Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

Colga, Salthill Devon, and Maree-Oranmore were all winners over the weekend and in the process maintained their challenge at the top of the Premier Division; while in the Championship, Hibernians and Knocknacarra both collected full points, as leaders St Bernard’s were held to a draw by Dynamo Blues.

In the Women’s Connacht Cup, Salthill Devon and Mervue United both advanced in contrasting styles, while Bearna Na Forbacha got the better of Corrib Rangers in an all-local affair.

PREMIER DIVISION

Colga FC 2

Mervue United 1     

Mervue United travelled to Kilcornan on Friday evening with two prospects: win and they are back in the title race, just four points behind the leaders and with a game in hand; or lose and the reality is that their title challenge is finished with just six games left in the season.

The contest turned out to be a real cracker in front of a large crowd, as two well-matched sides went head-to-head. No one could quibble with the outcome either, as Colga opened up a two-goal advantage, and when on the back foot for the last half hour, defended as if their lives depended on it.

Mervue will be still wondering about the concession of the second goal, as it came at a time in the game when they were very much on top, and while a goal by Daniel Brennan got them back into it, Colga were unyielding thereafter as they clung on for a win that maintains their three point advantage at the top of the table from Salthill Devon.

It was the home side who started with the greater intent and visiting custodian James Egan was certainly busy and on three occasions he denied Tom Daly; while Daly also pushed an effort beyond the far post when through with just the custodian to beat.

While Mervue offered just token early attacking threats, the influence of Tom Kidd and Luke O’Gorman eventually gave them some momentum and a strong effort by David Tarmey was saved by Mark Greaney. They also had a potential goal by Adam Healy ruled out for a handball in the build-up; before Charlie Concannon was next to test Greaney as the big custodian made another diving save.

The opening goal arrived on 41 minutes when Neil Greaney drilled home a low shot from the edge of the area to give Colga a 1-0 advantage, and while Mervue seized the initiative on the restart, they really only had a Concannon effort that offered a scoring threat.

Then, very much against the run of play, Colga made it 2-0. A free-kick from Ryan Corcoran on half-way was flicked on by Ben Lalor, and Daly was following up to get the final touch over the line.

Thereafter the home side were pushed back, but solid defending by Nathan Ward, Jackson De Silva, Ryan Corcoran, and Keith Silke kept the visitors at bay. However, they were breached on 63 minutes when Brennan linked up with Concannon and fired home a rare goal for the right-full to leave matters at 2-1.

From there to the finish it was Mervue who did most of the pressing. The visitors made a triple substitution as Jason Molloy, Kieran O’Connor, and Adam O’Halloran were introduced and all played a part in an attack minded finish.

A Tormey header brought out a smashing reflex save from Greaney, with O’Connor pushing the rebound wide of the far post. Tarmey had a later opportunity, but dragged his effort across goal and wide.

In the closing minutes, Colga had a chance to add a third, but Milo O’Malley took a Neil Greaney effort off the line. The home win maintained Colga’s unbeaten record, but nothing was won yet as all the big teams still have to face one another before the season’s end.

Colga: M Greaney, Ward, De Sliva, Silke, Corcoran, Donoghue, Lalor, N Browne, Greaney, Lopes, Daly

Mervue United: Egan, Brennan, O’Malley, Keeley, Coyne, O’Gorman, Kidd, Concannon (O’Connor 73), Healy (Molloy 73), M O’Halloran (A O’Halloran 73), Tarmey.

Referee: John O’Connor.

Pictured:Timmy Molloy takes control of possession in midfield for Salthill Devon as Kyle Greaney of Moyne Villa moves in during the Premier Division clash between the sides in Drom last weekend. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.