West United 2
Hibernians 1
A theory exists that the Premier League title is decided before Christmas. Recent evidence is making it increasingly difficult to have a differing belief. Put points on the board early and often appears a correct policy, ensuring deep significance was connected to Saturday’s South Park tussle.
With unbeaten records on the line and town honour at stake the usual sense of Galwegian relevance was evident at the Swamp. It is plain and simple. West United don’t look upon losing favourably on home terrain, while Hibs are competitive regardless of form and when greeted by the green and white hoops the intensity jumps a level. So it proved as a thoroughly amusing match unfolded. Filled with incidents and goals, a sizeable crowd filed away from the Claddagh venue pondering how West somehow stole the full complement of spoils. Still the sign of a ravenous team is that it can survive when everything isn’t motoring smoothly and West achieved this feat.
It was a cruel conclusion for Hibs, who contributed so much to a battle that raged from start to finish. Referee John Reilly deserves considerable credit for his astute handling of a tricky assignment that was a pleasant advertisement for junior football.
While the opening half lacked goalscoring opportunities there was no shortage of perspiration.
When the chances came they fell to Hibs, who were showing well despite playing into the teeth of a reasonable wind. The clock had just ticked past the half hour mark when Colm Connolly’s punt forward was glanced on by Kevin Finnegan. Alan Shaughnessy gathered possession, but Padraig Lally’s save was smart.
From Tony Folan’s resultant corner Patsy Ward, impressive throughout, flashed a shot over the bar as the Bohermore outfit searched for the lead. Surprisingly flat early on, West eventually hit an effort wide as Dara Ryan’s long range strike sizzled past the post.
Just as the first half was winding to an end the game’s complexion altered when Stumpy Ward was dismissed following an off the ball altercation with Gary Fitzgerald.
Though West now had a numerical superiority it was Hibs who played all the football for a sustained burst after the restart. This was reflected when Gary Kelly located Patsy Ward 25 yards from the West goal. Ward unleashed a splendid shot that clipped the timber before crossing the line.
West were rocked by the concession, but the depth of their panel saw them make a string of switches which aided the recovery mission. Given fresh impetus West finally came to life with a dramatic late assault.
The 82nd-minute leveller was all about Mathias O’Malley’s clever footwork, as the busy frontrunner fashioned space in the area to bring West back to parity. West weren’t satisfied with a division of the spoils, and the winner was inevitably tucked away on 88 by the League’s slickest performer, O’Malley, following Simon Murray’s tidy assist.
West United: P Lally; J Egan, T Burke (D O’Neill, 72 ), K McHugh, S Rabbitte; Mike O’Malley, G Fitzgerald (I Burke, 52 ), D Ryan (J Curran, 72 ), T Caldwell; Mathias O’Malley, S Murray.
Hibernians: A McPhilbin; C Connolly, D O’Loughlin, E Ward, D McDonagh; P Ward, B Griffin, T Folan, G Kelly; A Shaughnessy, K Finnegan.
Referee: John Reilly.
