Local Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

With the Men’s side having won the First Division title and the Women having collected the All Island Cup during the summer, the Galway United success story continued at the weekend when the Women’s U-19 Academy team won the Shield competition.

In local action, Salthill Devon eventually saw off close rivals Athenry to advance to the Provincial Champions Cup final; while the Premier Division programme was limited as just two games survived the weather with Renmore’s early season struggles continuing as they went down to a third loss in succession.

In the Championship, leaders University of Galway extended their advantage at the top of the table with a comfortable away success over Knocknacarra.

PREMIER DIVISION

Renmore’s inability to defend is certainly costing them. On Saturday they went down by 6-4 to Loughrea and in the process have now conceded 15 goals in their last three Premier Division games.

They are just one of a number of teams who have not kick-started their season yet as they lie in the bottom half of the table and certainly have room for improvement.

After their 4-1 away win over Mervue United in their previous game, Loughrea were making it back-to-back wins. It was the locals who took command first as they went two up, before the visitors restored parity before the interval. The second-half saw Loughrea continue to edge ahead, only for the city side to respond on almost every occasion, until the closing stages.

Bruno Henrique took the main scoring honours for the Rams as he hit four, while Thomas Hoban added two more and both of his efforts ended in the net with the aid of deflections.

Dara Mulgannon, Keith Fitzgerald, Jamie Fahy, and Cian Specht all found the net for Renmore, who also did not help themselves when Harry Rogers had a late penalty saved by Stephen McCormack.

Pictured: Knocknacarra FC’s Darcy Ngodjo wheels away after firing past University of Galway goalkeeper Cian Basquille in Cappagh Park last weekend. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.