Rangers stay in the driving seat thanks to easy victory

JUST five of the 19 games down for decision at Junior level survived over the weekend as the elements continue to take its toll on the fixture list.

Westside hosted the only game in the Premier Division as leaders Corrib Rangers stretched their advantage at the top of the table with a comfortable success over Hibernians.

With First Division leaders West United not in action, the chasing pack closed the gap as just two games survived in this division, while table toppers Hibernians B maintained their winning sequence in the Third Division with a success over Ramblers.

Premier League

Corrib Rangers   3

Hibernians           0

After losing their unbeaten record in their previous outing when going down to St Bernard’s, this contest was a real challenge for Brendan O’Connor’s charges as they faced a Hibernians side who were on the periphery of the title race.

In response, Rangers were the dominant force for the majority of the action, but it was really only in the second half that they pulled away as two strikes ended the visitors challenge.

The Hibernians of recent years have really struggled to pose a challenge for trophies and on this occasion, minus the injured Joe Woods, Ronan Caldwell, Gary Kelly and Shane Hulgraine, their threadbare selection struggled to make a serious impact on the game.

In contrast, Corrib Rangers included new signing Derek O’Brien and the former Galway United performer displayed all the ability of old, with twists and turns, good deliveries and some errant finishing as well. Playing wide on the left, he gave right full Eoghan O’Regan a real baptism of fire.

The home side were in the ascendancy from the early exchanges and took the lead on 24 minutes with a splendid goal by Brian Connolly as the winger displayed a fine touch to control an Eric Browne long range free kick and his finish gave John Cotter no chance for a 1-0 lead.

The visitors should have levelled matters on the half hour mark when a strong Niall Whelan run to the by line set up the supporting Damien Carrick, but the midfielder could only direct a weak effort at the diving Conor Sweeney.

Rangers threatened to increase the margin before the break as Kevin Fitzpatrick and David Smith tested Cotter with shots, while the goalkeeper also excelled when advancing to deny Connolly in a one on one situation.

The resumption saw Danny McDonagh test Sweeney with a long range effort, but that was almost a highlight for the Boheremore outfit as the home side through Ronan Sweeney and John O’Brien controlled the second half.

Rangers were creating little of note until they were given a generous hand by Cotter as they made it 2-0 on 60 minutes. Firstly, the custodian was slow to clear a back pass that was half blocked by David Smith. The striker then picked up the loose ball and fired under the goalkeeper as his weak effort eventually ended up in the net.

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