Avenue United started their FAI Junior Cup campaign in style as they inflicted a 6-0 defeat on fellow Maloney Hardware Premier Division side Tulla United.
Six different players got their name on the scoresheet for David Russell’s side as they continue to respond impressively to their opening round league defeat to Lifford AFC.
Tulla United had pulled off a surprise by dumping Lifford AFC out of the Munster Junior Cup but that result only served to refocus Avenue minds ahead of this Cup showdown.
The reigning Maloney Hardware Premier Division champions secured an impressive triumph with Eliaz Kunz, Ronan Kerin, Cullen McCabe, Mark Roche, Tomas Hehir and Nneji Nnabuike all managing to find the target as Avenue dominated this tie.
This result will not define Tulla United’s season as they try to build on the encouraging form they had shown before this game.
Mike Moloney’s side have shown that they can mix it with most sides in the Maloney Hardware Premier Division as they will need to put this result to one side.
Meanwhile, Avenue United’s bid to atone for their heartbreaking defeat to North End United on penalties in the Last 16 of last year’s competition remains firmly on track.
Avenue United: Paul Roche, Cullen McCabe, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey, Nneji Nnabuike, Callum Barrett, Dylan Barry, Eliaz Kunz, Ronan Kerin, Mark Roche.
Subs: Kaylan O’Loughlin for Barry (inj), Tomás Hehir for Kunz, Stephen Jordan for Barrett, Vincent Onouha for Roche, Gary Roche for Kerin.
Tulla United: Simon Kilker, Fionn Ryan, Adam McNamara, Ray Bane, Daragh Corry, Jack McSweeney, Sean Withycombe, Liam McInerney, Eoin Hassett, Dan Withycombe, Eanna Culloo.
Subs: Fiachra Hale for D. Withycombe, David O’Donnell for McInerney, James Wallace for S. Withycombe, Craig McNamara for Hassett, Diarmuid Molloy for McSweeney, Emmet Lynch.
Fairgreen Celtic highlighted their intent as they secured an upset of sorts when downing Avenue United B 2-1 in their First Round Munster Junior Cup tie.
Davy McMahon and Dean Coughlan found the net for the winners as they booked their passage in to Round Two. They face a difficult opening round tie in the FAI Junior Cup as they come up against Shannon Town A next.
Meanwhile, Shannon Hibs A were 2-0 winners over Bridge United B. The Ann Romer Florist First Division side secured the win thanks to goals from Alex Cole and Gary Leahy.