Big guns progress in race for Junior Cup

SIXTEEN second-round games in the race for the Clare Junior Cup dominated the domestic soccer scene last Sunday.

Apart from the victory of Kilmaley-Fern Celtic over Shannon Olympic A, all results went as expected. Newmarket Celtic A were made battle all the way by third-division leaders Coole FC but title holders, Avenue United, easily accounted for Moher Celtic. Last year’s beaten finalists, Bridge United B progressed to the next stage with victory over Avenue United B.
A penalty shoot-out was only required in one of the 16 ties when Tulla United A accounted for Turnpike Rovers.

Avenue United   8    Moher Celtic   0
HOLDERS Avenue United easily progressed to the last 16 of the Junior Cup with a big win over Moher Celtic at Lees Road.
Barry Nugent scored five for the winners, who led 3-0 at half-time, while Moher were dealt a major blow just before the break when goalkeeper Colm Healy suffered a serious ankle injury.
The loss of Healy clearly upset the North Clare outfit and they struggled against the favourites in the second half. Michael Commane took over the goalkeeping duties for this period.
Other scorers for the winners were Mikey Mahony (two) and Mattie Nugent.
Avenue United A: James Hanrahan, Colin Smith, Eamonn O’Reilly, Mattie Nugent, Simon Cuddihy, Gary Flynn, David Herlihy, Con Collins, Barry Nugent, Alan Roche, Ritchie O’Grady.
Subs: Mikey Mahoney and Pa Wilson.
Moher Celtic: Colm Healy, Brendan Vaughan, Ian White, Davy McDonagh, Davy Commane, Barry McGovern, Robert Lucas, Kevin Scales, Paul Cagney, James McEvoy, Damian Finnucane.
Sub: Michael Commane for Healy.

Bunratty B   1    Bridge United A   4
BUNRATTY B fought well against Premier outfit, Bridge A in the first 30 minutes of the tie, hitting the post in the first 10 minutes. The underdogs were competing well until Bridge A scored from a corner through Niall Gilligan. Two more goals were scored quickly through Mark Culbert and Kieran Quinlan and Bunratty B found themselves 3-0 down at half-time.
The winners stretched their advantage to four shortly after the resumption when Adrian White scored.
The introduction of Damian Landy improved things for the home side and he scored from a Kieran Kissane corner. Bunratty B defended well for the remainder of the tie.
Bunratty B: Damian Haugh, Don Murphy, Brian Sherlock, Damian Slattery, Kieran Kissane, Damian Smith, Danny Hanson, Ronan Hayes, John Liddane, Robert Meehan, Brian O’Leary.
Subs: Damian Landy for Damian Smith and Cathal Kilmartin for Rob Meehan.
Bridge United A: Paul Tuohy, Darren Murphy, Jonathon Hayes, Donald Devanney, Adrian White, Stephen Stewart, Mark Culbert, Kieran Quinlan, Jason White, Niall Gilligan, Derek Fahy.
Subs: Shane Devanney for Culbert, Greg Deegan for Stewart, Paul Fitzpatrick for White, Trevor Maxwell for Quinlan and Billy Maxwell for Hayes.

Coole FC   0    Newmarket Celtic A   1
PREMIER League leaders, Newmarket Celtic had to battle hard before overcoming third-division leaders Coole at Gort on Sunday.
The all-important goal came from Michael Crosby, who scored from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining. The penalty was awarded for a foul on David O’Grady.
Coole FC: Bart Petuk, Anthony Coppinger, Stephen Quinn, Aidan O’Boyle, Dave Franklin, Dave Cahill, Rick Prince, Danielo Biento, Owen Glynn, Kyle McCarthy, Gerard Fahy.
Subs: Abnor Cordillo for Coppinger and Jason Donovan for Biento.
Newmarket Celtic A: Ciaran McGlynn, David O’Grady, Mark Donlon, Eoin O’Brien, Paudie Hayes, Mike Devitt, Mike O’Malley, Simon Malone, Seamus Considine, Davy Wall, Kieran Devitt.
Subs: Darren Cullinan for Hayes, Ronan Arthur for O’Malley, Seamie Lawlor for Malone, Michael Crosby for Considine and Eoin Hayes for Devitt.

Avenue United B   0    Bridge United B   2
BEATEN finalists last year, Bridge United progressed to the last 16 with a hard-earned win over Avenue United.
Gavin Downes scored for the winners shortly before the half-time whistle when he converted a penalty awarded for a hand ball. It gave his side a fortunate lead at the interval after Avenue B had enjoyed a lot of possession in the first period.
The winners played much better in the second half and deservedly scored midway through the second period when Downes struck again. He had a chance to complete a hat-trick when they were awarded another penalty after Damian Murray was taken down but this time Downes’ effort went over the bar.
Avenue United B: Killian Culligan, Gary Seery, Neil McCarthy, Shane Browne, Pa Sherlock, Barry Cusack, Ian Hassett, Shane McMahon, Eoghan O’Loughlin, Mickey Byrnes, Chris Dobbin.
Subs: Darren O’Mara, Emyra, Conor O’Brien and Cian Darcy.
Bridge United B: Barry Deasy, Dan Larkin, Dominick Murphy, Albert Finnan, Brendan Murphy, Paul Corbett, Barry Downes, Damian Murray, Jeffrey Flynn, Trevor Kearney, Gavin Downes.
Subs: Robert Conlon for B Downes, Padraig Flannery for Corbett and Jamie O’Gorman for T Kearney.

Rock Rovers   4    Bridge Celtic B   1
ROCK Rovers comfortably progressed to the next stage with a win over Bridge Celtic B at Lees Road.
The winners led 3-0 at half-time thanks to goals from David Ryan, Marty McLoughlin and an own goal.
Celtic pulled one back in the second half when Eugene Fleming scored, before Rock sealed the issue with another David Ryan effort before the final whistle.
Rock Rovers: Eric Murphy, Ronan Judge, Michael Dinan, Ciaran Russell, Shane Daniels, Ashley Glynn, Daryl Eade, Barry Woods, Dean Gardiner, Marty McLoughlin, David Ryan.
Subs: Francis Daniels and David Considine.
Bridge Celtic B: Tim Foley, Brendan Nolan, Luke Turner, Wesley Fleming, Ollie Phillips, Eugene Fleming, Shane Moloney, Alan Kelly, Kevin McEvoy, Cathal Nolan, James Nolan.
Sub: Alex Simpson.

Bunratty A   3    Rineanna Rovers A   2
IN a well-contested local derby at Woulfe Park, the home side came out on top.
Rineanna led a half-time through a Johnny Okoru volley. Bunratty scored early in the second half when Tadgh Keogh found the target from a loose ball after a corner.
Enda Kelly scored shortly after from a corner at the other end but a Shane O’Connor penalty brought it back to 2-2. Bunratty got their deserved victory when Evan Glynn scored from 25 yards into the top corner with 10 minutes remaining.
Bunratty A: Fintan Quinn, Shane Purcell, Eoin Nash, David Hogan, Gearóid O’Connell, Tadgh Keogh, Evan Glynn, Ryan Kelly, Daithí O’Connell, Shane O’Connor, Diarmuid Nash.
Subs: Martin Russell and Cathal Jones.
Rineanna Rovers A: Jason Casey, Kieran Keane, John Earls, Pat Fahy, Paddy Finlay, Enda Kelly, Stephen Kelly, John Okoru, Danny Sweeney, Sean O’Connor, Patsy Keyes.
Subs: Niall Murphy and Dean Richter.

Lifford   8    Connolly Celtic   2
LIFFORD easily advanced to the next round when they proved too strong for Connolly Celtic at Cassidy Park.
They got off to a great start with a goal in the first minute from Roberto Pinto but Connolly fought back and levelled through Paddy Hogan. Shortly before half-time, a delivery from Gary McNaboe ended up in the Connolly net to leave Lifford 2-1 in front at the break.
In the second half, the home side was well on top and they added goals from Lunga Balman (2), Gary McNaboe, Francie O’Reilly, Gary Browne and Ryan Boyle, while Connolly’s lone reply came from Kieran Dillon.
Lifford: Jan Da Silva, Joe Lynch, Hamad Kuku, Mickey Sullivan, Conor Donlon, Gary McNaboe, Gary Browne, Ruairí Norrby, Ryan Boyle, Roberto Pinto, Lunga Balman.
Subs: Francie O’Reilly, TJ Ajisomo, Noel Mounsey and Liam Glenny.
Connolly Celtic: Sean Cregan, Andy Cleary, Kieran Dillon, Keith O’Looney, Brian Connellan, Bernard Field, Ken Kennedy, Alan Markham, Killian Torpey, Brendan Dillon, Paddy Hogan.
Subs: Senan McCarthy, Michael O’Loughlin and Danny Cabey.

Turnpike Rovers   1    Tulla United A   1 (AET)
Tulla won 3-1 on penalties
A PENALTY shoot-out was required to separate Turnpike Rovers and Tulla United A when they clashed at Lees Road.
Tulla United took the lead on the hour mark when Trevor Corbett headed home after a free by Darragh Corry. The visitors had two goals disallowed in the first half for being offside.
With time ticking away, Turnpike levelled through David McMahon and this ensured that the game went to extra time, which failed to produce a goal, leading to a penalty shoot-out.
Tulla were first up in the shoot-out and Paudge Vaughan put them ahead but Turnpike equalised through David McMahon. Niall Whelan scored Tulla’s second penalty, while the ’Pike missed the target through Shane Moroney.
Gearóid O’Doherty extended the winner’s lead before the ’Pike again missed through Dermot Gannon. Alan Brigdale had a chance to seal victory for Tulla but he missed, leaving Shane Collins to ensure victory, when he saved from Turnpike’s Stephen McMahon.
Turnpike Rovers: Keith Ryan, Dermot Gannon, Ian McMahon, Eric Hayes, Donnacda Hassett, Dean O’Grady, David McMahon, Tommy Cronin, Noel Frawley, Jason Hayes, Christopher Shannon.
Subs: Shane Moroney for E Hayes, Danny Russell for O’Grady, Stephen McMahon for J Hayes and Ethan Considine for Frawley.
Tulla United A: Shane Collins, Niall Whelan, Gearóid O’Doherty, Denis Murphy, Paudge Vaughan, Tommy McKeown, Shane Mason, Darragh Corry, Trevor Corbett, Alan Brigdale, Mike McDermott.
Sub: Keith Lenihan for Corry.

Treaty Celtic   1    Hermitage A   4
HERMITAGE A justified favouritism when they accounted for newcomers Treaty Celtic at Cassidy Park.
Goals from Rhys Phillips and Ritchie Fitzgerald helped the winners to a 2-0 half-time lead and they would not have been flattered had they been further ahead at this time.
Early in the second half, Treaty pulled one back through Aidan Considine and this helped them to put the pressure on the ’Tage.
The winners regained the upperhand and Ger Dullaghan restored their two-goal advantage when he scored from the penalty spot before Pa Mangan sealed victory with their fourth.
Treaty Celtic: J Clifford, N Donovan, N Nash, G Thompson, D Nolan, C O’Shea, M McCarthy, R McDonagh, G O’Connell, A Considine, N Fitzgerald.
Subs: C Cronin, D Meade, S O’Regan and B Stokes.
Hermitage A: Joe Burke, Davy Moloney, Adrian Walsh, TJ Harnett, Rhys Phillips, Ger Dullaghan, Pa Mangan, Ritchie Fitzgerald, Eoin O’Mara-Daly, Robbie Downes, Robert Dunne.
Subs: Paul Dullaghan for O’Mara-Daly and Stephen Dunne for Moloney.

Shannon Olympic A   2    Kilmaley/Fern Celtic 4 (AET)
KILMALEY/Fern Celtic earned their place in the third round of the Clare Cup with a well deserved away win against Shannon Olympic A on Sunday morning.
The visitors took the lead in the fifth minute when the impressive Gareth Thompson dived full stretch to meet a corner from Sean O’Flanagan at the near post, sending an unstoppable header to the top corner of Gary McGettrick’s goal.
Olympic tried to get back on level terms, creating several chances for Karl Scott, Ray Quigley, Donncadh Kelly and Jay Regan and in the 28th minute, Kelly got his team level when he rose above the Kilmaley defence to head in a Jay Regan corner.
Kilmaley restored their lead just four minutes later when Olympic’s poor defending at a corner allowed Pat Sherlock to head in at the far post. Kilmaley fully deserved the lead and they maintained it into the break.
After a few strong half-time words from Olympic’s management they took the initiative at the start of the second half and equalised after a lovely through ball from Jay Regan sent Karl Scott free. He coolly lobbed the ball over the advancing Kilmaley ’keeper, Gerard Healy.
For the remainder of the second half, Olympic and Kilmaley exchanged chances, none of which resulted in a score, sending the game into extra time.
Kilmaley’s superior fitness shone through in the extra-time period and Marc Healy scored a great goal in the 95th minute when he beat two Olympic defenders and calmly slotted the ball past McGettrick to give Kilmaley a 3-2 lead.
Olympic had no choice but to throw caution to the wind in the second period of extra time but Kilmaley soaked up the pressure and dealt Olympic the fatal blow in the closing minutes, scoring a classic counter-attack goal when Liam Meaney ran clear and calmly lobbed the ball over stranded McGettrick to double their advantage.
Shannon Olympic: Gary McGettrick, David Collins, Karl Fogarty, James Fitzgerald, Ian Hogan, Wayne Regan, Jay Regan, Ray Quigley, Donncadh Kelly, Jimmy Houlihan, Karl Scott.
Subs: Mick O’Connell and Greg Keane.
Kilmaley Fern Celtic: Gerard Healy, Pat Sherlock, Adrian Kelly, Gareth Thompson, Philip Noonan, Sean O’Flanagan, Jamie Mills, Colin Ryan, Conor Brennan, Marc Healy, Liam Meaney.
Subs: Alan Hehir and Noel Healy.

Corofin Harps   2    Newmarket Celtic B   1
COROFIN Harps booked a place in the last 16 with a victory over Newmarket Celtic B at Corofin on Sunday.
After a scoreless first half during which the home side had the better of the chances, Corofin took the lead early in the second half when Gary Tierney scored and they then doubled their advantage when Tierney struck again.
At the start of the final quarter, Tom Monaghan pulled one back for the visitors who piled on the pressure and came close to equalising on a few occasions.
Corofin Harps: Mike Heith, Stephen Quinn, Michael Concannon, John Keane, Brendan Neylon, Michael Daly, Paul Linnane, Ronnie Meere, James Keane, Damian Ryan, Gary Tierney.
Subs: Fergal Neylon for Ryan, Jason O’Connor for Keane and Mark Gleeson for O’Connor (inj).
Newmarket Celtic B: Johnnie Ryan, Ciaran McCoy, Pat McCoy, Jason Daly, Christopher Noonan, Eoin Kelly, Wayne O’Neill, David Barry, Tom Monaghan, Kieran Crosby, Barry O’Driscoll.
Subs: Joe Carigg for O’Neill and Leo Lynch for Crosby.

Rhine Rovers   0    Bridge Celtic A   1
STEPHEN McCarthy scored the all-important goal for Bridge Celtic A at Lees Road after 10 minutes and it was enough to see the South-East Clare side through to the last 16 of the competition.
The Premier outfit will feel relieved at having come through the exciting tie.
A fingertip save from Celtic’s keeper just managed to keep out a cheeky lob from Mark Hanrahan just before half-time. Rhine continued to play well in the second half and had the better opportunities with an Eoghan Ryan header and a low drive from Paul Johnston just failing to find the target.
Best for Rhine were Gavin O’Sullivan, Roghan Ryan, Keith Whelan and Mark Hanrahan.
Rhine Rovers: Rory Callinan, Gerry Flaherty, Paul Johnston, Martin McInerney, Kevin Johnston, Gavin O’Sullivan, Eoghan Ryan, Keith Whelan, Enda Malone, Mark Hanrahan, Gary Hogan.
Sub: Ivor White for K Johnston.
Bridge Celtic A: Adrian Dhouig, Diarmuid Aherne, William Slattery, Rob Cassidy, Rob Seymour, Paul McEvoy, Shane Byrnes, Conor Hynes, Ryan Morris, Stephen McCarthy, Fergal Lyons.
Subs: Ricky Mowatt, Paul O’Connell and Noel Howard.

St Pat’s   0    Manus Celtic B   2
MANUS Celtic B secured their place in the last 16 with a victory over St Pat’s at Kilmihil.
The visitors took the lead in the second half when Declan Frawley scored and they sealed victory with a second from Eamonn Callinan 10 minutes from the end. The winners enjoyed midfield advantage in the second half and this proved decisive.
St Pat’s: Michael Dolan, Aidan Sexton, Damian Clohessy, Brendan Moloney, David Rigney, John Hickey, Nigel Hehir, Sean Haugh, Mark Bohannon, Stephen Moloney, Micheál Sexton.
Manus Celtic B: Brian Keogh, Michael Malone, Barry Malone, Gary Farmer, Seanie Moloney, Danny Scanlan, Conor Plunkett, Declan Frawley, Eamonn Callinan, Shane Considine, Bernard Scanlan.
Subs: Blaise Talty for B Maloney, John Pyne for Scanlan and Donogh Murphy for Plunkett.

Rineanna Rovers B   5    Cooraclare Celtic   0
RINEANNA Rovers B were comfortable winners over Cooraclare Celtic at Shannon last weekend.
The winners were three goals ahead at half-time and they continued to hold the upperhand in the second half against a Cooraclare Celtic side that was under strength and could only field 10 players.
Alan Barrett and Shane Meehan each scored two goals for the winners, while Martin Frawley also got on the scoresheet.
Rineanna Rovers B: Eugene O’Mahoney, John O’Halloran, Dara McCormack, David Barrett, Paudie O’Looney, Alan Barrett, Martin Frawley, Kieran O’Connor, Declan O’Mahoney, Shane Meehan, Ger Cahill.
Subs: Mark Cahill, Conor Quinlivan and Alan Leamy.
Cooraclare Celtic: Michael Healy, Tommy O’Connor, Gearóid Kelly, David Keane, Colm Carroll, Paul Lynch, Gerard O’Brien, Declan McMahon, Paul Murphy, Joe Kelly.

Cratloe Forest   3    Shannon Olympic B   0
CRATLOE Forest had a comfortable win over Shannon Olympic B on Sunday.
The winners’ goals came from Brian McMillan (2) and Kane O’Shea and they were 1-0 up at half-time after O’Shea’s strike.
Cratloe Forest: Pierce De Loughrey, Chris McGrath, Thomas O’Connor, Philip Counihan, Aidan Browne, Ally McMillan, Brian McMillan, Damian Browne, Kane O’Shea, Sean Hynan, Gearóid Ryan.
Subs: Sean Chaplin, David Quinn, Tommy Joyce and Jeremy Courtois.
Shannon Olympic B: Brian Barry, Rob Morrissey, Vlado Pahuli, Cathal McKee, Declan McManus, Gregorsz Zimja, Adam Kelly, Cian O’Brien, Ryan Kamper, Karl Ahlsved, Kakai Ko.
Subs: Conor Flynn for Cathal McKee, Aidan Boreland for Gregorsz Zimja, Terry O’Donnell for Kakei Ko and Joe Brennan for Adam Kelly.

Burren United   4    Kilkishen Celtic   0
KILKISHEN Celtic were beaten for the second time in this season’s cup race when they travelled to Lisdoonvarna on Sunday.
In the first round they went under to Manus Celtic A, who were subsequently dumped out of the race when the Clare League ruled that the transfer of Adrian McDonagh from Avenue to Manus wasn’t properly carried out.
Burren dominated from the outset and took the lead when John McDonagh scored after a cross from Martin McDonagh. Liam Keane added a brace and they led 3-0 at half-time. Mark McCarthy had their fourth with 10 minutes remaining.
Kilkishen Celtic finished the game with nine men after Shane McInerney and Matt Holmes were sent off.
Burren United: Ian McInerney, Daniel Carey, Michael Keating, Enda Coughlan, Mark McCarthy, Martin McDonagh, Noel Downes, Marine Ghat, John McDonagh, Evan Talty, Liam Keane.
Subs: Graham O’Neill for Carey, John McCormack for Keane, James Keating for Downes and Martin Garrihy for M McDonagh.
Kilkishen Celtic: Damian O’Connell, Gary Murnane, Matt Holmes, Derek Canny, James Hook, John Cooney, Shane McInerney, Paul Murphy, Paul Hogan, Jake Murnane, Ian Donnellan.
Subs: Patrick McInerney for Donnellan.