-1. A competitive second-half saw Sean Gavin reduce the margin once more, before Mervue had the final say when Simon Walsh scored a rebound, after Moran was denied his hat-trick by a smart Taylor save.

Corrib Rangers had goalkeeper John Egan to thank for rescuing a point in a 0-0 draw away against defending champions Athenry, as the big custodian guessed correctly to deny Colm O’Donovan from the penalty spot. The visitors also had another let off when a Paddy Quinn effort struck a post.

Hibernians required a second-half equaliser from Niall Whelan as they secured a 1-1 draw with unbeaten Colemanstown United. The visitors took a second-half lead when Damien Wynne headed in an Alan Finn corner, while just a Steve Rodden header threaten to give the home side any late reward in Bohermore.

Salthill Devon conceded very early and very late as they shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Corrib Celtic under lights in Drom. A Shane Concannon finish gave the Annaghadown-based visitors the lead, before Keith Shaughnessy levelled matters in the opening half from the penalty spot, after Brian Gaffney was fouled in the box.

The resumption saw Shaughnessy grab his second to put the home side ahead and matters looked to be going their way, as they chased a first win of the season until Chris Greaney levelled matters for Celtic with the last kick of the game.

Four second-half goals saw St Bernard’s come from behind to defeat Tuam Celtic 4-1 and in the process join Mervue United at the top of the table.

Scoreless at the break, it was Declan McHugh who fired the home side ahead, before Diarmuid Healy, Adrian Roche, Eoghan Roche and Jason Finn all found the range for the visitors, who have made an impressive start to the new campaign.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.