Six of the best as Corrib Rangers go top

Corrib Rangers hit a weakened St Patrick’s for six at Laurel Park on Sunday morning as they moved three points clear at the top of the Premier Division.

Two up at the break, Corrib Rangers pulled away in the second half with Brian Connolly and David Goldbey both grabbing a brace as the visiting side struggled to gain any sort of forward momentum to run out 6-0 winners.

St Patrick’s certainly had their chances in the opening half with the woodwork denying them on two occasions, but that aside the home outfit were the dominant force and two goals in the opening quarter set them on their way.

The lead goal on 12 minutes was rather fortunate as a Connolly cross was deflected into his own net by Enda Heenaghan; and stand-in goalkeeper JJ Greaney could do little about the second either as Oscar Sibanda released Paul Smith to finish low past the unprotected custodian.

The Caherlistrane visitors deserved some reward in the closing stages of the half, as firstly Mike Ward struck the crossbar with a free-kick, while Rangers left-back Rob Keady threatened his own goal with a back header that went out for a corner off the butt of the post.

If the visitors had their moments in the opening half, just a Luke Donnellon header threatened in the second half, as Corrib Rangers dominated and made it 3-0 on 59 minutes. Keady and Sibanda did the spadework down the left, before Goldbey applied the close range finish. Goldbey then turned provider as he set up Connolly to fire the fourth low past Greaney.

Unchallenged at the back, Corrib Rangers were allowed to get forward at every opportunity and Jason Murphy, Martin O’Connell and Stephen Kirk all went close to adding to their tally. Finally, two goals in the closing four minutes saw Goldbey and Connolly double their accounts, as they scored unchallenged from in front of goal.

At the half-way stage of the season, Corrib Rangers now lie three points clear of second placed Mervue United, with both having played nine games.

In other Premier Division action, Hibernians can certainly get themselves into a title challenge as they have games in hand, and they displayed great character to come from 3-2 down in the closing stages to eventually win 5-3 against St Bernard’s.

Tuam Celtic did things the hard way when they initially lost a two goal advantage, before scoring a late winner as they caused somewhat of a shock when defeating NUI Galway 3-2 at Clonthue Road.

The home side led 2-0 at the break as Thomas Gleeson opened their account when he raced away to slot home in a one-on-one situation, before Daniel Burke added the second from the penalty spot after Manu was upended in the box. A late Mike Togher header secured a home victory and moved them into a more comfortable mid-table position.