MERVUE United took full advantage from their game in hand in the Brod Trill Premier League to join Corrib Rangers at the summit with a 3-2 away win over Athenry. In doing so, they were matching the impressive start of the Westside outfit, as both have full points from their opening six games.

Meanwhile up in Drom, Boys Club were like little Terriers on a leash as they bit, snapped and snarled in easily beating Salthill Devon by a 6-1 margin. At another weather beaten venue, East United also displayed a passion and team spirit that is sadly lacking in others as they dismissed the West United challenge by 3-0 in South Park.

For the third season in succession, Salthill Devon look to have a major relegation fight on their hands as they lie second from bottom of the Premier League with just four points from nine games. In one way, it is very difficult to see how a club with such facilities and a production line of players can find themselves in such a position year after year.

The road to recovery is a long way off for this Salthill Devon side, who will really need to display a change of attitude to turn around this campaign, a feat they managed last season when they came from the relegation trapdoor to safety with a last match victory.

Athenry 2
Mervue United 3

Scoreless at the break, all the action in this contest came in the second half as Mervue slotted home three without reply, before the home side responded with a two goal blast in the closing minutes.

The visitors took the lead on 54 minutes when a Finn Creedon delivery broke to Micheal Lundy in the box and the Corofin native did what come natural with a finish into the bottom corner. Making his first start of the season, the left sided midfielder then buried a close range header following a Tommy Walsh corner for the second.

Mervue were enjoying their best spell of the match and after linking up with Stephen Cunningham, Colie Kelly then neatly tucked away the third past Adrew Walsh.

The home side displayed some late fighting spirit when Alan O’Donovan crashed home a free kick from outside the box, before Declan Cullen set up a the second for Gary O’Donnell to volley home.
 

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.