Local Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

Last season the Premier Division champions Salthill Devon and runners-up Athenry went head-to-head for almost the duration in the chase for the title and the early indications are that matters will be similar in the current campaign.

Both are unbeaten to date and on Saturday enhanced their reputations with impressive wins. Devon lost just once in the league last season and that came early on when Renmore surprised them with a 2-1 success.

The sides met again at the weekend, and there is no doubt that Devon were not going to let lightning strike twice and for the duration of the contest in Drom, the home outfit were the dominant side as they ran out 4-0 winners.

An early strike by Timmy Molloy put the home side in front and they doubled their advantage when new signing Ben Molloy continued his impressive form as he won possession, cut in from a wide position and drilled a low effort into the far corner past Cian Costello to give them a 2-0 interval advantage.

While Renmore traded honestly and worked hard, it really was a damage limitation exercise, as their opportunities in the last third of the park were limited.

The game was wrapped up just after the hour mark when the returning Mikie Fox crashed an effort off the crossbar. Costello did very well to keep out the rebound from Matthew Barrett, before Darren Darcy eventually applied the finish from close range to make it 3-0.

Costello continued to excel as smart saves denied Fox and Ben Molloy, while Princewell Diala had numerous opportunities also. Devon added the fourth in the closing minutes when Niall Rooney fed Timmy Molloy and the midfielder rounded Costello before rolling the ball into an empty net.

The win makes it five from five for Emlyn Long’s charges, with their scheduled meeting on November 11 against Athenry the next really big test for both sides.

Pictured: Derek McWalter of Renmore AFC stretches for the ball as Salthill Devon’s Timmy Molloy and Paul Scally close in during the league meeting between the sides in Drom last weekend. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.