Premier Division leaders Corrib Rangers put recent losses behind them as they returned to winning ways with a crucial 2-1 win over St Bernard’s at Westside on Wednesday evening.

Substitute David Smith notched the crucial late match winner, just five minutes after his introduction, as the table toppers moved four points clear from the chasing pack of St Bernard’s, Athenry and Salthill Devon. The win puts Brendan O’Connor’s side in a strong position to win a first ever title.

Corrib Rangers enjoyed their fair share of good fortune on Wednesday evening though as goalkeeper Conor Sweeney produced some terrific saves, while poor finishing on behalf of the Abbeyknockmoy side was to prove frustrating for them.

It was the home side who broke the deadlock when Derek O’Brien recycled a corner and from his second delivery central defender Eric Browne fired a close range volley past Kevin Ruane for a 1-0 advantage.

The lead was to prove rather short-lived as on 31 minutes, Jason Finn set up Colin Tracey and, while the newcomer had still a lot of work to do, he made it 1-1 with a shot past Sweeney.

After the break, Smith, just after his introduction, gathered a Brian Connolly pass and drilled an effort beyond Ruane to clinch the 2-1 victory.

While the other high profile contest between Athenry and Salthill Devon did not take place, Mervue United recovered from going a goal down to defeat Colemanstown United 3-1.

Darragh Kelly, Alex Frank (penalty) and Barry Moran were all on the mark for the visitors, after Shane Bailey had given the home side an early advantage.

Meanwhile, last weekend, a brave Hibernians effort just fell short as they lost out 2-1 to St. Bernard’s in Bohermore. Colin Tracey forced home the winner on 84 minutes after, earlier in the half, Eoghan Roche and Keith Ward exchanged penalties.

Elsewhere, a depleted Mervue United went down to Athenry 1-0 – Gary Forde netting a penalty – to leave their title ambitions in tatters while a Shane Concannon hat-trick and a Ciaran Duggan brace eased Corrib Celtic to a 5-2 away win over Tuam Celtic.

In their scheduled Friday night fixture, Salthill Devon collected all the points on offer when Colemanstown United were unable to field.

FIRST DIVISION

West United maintained their clear advantage at the top of the First Division, courtesy of two wins in succession. In midweek, goals by Geoffrey Power and ‘Mixer’ Devanney helped them to a 2-0 victory over Renmore and they followed this up with a 3-2 away success over St Patrick’s on Sunday.

While the home side enjoyed an interval advantage following a Shane O’Brien finish, the visitors eventually got into the game in the second half as goals by James Ryan, Sean Keogh and Power secured the win. Rory Glynn got the second for St. Patrick’s from a free kick.

Having not won a single game from their opening 13 contests, East United have really turned matters around in their two most recent outings, as two wins have thrown them a lifeline in their quest to get out of the relegation zone.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.