By Mike Rafferty

COLGA and Athenry had met on two previous occasions this season, with Colga emerging winners both times. However, there was a big turnaround when the sides met in Kilcornan on Saturday as Athenry ran out comfortable 4-0 victors in their Premier Division meeting.

For Athenry the season has been one of change. A poor start saw them pick up just two wins from their opening six games and left them just above the relegation zone. However, their position has improved significantly since then.

In Athenry’s last six games, they have lost just once and, in the process, have moved to fourth position in the table. They lost a number of experienced campaigners, but the inclusion of a number of younger players has taken time to come to fruition but based on results, they are now getting the benefit of it.

Goals have been somewhat scarce for Cathal Fahy this season, but after injury and thoughts of retirement, the long serving striker was certainly to the fore at the weekend as he scored all four goals for the visitors.

Fahy completed his hat trick in the opening half, before adding a fourth on the resumption. The result moved them to within a point of third placed Colga, whose last defeat was also a surprise against bottom of the table Loughrea.

Moyne Villa kept just a second clean sheet of the season following a 3-0 home win over University of Galway. An early penalty awarded for handball and converted by Padraig Cunningham put them ahead, before Gusi Khumalo added a second just before the break.

They sealed the win in the latter stages when Thomas Newell got the third. The victory consolidates Moyne Villa’s second position, but they have played more games than most of the teams around them.

Having suffered just one defeat in their last eight games, Maree-Oranmore have progressed up the table and on Saturday they were always in command of a 6-2 win over Hibernians.

Four up at the break, Ciaran Black (two), Liam McDonagh (two), Colm Whelan and Andrin Kraja all found the net for the home side, while Nathan Ward scored twice for the visitors who remain second from bottom of the table. The remaining contest between Loughrea and Renmore was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.

FAI Junior Cup

There was mixed fortunes for the two Galway League sides involved in FAI Junior Cup action. Salthill Devon came from behind to secure a 3-2 away win over Evergreen in Kilkenny to set up a repeat of their 2022 meeting against Villa FC from Waterford in the last eight.

Goals from Colin Kelly and Timmy Molloy allowed the sides finish level at 2-2, with Mark Ludden getting the winner in the second half of extra time.

There was no joy for Mervue United in Limerick as they went down to a 1-0 defeat against Fairview Rangers. Oleg Vysoch got the 24th minute winner for the home side. Rangers were worthy winners as Mervue goalkeeper Tom Meehan made a number of smashing early saves to keep his side in the game, while at the other end the visitors created little of note.

Pictured: West United ‘s Alyaro Rodrigo and Patrick M Ó Flátharta of C S MacDara tussling for possession during the clubs’ Championship tie at South Park. Photo: Joe O”Shaughnessy.