Connolly Celtic A 3   Shannon Olympic A 1 (AET)

CONNOLLY Celtic will play fellow parishioners Kilmaley-Fern Celtic in this Sunday’s second-round Junior Cup tie following their victory over Shannon Olympic at Kilmaley on Sunday.

A Shannon Olympic equaliser just before full-time resulted in extra time and, in the second period, the home side struck twice to seal their passage to the next round.

The winners took the lead midway through the first half when Brendan Dillon found the net and they held this lead until almost the final minute when Shannon Olympic levelled through substitute Darren McMahon, a score that forced the tie into extra time.

The first period was scoreless but in the second period, the experienced Connolly veteran Mickey Byrnes headed his side back in front and two minutes later, they sealed victory.

Byrnes was taken down by Olympic goalie Damian Casey resulting in the dismissal of the visitors’ goalie. Jan Fleck converted the resultant spot kick and Connolly commenced preparations for this week’s trip to Tiermaclane to face their neighbours.

Connolly Celtic A: Niall Quinn; Greg Howard, Cillian McNamara, Kieran Dillon, Ronnie Meere, John Kelly, Kenneth Kennedy, Brian Connellan, Brendan Dillon, Jan Fleck, John Paul Healy.
Sub: Mickey Byrnes for McNamara.
Shannon Olympic A: Damian Casey; David Collins, Darren Duggan, Ray Quigley, Wayne Regan; Jason Regan, Steve Dolan, Mickey O’Connell, Dean Power; Gary Leahy, Ritchie Hanley.
Subs: Ciarán Argue, Darren McMahon, Eamonn O’Neill, Shane Byrne, Gavin Lundy.

Burren United 0   Inch Crusaders 1

INCH Crusaders got the better of the premier-division opponents Burren United in the first round of the Clare Cup after a good performance at Lisdoonvarna on Sunday. Inch had the better of the early exchanges and were unlucky not to be in front with Brian McDonnell shooting wide from a Rory Killeen cross on 10 minutes.

John Earls, Conor Neylon and Mark Connellan all went close for Inch before Burren had their first real chance of the half on 30 minutes from a corner that Sean Talty did well to clear. Inch finished the half strong but it remained scoreless at the break.

The winners got a great start to the second half when, inside the first minute, James Rynne picked up a ball 40 yards from goal and took on the Burren defence. He rounded four defenders before unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the box that hit the Burren net. Inch were reduced to 10 men on 55 minutes when McDonnell was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in as many minutes.

With the extra man, Burren piled on the pressure but could find no way past a resolute Inch defence and Andy O’Flynn in the Inch goal. Late drama had Burren reduced to nine men with Michael Keating and Patrick Darcy sent off before a penalty award in the fourth minute of injury time gave Burren a chance to force extra time. John McDonagh saw his effort come off the crossbar and Inch deservedly advanced to a second-round meeting with Ennis Town Rock A. 

Inch Crusaders: Andy O’Flynn, John Earls, Thomas O’Doherty, Brendan Talty, Sean Talty, James Rynne, Brian McDonnell, Mark Connellan, Conor Neylon, Rory Killeen, Colin Burke.
Subs: Tom Lernihan for Killeen; Gareth Bowe for Burke.
Burren United: Darragh Pender; Dan Carey, Barry O’Grady, John McDonagh, Michael Keating, Dale Matterson, Chris Mroczek, Cian Flaherty, Patrick Darcy, Jason Hillery, John Stack.
Subs: Adrian Linnane, Gavin O’Loughlin, Murty Keating.

Turnpike Rovers 2   Kilkishen Celtic 2
(Kilkishen won 3-2 on penalities)

AFTER a scoreless opening half, Turnpike took the lead with 15 minutes remaining through Niall McMahon.
The lead was shortlived as, straight from the resumption of play, Kilkishen levelled when an effort by Fergus Donovan from near the halfway line just crept over the goal line.

Extra time followed and the Pike went back in front in the second period when Jason Carew scored. Kilkishen refused to concede and they levelled for the second time in the final minute through Paul Murphy, which led to a penalty shoot-out.

They were still level at the end of the scheduled five kicks leading to sudden death where Kilkishen for the vital score to seal their passage to the third round.

Celtic goalie Brian Culbert was the hero in the shoot-out as he saved three of the Pike’s spot kicks.

David McMahon and Kenneth Kelly scored penalties for the Pike, while the winners’ spot kicks were converted by Paul Murphy, John Cooney and Colm Gleeson. The win means Kilkishen are the first team through to Round 3.

Turnpike Rovers: Declan O’Loughlin; Kenneth Kelly, Jason Carew, Fergal Brennan, Danny Russell, Francis Franks, Mark Woods, Dermot Gannon, Ciaran Russell, Niall McMahon, Jason Hayes.
Subs: David McMahon for Hayes; John Rynne for Woods; James Keane for Gannon; Donnacda Hassett for Brennan.
Kilkishen Celtic: Brian Culbert; Micheal Fleming, Flan McMahon, Colm Gleeson, Mark Pewter, Pat McMahon, Eoin Pewter, Paul Murphy, Fergus Donovan, Noel Kierce, Gary Murnane.
Subs: Ray McInerney, Colm Fitzsimons, John Cooney.

Title race continues

THIRTEEN cup ties are listed for decision this Sunday when the holders Newmarket Celtic will open the defence of the title. They will entertain Lifford B and will be fancied to take the first step towards holding onto the crown for another season.

Bridge United A will be fancied to account for Hermitage C at Sixmilebridge, while Avenue A will carry the favourites’ tag when they entertain Tulla United B at Lees Road. 

Bunratty-Cratloe have been showing mixed form but they will be hoping home advantage will help them account for Corofin Harps. Avenue United B will, like their A team, carry the favourites’ tag when they entertain Manus Celtic.

A week after travelling to North Clare and beating Moher Celtic, the Bridgetown-based Bridge Celtic will hope to repeat that result when the sides clash in the cup with Bridge having home advantage on this occasion.
Hermitage B, fresh from their giant killing first round act when they defeated their A team, will travel to play Kildysart Celtic.

Lifford A should be strong enough to overcome Newmarket Celtic B. Lahinch will be the venue for the meeting of Sporting Ennistymon A and Tulla United A, while Coole FC will have to be at their best to overcome Mountshannon Celtic at Gort.

Ennis Town Rock BG will have Rineanna Rovers as visitors to Ennis, while Sporting Ennistymon B will entertain Rhine Rovers at Lisdoonvarna.

The game of the round may well be the derby clash of Kilmaley Fern Celtic and Connolly Celtic at Tiermaclane on Sunday morning.