Stalemate outcome ends league hopes of Rangers

THE task was to win their final three games in their chase for title honours, but Corrib Rangers came up against an immovable object in the form of Athenry on Sunday morning and a shared outcome ended the city side’s ambitions, but was enough for the visitors to be crowned Brod Trill Premier Division champions.

In the First Division, a last minute equaliser deprived Salthill Devon of an automatic promotion spot as they shared the spoils with a Colemanstown United side who were crowned champions as a result.

Now a rare Conor Beatty special, allied to a Christian Ryan free kick, rewarded West United B with a Joe Ryan Cup final victory over West Coast United and, no doubt, the club will celebrate the win at their 70th Anniversary celebrations this weekend.

The weekend also saw Galway League clubs dominate at the Connacht Schoolboy Cup and Shield finals in Sligo where they won all eight titles at stake, with major honours for Mervue United (two), Hibernians and Salthill Devon.

Corrib Rangers  2

Athenry  2

Two down at the break, the home side’s Premier Division title ambitions looked to be dead and buried before a spirited second half revival saw them level matters, but it was of no avail as Athenry hung on gamely in the closing minutes for the required point to be confirmed as champions.

With games in hand, Rangers had to win all their remaining contests in order to overtake leaders Athenry and win a first ever title, but the stumbling block were Seamie Crowe’s side  who did what they had to do as they won their first title in five seasons.

It was certainly the visitors who made the greater early impression and after Dan Cunningham was taken down in the box on just five minutes, they had a great opportunity to make an early break though – but a smart double Conor Sweeney save kept out Colm O’Donovan’s penalty and the rebound.

They were not to denied three minutes later when Cathal Fahy headed home from close range, while just an off target Paul Smith header threatened at the other end. David Goldbey was wild and wide with a lash at goal, before Athenry upped their game again in the second quarter.

Fahy was just wide with a header, while O’Donovan had a penalty claim waved away when going down under the pressure of a Murray challenge. However, the striker did little wrong on 40 minutes, when he curled a stunning effort from well outside the box, beyond the reach of Sweeney for a 2-0 advantage.

The second half saw a role reversal as Rangers took over with the neat Jason Murphy and Johnny O’Brien gaining them some forward momentum. They pulled one back with a terrific Goldbey header on 52 minutes as the striker strained himself to get on the end of a Smith cross to make it 2-1.

Ger Bane and Brian Connolly were just off target with close range headers before the home side were awarded a penalty on 67 minutes, after Goldbey went down in the box. O’Brien slotted home the resulting spot kick to tie up matters.

While Athenry offered the occasional attacking foray as Sweeney thwarted Gary Forde and Cathal Fahy, the main threat was coming from Rangers. However, a resolute Athenry defence held firm as just set pieces offered the home side the best prospects of a breakthrough.

Evan Preston Kelly got no power into a close range shot following a Connolly corner, while Bane’s far post touch in the closing minute went just the wrong side of the post. O’Brien was wild with a free kick and as the clock ran down, the home side ran out of time in their title quest.

Corrib Rangers: Sweeney, O’Connor, Murray (Barbu 80mins), Bane, Preston Kelly, Murphy, Connolly, O’Brien, Smith, Goldbey, Sibanda.

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