Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

Hibernians 2

Renmore 0

Mike Rafferty in Bohermore

The commitment of both sides in this Premier Division contest in Bohermore on Saturday was honourable, but for two teams at opposite ends of the table, the difference in quality and confidence was very apparent.

Both struggled in the lower regions last season, but they survived the drop. However, Hibernians have moved up a level since as they are enjoying a good campaign in joint third position in the table, while in contrast Renmore are just three off the bottom, as Colemanstown United and St Bernard’s prop up the table.

While Hibernians have lost on only one occasion in their last five games, Renmore came into the game on the back of a run of five defeats on the spin, and this defeat stretched that run to six.

Scoring is also an issue for them as they have not found the net in their last three games and on this occasion never looked like scoring.

On a heavy pitch chances at both ends were rather sparse, with the hosts generally enjoying supremacy in terms of possession. Jason McDonagh slotted home the rebound after Leonardo Olivia had initially saved a penalty awarded for handball for Hibs to given them a half-time lead.

The resumption saw a similar pattern continue and they went close to another breakthrough when Nathan Ward was just off target with a header following a McDonagh corner. They were eventually rewarded with the second on 57 minutes when Olivera saved an effort from half time substitute Mike Okocha, with new signing Andrew Connolly sweeping home the rebound with a low shot from outside the box for 2-0.

Pictured: Salthill Devon’s Mikey Fox looks to evade thwe challenges of the Loughrea Rams duo of  Thomas Hoban (left) and Shane Kelly in Drom last Friday night. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.