Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

On a Bank Holiday weekend, the Galway FA in their generosity did not schedule any games for the top two divisions, while just a limited programme of games took place elsewhere in the lower leagues.

However, this weekend will be a total contrast as 10 Galway League sides are in Connacht Junior Cup second round action; while 17 teams will take to all corners of the province in the Connacht Shield.

U-21 PREMIER

Mervue United 2

Knocknacarra 3

Scott Dillon scored a stunning winner, while fellow striker David Odebeke scored twice as Knocknacarra remain the only unbeaten side in the Martin Horgan U-21 Premier League following this over Mervue United in Fahy’s Field on Tuesday night.

The contest looked done and dusted when the visitors went two up just after the restart, but from there to the finish the home side took over and were the dominant side for the remainder of the contest. Two goals in a five-minute spell restored parity, and at this stage it looked like there was only going to be one winner, before Knocknacarra struck for the winner on 76 minutes.

Taking possession just inside the Mervue half, Dillon meandered through a number of challenges at pace, before rounding the advancing Charlie Greene and slotting into an empty net. It was a goal worthy of a greater occasion, and later it took a smart advancement by the goalkeeper minutes to deny the striker a second.

Knocknacarra were probably the more impressive side in the opening half and they made the breakthrough on just six minutes when Odebeke powered home a header at the far post for a 1-0 advantage.

The home side had opportunities to level matters as numerous set-pieces presented chances to hit the target, but Conor Keady and Jack Ryan spurned the best of them.

Ryan was one of the driving forces behind the Mervue United second-half recovery and he was denied an equaliser on the restart when he had a shot blocked in the area. At the other end, a Dillon free-kick from outside the box was poorly directed into the defensive wall.

However, he provided the telling through-ball that set up the second as Odebeke raced through and got the better of Jason Daly in a one-on-one situation for a 2-0 advantage.

Luc McHugh and Mikey Mullery were central to Knocknacarra’s early display, but it took Mervue some time to offer a real threat in the last third of the park. However, once they got a grip on the game, they were the dominant force.

Dara McGrath, Oisin Coyne, and Mark O’Halloran were influential about the centre of the park; while out wide, Keith O’Connor and Dylan Rabbitte worked hard to deliver crosses that might provide some reward.

Defensively, Knocknacarra looked strong at this stage as Rory Shaughnessy and Jack Faherty offered a solid full back partnership, while Christian Blighe and Cian O’Grady locked-down the centre of defence.

However, the visitors were found wanting on 67 minutes when Daragh King was allowed a free header following an O’Connor corner to reduce the arrears to 2-1. The home side were certainly racking on the pressure and Ryan Moore and Dara McGrath had shots saved by Jack Carroll, before matters were levelled at 2-2 on 71 minutes, when O’Halloran smashed home a dropping ball from outside the box.

Carroll continued to inspire when later called upon as his handling from set-plays was top-class.

By now Knocknacarra were just operating on occasional counter attacks, but Luca Menarini drew a save from Greene, before Dillon lit up the occasion with his side’s third goal. Carroll was later well positioned to gather a Daniel Quinn header as Knocknacarra held on as they made it three from three in the league.

Mervue United: Daly, Quinn, De Siakam, McGrath, Keady, Ryan, Rabbitte, Coyne, Shaughnessy, O’Halloran, O’Connor.

Rolling substitutes: King, Murphy, Moore, Ryan, Greene.

Knocknacarra: Carroll, Shaughnessy, H. Faherty, Blighe, O’Grady, McHugh, Mullery, Murphy, Odebeke, Dillon, Menarini,

Rolling substittues: Bona, Araz, Hurley, Hanamous, J Faherty, Nwadzuzn.

Referee: Niall Crossby.

Pictured: The Mervue United B side that defeated Athenry B 3-0 in their Division 1 clash in Mervue last weekend. Back row, from left: Mike Shaughnessy, Dara Gilmore, Shane Bohan, Keith O’Connor, Danny Shamavu, and Niyi Adeolokvn. Front: Philip Ryan, Tommy Walsh, Colm Power, Daniel Murphy, and Seán Dipson. Photo: Iain McDonald.