Rangers closing in
Premier Division
Gorey Rangers moved to within three points of North End and Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Premier Division with a hard-fought win over Wexford Bohemians on Sunday.
Goals from Dylan Vickers and Gavin O’Brien earned them a 2-1 triumph, with Ian Farrell hitting the back of the net for Bohs.
Sunday’s victory made it six wins and a draw from their seven games to date and, with three games in hand on Rovers and one on the Sky Blues, they’re looking good to mount a serious title challenge.
Elsewhere, Danny Furlong was the main man for Rosslare Rangers as they ran out 5-2 winners against Cloughbawn.
Furlong provided the assist for Lee Devereux to open the scoring, but Johnny Cullen drew the visitors level early in the second-half.
Furlong tucked away a penalty to restore Rangers’ advantage and he made it 3-1 with a tidy finish.
Páidí Cullen pulled one back for Cloughbawn, but Lee Devereux grabbed his second to put the hosts 4-2 in front.
Furlong then made it 5-2 to complete his hat-trick and wrap up the three points.
Division1
Ryan Nolan was the match winner for Ferns United as they earned the local bragging rights by overcoming Tombrack United 3-1 in their Division 1 clash on Sunday.
Nolan netted all three goals for the winners, who moved up to second place in the table, while John Coleman replied for Tombrack.
Corach Ramblers moved up to third place after a 4-1 win over New Ross Celtic.
Niall Harney bagged a double for Ramblers, while John Staples and Cathal Cummins chipped in with a goal apiece and Ethan Butler replied for the Barrowsiders.
Division2
Curracloe and St. Leonards continue to share the lead in Division 2 after both racked up 5-1 wins on Sunday.
The seasiders recorded an impressive victory over fellow high-flyers Raheen, with Conor Sutton, Mark O’Connor, Ryan
Donnelly, Colin Cleary and Lar Stoute all hitting the back of the net for the impressive winners.
Seán ‘Mini’ Ryan helped himself to a hat-trick for St. Leonards as they overpowered Gorey Rangers, with Adrian Flynn and Shane Ryan adding a goal apiece.
Meanwhile, Crossabeg chalked up a 4-2 away win over Gorey Celtic, with Will McCreevy, Craig Coughlan and Shane Lawless (two) scoring for the visitors, and Gavin Goodwin and Greg O’Rourke hitting the back of the net for Celtic.
Division3
Ajax Athletic extended their advantage at the top of Division 3 to four points after edging out Forth Celtic in a seven-goal thriller in Murrintown on Sunday.
Brian Ronan, Seán Farnan, Jack Hanley and Glenn Fortune all hit the back of the net for the visitors, with Adam Feery, Kevin Price and Anthony Hayes scoring for Forth Celtic.
Des Mythen and Conor O’Leary both bagged doubles for St. Joseph’s as they ran out comfortable 5-1 winners over Bree United. Gary O’Leary also got on the scoresheet for the Kilmuckridge outfit.
Keith Donnelly headed home a corner early in the second-half to earn Duncannon all three points against Shelburne United.
Goalkeeper Tomás Walsh also deserves plaudits, as five minutes after Donnelly’s goal he got down low to his right to superbly save a penalty.