High-flying Glenhest continue to soar
Glenhest Rovers’ Connor McCarthy was on the field two minutes before scoring his sides third goal. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Glenhest Rovers continued their spellbinding form of late as they recorded their fifth victory in a row at a picturesque and sun-drenched Beltra on Saturday evening.
The win sees Stephen McLoughlin’s troops jump to second spot in the Super League standings, albeit having played three games more than third placed Castlebar Celtic.
High-flying Rovers were eager to make a positive start to Saturday’s clash and the hosts were awarded a penalty after five minutes. Levi Barrett was given the spot-kick responsibility and the right-back guided home a tidy finish to the back of the net.
Ballinrobe gradually regrouped and Chris McGauley’s troops began to pepper the Glenhest Rovers goal. The Robesiders managed to conjure up an opportunity for Stanislas Emond, who was most unlucky to see his crisp strike fly narrowly over Nathan Barrett’s crossbar.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium during the first half; however, the hosts added a crucial second on 34 minutes. The goal derived from a set-piece, as Shane Finnerty’s perfectly weighted corner-kick found the poaching Levi Barrett and the latter rustled the back of the net thus notching his second goal of the game.
Ballinrobe valiantly tried to get back into the contest before the break; however, despite their best efforts the visitors trailed 2-0 during the half-time pep talks.
The opening quarter of the second half was a cagey period of the joust, before Ballinrobe very nearly pulled a goal back on 61 minutes. An in-swinging corner-kick from Jonathan Lawrence found the hard-working Emond, whose close-range header was expertly saved by the alert Nathan Barrett.
The second half was largely devoid of clear-cut chances; however, the game was illuminated on 66 minutes. Glenhest’s Paul McLoughlin teed-up substitute Connor McCarthy and the striker guided home a superb finish beyond the reach of the beaten Sean Shaughnessy. Indeed, McCarthy certainly had a telling impact on the game as he was barely two minutes into the fray before he found the back of the net.
Ballinrobe’s Lawrence desperately tried to find a way back into the joust for the red and white and his raking free kick on 68 minutes was marginally off target.
The visitors huffed and puffed, and substitute Conor Keleghan went close to reducing the deficit on 88 minutes, but his angled drive curled wide as Nathan Barrett’s goal remained intact.
McCarthy could have notched his second goal of the game during injury-time, but his volley failed to find its intended target.
Overall, Glenhest Rovers were the better team on the day and the Beltra side’s next league outing is away to table toppers Westport United, whilst Ballinrobe Town welcome Castlebar Celtic to The Green.
