Mervue Utd the team to beat as league table takes shape

Date Published: {J}

Mike Rafferty

Seven games into the new season and clear patterns are certainly emerging in the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division.

Defending champions Mervue United are three points clear at the top and certainly look to be the team to beat as they are the only unbeaten side left in the top flight.

St Bernard’s and Corrib Rangers complete the top three and while their positioning is no surprise, the location of Athenry and Oranmore in the lower half of the table and well adrift of the leaders is somewhat alien to their normal standing in the game.

The reality is that both sides have been weakened by natural changes as a number of players are not available for Athenry, while a management change at Oranmore meant a restructuring for that club also.

With much the same personal as last season, Hibernians have disappointed a little and for a side who challenged to the final weeks of the last campaign, they haven’t exactly set the world alight to date.

East United complete the top half of the table and have suffered just one defeat in seven outings. No doubt their positioning is exceeding expectations.

Corrib Celtic started in remarkable fashion with a home draw against Mervue United, while a win over Hibernians also shows potential, but they have slipped up when expectations were greater against fellow lowly opposition.

However in fairness to them they play some smart football and in players like Ronnie Newell, Brian Qualter and Chris Greaney they have some good players.

Based on the number of teams at the club, it is difficult to have expectations for Salthill Devon. In reality they are the club’s third side after the Airtricity League team and U-19 side and while they can use players from the latter squad, a large turnover of players does not help stability.

While the students of bottom side NUI Galway have played just four games, they will be concerned that they have failed to pick up even a point from those contests. They play some pretty football, but lack a cutting edge, which is not helping their attempt to get off the mark.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.