Corrib Rangers 6
Dynamo Blues 3
What a difference a week makes. Their defeat to holders Athenry in atrocious conditions a week previously was far removed from Corrib Rangers’ dramatic win over Dynamo Blues in splendid sunshine at Laurel Park last Saturday. This game had everything, including nine goals, a litany of missed chances, bookings, and one sending off.
That sole dismissal served to awaken this tie from its slumber, as five minutes before the break a prediction of a scoreless draw would have been a rational hunch. Rangers had enjoyed a greater share of possession in that opening segment yet rarely threatened, while Blues’ long ball tactic wasn’t working, although the Tuam side did defend stoutly for much of the half.
Cue the fireworks. Firstly Dynamo Blues striker Mark Sweeney received his marching orders from referee Vincent Carew, much to the ire of the Blues faithful. When order was restored, Rangers centre half Kevin Fitzpatrick unleashed an unstoppable drive past Cathal Hynes in the Dynamo goal.
At this point Blues were more intent on questioning the official’s decision making than concentrating on clawing their way back into the contest. Corrib capitalised on this sloppiness and just before the break Conor Clery got his first of the day after the tireless Ollie Rafferty’s initial shot was just short. Rangers retired at the break with a two goal cushion and an extra man. Game over one would have thought.
Johnny Farragher’s strike just after the break bled new life into the Tuam side, however, as they now pushed centre half Kevin Stankard forward in a bold bid to salvage a point. This left the Blues defence vulnerable with gaping holes appearing at times. It took an eternity for Rangers to exploit such space, though, as Conor Clery and Shane Flaherty both missed gilt edged chances.
The aforementioned duo combined soon after though to make amends. Clery courted the touchline before invitingly crossing into the danger area. Flaherty gratefully dispatched from close range and when Clery delicately finished from a similar distance soon after, at 3-1 it was again difficult to see a way back for Blues.
Dynamo, however, never faded, throwing caution to the wind, with their substitutions featuring prominently in the comeback. One such replacement, Dean Fallon, set up Farragher for his second of the day and sixth of the season. Suddenly it appeared as though the blues were the team with the numerical advantage and when Thomas Kavanagh reduced the deficit to the minimum, the momentum was very much with his side.
Ultimately the extra man proved the difference as Blues’ energy sapping attaking forays continued to leave wide openings in defence. Goal scorer Kavanagh conceded a penalty when he prevented a certain goal with his hand and was lucky to remain on the field. The resultant penalty was despatched by the in-form Clery and Blues’ race was finally run. Clery put the issue beyond any doubt and capped a fine personal performance with his fourth of the day when he cheekily chipped the ‘keeper from outside the box.
Corrib Rangers: R Griffin; M O’Connor (S McCarthy, 80 ), K Fitzpatrick, S Flaherty, G Murray; F Lawrence (D Connaughton, 80 ), O Rafferty, M Joyce, D Small (B O’Halloran, 45 ); C Clery, L Forde.
Dynamo Blues: C Hynes; M Ward, F Fallon, K Stankard, G Kelly: V Carton (D Fallon, 62 ), T Kavanagh, A Flaherty (P Kavanagh, 55 ), K Fleming (C Quinn, 70 ); J Farragher, M Sweeney.
Referee: Vincent Carew.
