Sinnott hat-trick keeps Mervue Utd top of the Premier Division

Date Published: 18-Mar-2013

Paul Sinnott notched Mervue United’s first goal of the season back in August and the cultured midfielder hasn’t stopped scoring since as his hat-trick on Saturday made it 13 for the season as the Western Hygiene Supplies Premier Division leaders maintained their top spot with a one sided 5-0 win over an under-strength OLBC.

At Drom, second placed Corrib Rangers had it easier than the 3-2 margin suggests against Salthill Devon, while the students of NUI Galway eased their relegation worries a little with a comfortable 3-0 away win over Hibernians.

Corrib Rangers 3

Salthill Devon 2

Despite home custodian Juline Yaho having an absolute blinder, goals from Paul Scally(2) and David Goldbey that sealed this win for Rangers as they kept the pressure on Mervue in the challenge for honours.

That it took the visitors until the 33rd minute to make a breakthrough was solely down to the ability of Yaho to be in the right place at the right time, as a series of reflex saves was to thwart Rangers.

Controlling the early exchanges, Goldbey flashed a Moran cross off the crossbar and then returned the rebound at Yaho. The custodian then proceeded to frustrate Dave Smith and Scally with more close range saves, before outstanding central defender Enda Cullen produced one of many goal saving blocks in the penalty area.

The life saving of Yaho and Cullen could not continue and two set-piece goals before the break eventually gave Rangers a merited 2-0 advantage.

A Simon Walsh free-kick in the 33rd minute was met by the head of Scally. Walsh was again the provider on 45 minutes as Goldbey powered in another header following a left wing corner.

Despite the general Rangers barrage, the home side had their moments and opportunities. Tommy Bradshaw brought an early save from Geraghty, before a sloppy misplaced Walsh pass released Enda Dunne from half-way, but his terrific strike rebounded off a post.

Devon certainly made a quick impact on the resumption as Dunne clattered the woodwork once more from a free kick outside the box on 51 minutes, but were rewarded when Gus Ademoye finished the rebound to make it 2-1.

Rangers responded when Scally tapped home his second on 62 minutes and Jason Smith was denied a reward when smashing an effort off the crossbar.

Devon could just find a late Greg Sheedy goal as a reward and with just four games left in their campaign, they are running out of time in order to preserve their top-flight status.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.