Oranmore strike seven to stay in title contention

Date Published: {J}

Mike Rafferty

THE agendas of those at the top and bottom of any league are the same as they chase the points that will either lead to honours or for those in the lower regions, escape relegation. Such was the scenario in Tuam on Sunday morning as Dynamo Blues hosted Oranmore in the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division.

Blues are propping up the table, but confidence was high following a 3-0 drubbing of West United the previous weekend, while Oramore have more lofty ambitions as they vie with Mervue United and Athenry for a title challenge.

The outcome of 7-2 in favour of the visitors flatters them a little as the contest was in the balance as the sides were level at 1-1 as the game entered the final moments of the opening half. However goals in quick succession each side of the break was to turn the tide in Oranmore’s favour and as the home side capitulated, the visitors went nap as they pulled away with ease.

Now it was Oranmore who broke the deadlock early on when Eric Lavine headed home, but the home side got a deserved reward when Mark Sweeney linked up with John Farragher before firing just inside the far post. Blues tried to build on this goal and performed well, but just failed to make a breakthrough.

On the stroke of half time, Lavine got his second when he powered home a free kick and the dye was cast for the home side just after the restart when a long throw into the box took two deflections before ending up in the net off Will Saintey. It was the score that killed the home side.

There after Oranmore just pulled away as Dave Devlin (2), Alan Barrett and Lonan O’Farrell added to their tally. A Dean Fallon goal was of little consolation to Dynamo Blues as their task at the foot of the table remains difficult, while the visitor’s reward was a move up to second place – five points behind Mervue United, but with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Athenry slipped up when held to a 2-2 draw by West United. They took an early lead at home to the City side when Stephen Rabbitte fired in a rebound after Paul Cullen had a header saved by Tony Cooke.

However West responded well and a Mathias O’Malley free kick levelled matters before a Seamie Rabbitte penalty had the visitors ahead at the break.

Athenry quickly regained parity on the resumption as Brian Mannion levelled matters with a low shot just before the hour mark.

Despite a fair degree of pressure in the closing stages, the hosts were not able to add to their tally and the loss of two points meant that they drop to third position in the table. However it was the dismissal of talisman midfielder Seamie Crowe for two yellow card offences that was the main talking point afterwards, but he is expected to be available for their FAI Junior Cup tie away to Clonmel at the weekend.

Leaders Mervue United had no such problems away to Corrib Rangers and second half goals by Vinny O’Connor and Keith McHugh eased them to a merited 2-0 victory.

While the sides were level at the break, Hibernians cracked home three without reply in the second half to run out comfortable winners 4-1 over NUIGalway at Dangan. Keith Ward with two penalties, Mixer Devanney and Shane Maher were all on the mark for the visitors, while Mikey Creane got the students’ lone reply.

FIRST DIVISION

With a Kenny Lydon brace helping First Division leaders East United to a comfortable 2-0 away win over Crumlin, fellow promotion contenders MacDara required a win to keep pace, following their setback against Corrib Celtic the previous weekend.

Matters seemed to be going in their favour away to Corrib Rangers B when Gary O’Donnell gave them an interval advantage, but a cracking finish by Kevin Flynn tied up matters at 1-1 midway through the second half.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune