Coole progress after exciting clash

Thirteen second round games in the race for the Prago Clare Junior Soccer Cup dominated the domestic scene on Sunday and only one penalty shoot-out was required.
Ahead of the weekend’s games, Lifford B were already into the last 16 following the withdrawal of Manus Celtic A from competition.
Bridge United A have followed them into round three without kicking a ball after they received a walkover from Cooraclare Celtic, whose participation in competition for the remainder of the season must now be in question.
Four of the weekend’s games needed extra time and in one of these, Bridge United B, beaten finalists for the past two seasons, came out on top over higher ranked opposition.
The biggest surprise on Sunday was the defeat of premier outfit Burren United on their home patch in Lisdoonvarna by Hermitage B.
Holders Avenue United and league leaders Newmarket Celtic A both recorded easy wins against Ruan United and Moher Celtic respectively, while Lifford A were comfortable winners over Kilrush Rangers.
Before the cup ties involving Hermitage on Sunday, a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the late Gerry Moroney from Market Street in Ennis.

West Clare Utd 1   Coole FC 2
(after extra time)
West Clare and Coole FC required extra time to get a winner when they clashed in the Junior Cup at Kilrush on Sunday.
It proved to be a cracking contest and the result was in doubt right to the finish. Last year’s Division 3 winners won the day against what many believe will be their successors as Division 3 champions as West Clare currently lead this league.
The visitors from Gort took the lead after 15 minutes when Kyle McCarthy drilled a free kick to the net, a score that separated the teams at the mid-point.
Five minutes into the second half the sides were back on terms when Jamie Russell found the net.
From here to the finish there was little between the sides but the visitors did come closest, hitting the post and forcing the home side to clear off the line.
The all-important goal came six minutes from the end of the second period of extra time when Wanderson Caesar rose highest to head home a Padraic Landers corner.
West Clare piled on the pressure in the final five minutes and Coole spent most of that time on the defence but they managed to hold on and secure a place in the next round.

West Clare United: Eamonn Tubridy; John Kelleher, Damian Honan, Daithi O’Brien, Hugh McNally; Matthew Moloney, Tony Doherty, Enda Doyle, Jamie Russell; Brian Harte, Jason Russell.
Subs: Shane Ryan, Gearóid Lynch, Gearóid Russell.
Coole FC: Abnor Condillio; Alex Brukard, Stephen Quinn, Aidan O’Boyle, David Franklin; Padraig Landers, Richard Prince, Wanderson Casear, Dave Cahill, Kyle McCarthy, Danielo Bento.
Subs: Wellington Swords; Ger Fahy.

Ennis Town Rock 3 Kilmaley Utd 2
A good start is half the battle the saying goes, which Ennis Town Rock will agree with after their win over Division 3 outfit Kilmaley United at Lees Road.
The winners were three goals up inside the first quarter with Stephen Hickey scoring at either side of an Adrian Walshe effort.
As the game progressed Kilmaley did better and before the half-time whistle, they pulled one back through Joel Lomi. Fifteen minutes into the second half Shane Constable had their second. They came close to equalising when Shane Daniels almost put through his own goal when his backpass was inches outside the upright with substitute goalkeeper Gary Browne beaten.

Ennis Town Rock: Stephen Loftus; Greg Howard, Ronan Judge, Gary Walsh, Shane Daniels, Francis Daniels, Adrian Walsh, Daryl Eade, Dean Gardiner, David Reidy, Stephen Hickey.
Subs: Sean Kennedy for Loftus; Ritchie Neylon for F Daniels; Gary Browne for Eade.
Kilmaley United: Daniel Drewieci; Pat Sherlock, Bobby O’Donoghue, John Hassett, Gareth Thompson, Mark Healy, Tommy Cronin, Gavin Cording, Sean O’Flanagan, Shane Constable, Joel Lomi.
Subs: John Sherlock, Matt Foudy, Victor Flynn.

Sporting Ennistymon 3   Manus Celtic B 1
(after extra time)
Sporting Ennistymon came from behind to overcome Manus Celtic B in this cup tie played at Lahinch on Sunday.
After a scoreless first half, the visitors took the lead midway through the second period when substitute Bernard Scanlan scored shortly after he had been introduced.
With the game entering the final five minutes. Manus looked set to double their advantage. Danny Scanlan put the ball out of play to allow for attention to be given to one of the Ennistymon players who was injured at the time.
When play resumed Ennistymon went on the attack straight away and levelled through Sean McConigley. Manus manager Dereck Dormer was sent from the grounds by referee Martin Monahan when he protested.
In the first period of extra time, Jamesie McConigley put the winners into the lead. As the game entered the final five minutes, Manus Celtic threw everything into attack and the home side were under a lot of pressure. Manus forced a couple of corners in quick succession.
Two minutes from the end of extra time, Ennistymon made a quick break and the McConigley brothers, Cathal, Jamesie and Sean combined before Sean hit his second to seal a victory for the home side. At the time Manus had all of their players, including goalkeeper Brian Keogh, up in attack as they chased a winner.
Incidentally the game ended with the home side having four McConigley brothers on the playing field.

Sporting Ennistymon: Richard Leigh, Patrick O’Dwyer, John Mullane, Robbie McInerney Alan Sexton; Eoin Brennan, Declan O’Looney, Pa Foley, Damian Flanagan, Cathal McConigley, Sean McConigley.
Subs: Jamesie McConigley, Thomas McConigley, Mark Burke.
Manus Celtic B: Brian Keogh; Andrew Page, Seanie Moloney, Colin Higgins, Barry Malone; Declan Frawley, Conor Plunkett, Kevin Clohessy, Danny Scanlan, Donogh Murphy, Michael Geraghty.
Subs: Bernard Scanlan for Higgins; Michael McDonagh for Geraghty; Stephen Geraghty for Murphy; Eamonn Callinan for Page; Michael Malone for B Malone.

Moher Celtic 1   Newmarket Celtic A 6
Newmarket Celtic A were comfortable winners over Moher Celtic at Lahinch on Sunday.
The winners were 4-0 in front at half-time thanks to goals from Daithi O’Connell, Gary Collins (2) and Eoin O’Brien. Ronan McCormack stretched the lead to five early in the second half before Moher pulled one back through Donogh Fawl.
Newmarket had the final say when Paudie Hayes scored to seal a comfortable win.

Moher Celtic: Georgie Benn; Barry McGovern, David McInerney, Donogh Fawl, Brian Conway, Cohen Phillipson, Willie Muphy, Kevin Scales, Sean Cullinan; Johnnie Daly, Declan Fawl.
Subs: Thomas McDonagh, Jack Queally, Davy Commane.
Newmarket Celtic A: Jason Casey; Darren Cullinan, Stephen Kelly, Eoin O’Brien, Colm Treacy; Michael Devitt, Paudie Hayes, Seamus Considine, Ronan McCormack; Daithi O’Connell, Gary Collins.
Subs: Kieran Devitt for O’Connell; Neil Ryan for Collins; Seamus Lawlor for E O’Brien.

 

Hermitage A 0   Avenue United B 1
An Eoghan O’Loughlin strike in the 19th minute proved decisive at the Fairgreen on Sunday morning where Avenue United B created somewhat of a surprise when accounting for premier outfit Hermitage A.
Shortly before half-time they should have doubled their advantage but Eamonn O’Reilly headed into the side netting following a Gary Seary cross from a free on the left.

Hermitage A: Rhys Phillips; Liam Meaney, Neil Mills, David Moloney, Eoghan Ryan, Ger Dullaghan, Colin Ryan, Sean McGee, Robert Dinan, Paul Dullaghan, Ritchie Fitzgerald.
Sub: Shane Talty for C Ryan.
Avenue United B: Killian Culligan; Gary Seary, Shane Browne, Eamonn O’Reilly, Cian Darcy, Shane O’Brien, Neil Slattery, Eoghan O’Loughlin, Darren O’Meara, Simon McDonagh, Craig McNamara.
Subs: Emyra Zakeri for O’Brien.

Kildysart Celtic 4   St Pat’s 2
Kildysart Celtic advanced to the next round of the cup when they overcame neighbours St Pat’s at Cahercon on Sunday.
Lucky not to have found themselves a goal down after St Pat’s opening attack, the home side took the lead within minutes when Gerry Finn scored.
With just over half an hour played they doubled their advantage through Damian Hill. Five minutes later, they struck again when Finn had his second to send his side 3-0 ahead, which was the position at half time.
Ten minutes into the second half St Pat’s pulled one back through David Talty after a mix up in the home side’s defence. As the game entered the final quarter, St Pat’s were awarded a penalty and Brendan McNamara converted to close the gap to the minimum.
They had a chance to level shortly after this but Niall Pender’s effort was stopped by Keith Murphy. Five minutes from time Brian Ayers sealed victory for the home side when he broke from defence, took the ball up field before finding the net from 25-yards.

Kildysart Celtic: Keith Murphy; Rory Murphy, Pat Coffey, Charlie McCarthy, Brian Ayers; Kieran Connolly, Christy Clancy, Jonathon Hickey, Kieran Ayers; Gerry Finn, Damian Hill.
Subs: Eddie Murphy for McCarthy; Francie Nealon for R Murphy; Paudge McMahon for C Clancy; Liam Finn for Hill.
St Pat’s: Keith Considine; Mark Bohannon, Damian Clohessy, David Rigney, Sean McNamara, Brendan McNamara, Sean Haugh, Damian Carmody, John Hickey, Aidan Sexton, Shane Egan.
Subs: David Talty for A Sexton; Niall Pender for M Bohannon.

Ruan United 1   Avenue United A 7
The gap between the premier and the third division was evident when Avenue united overcame Ruan United at the latter’s venue.
The Ennis side would not have been flattered had the winning margin been much greater, such was their dominance on a day when they held a 4-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from David Russell, David Smith, Dave McCarthy and Alan Roche.
They continued to dominate after the break and Barry Nugent, David McCarthy and Con Collins stretched their lead to seven before the home side got in for a consolation score from Patrick Keegan.

Ruan United: Rory Breen; Conor Reeves, Hugh O’Donnell, Leon Quirke, Willie Treacy, Jonathon Clohessy, Damian Quirke, Barry Cusack, Paul Dinan, Jason Morris, Dean Lee.
Subs: Gavin Dinan for Cusack; Karl Mahoney for Dinan; David Burke for C Reeves; Patrick Keegan for Morris.
Avenue United A: Liam Deasy; Simon Cuddy; Mattie Nugent, David Russell, Con Collins, Pa Wilson, Alan Roche, David Herlihy, David Smith, Barry Nugent, David McCarthy.
Subs: Alex Zmusko for Russell; Colin Smith for McCarthy.

Mountshannon Celtic 2   Bunratty-Cratloe A 0
Mountshannon Celtic booked their place in the next round with this victory over Bunratty-Cratloe A at Scariff.
The winners got off to a dream start with a goal from Graham Bowes in the first minute. This score separated the sides at the interval.
Shortly before the end Keelan McNamara scored a second for the winners. Paul Butler saw his penalty for Bunratty-Cratloe A saved by Colm Kavanagh, while the losers saw a couple efforts rebound off the upright.
Mountshannon FC will hold a table quiz on Friday at Cois na hAbhna at 9pm.

Mountshannon Celtic: Colm Kavanagh; Joe Underwood, Martin McNamara, Padraig Brody, Andrew McNamara, Keith Finnerty, Raymond Cahill, Kevin Dooley, Graham Bowes, Sam Slater, Keelan McNamara.
Subs: Paul O’Rourke, John Moloney, John O’Brien.
Bunratty-Cratloe A: Pierce De Loughrey; Philip Counihan, Gearóid O’Connell, Mickey Hayes, Eoin Nash, Sean McDonald, Brian McMillan, Ronan Hayes, Paul Butler, Sean Hynan, Diarmuid Nash.
Sub: Brian Phelan.

Bridge United B 3   Bridge Celtic 3
(AET – Bridge B won 3-2 on penalties)
Beaten finalists for the past two years, Bridge United B maintained their involvement in this year’s title race when they overcame Bridge Celtic after a penalty shoot-out.
They looked to be on their way out of the competition when they trailed by a goal with less than a minute left. In a last gasp attack, they scored through Billy Maxwell after Niall Gilligan had headed on a Greg Deegan free to send the game into extra time, which failed to yield a score.
The winners took an early lead through David O’Connor but Celtic hit back for goals from Paul McEvoy and Alan Conway. The home side levelled through Niall Gilligan but Paul McEvoy put the visitors back into the lead leaving the score 3-2 at half time.
Celtic supporters were making plans for the next round when the home side hit the equaliser in the closing seconds.
In the penalty shoot-out Kevin McEvoy and Trevor Howard scored for the visitors while Diarmuid Ahern’s effort was saved. William Slattery put his effort wide.
Billy Maxwell had his penalty saved while Albert Finnan, Greg Deegan and Jason White were on target for the winners to book their place in the next round.

Bridge United B: Barry Deasy; Albert Finnan, Billy Maxwell, Dylan Fleming, Gavin White; David O’Connor, Stephen Stewart, Tadhg Keogh, Paul Corbett; Greg Deegan, Niall Gilligan.
Subs: Jason White for Corbett; Michael White for O’Connor, Ricky Maxwell for Fleming.
Bridge Celtic: Paul O’Connell; Diarmuid Ahern, Pat Conway, William Slattery, Stephen Howard; Wesley Fleming, Trevor Howard, Paul McEvoy Dean Sinnott; Alan Conway, Seamus Gleeson;
Subs: Kevin McEvoy, Fergal Lyons, Ollie Phillips, Pat Tobin.

Lifford A 4   Kilrush Rangers 0
Lifford got a dream start in this tie played at Cassidy Park when Michael Sullivan gave them the lead in the fourth minute.
From here on they were in control but Kilrush defended well and the home side had to wait until two minutes from the break to double their advantage. A foul on TJ Ajisomo resulted in a penalty which Ryan Boyle put away to leave his side 2-0 ahead at the break.
In the second half Ruairi Norrby and Killian Malone scored for the winners who were a little unlucky not to have had a few more goals on the day.

Lifford A: Jan Da Silva; Eoin Murphy, Dylan Blake, Michael J Sullivan, Hamad Kuku; Pat Darcy, Ryan Boyle, TJ Ajisomo, Darren O’Neill, Paul Cantillon, Ruairi Norrby.
Subs: Killian Malone for Boyle; Liam Keane for O’Neill; Muse Basha for Ajisomo; Eric Murphy for Da Silva.
Kilrush Rangers: Johnnie O’Connor; Darren Clarke, Johnnie Stack, Kevin Larkin, Martin Danagher, Eoin Fitzgerald, Terry Herlihy, Robert Carey, Gerard O’Brien, Trevor Clancy, Niall Brennan.
Subs: Ruairi O’Connor for O’Brien.

Kilkishen Celtic 0   Connolly Celtic 1
Connolly Celtic travelled to Kilkishen on Sunday and scored a hard earned win over the home side.
The all-important goal was scored by Brian Connellan with just three minutes remaining.
The sides were evenly matched throughout but defences dominated for the most part. Brian Connellan hit the post in the first half.

Kilkishen Celtic: Brian Culbert; Steve Donnellan, Matt Holmes, Ray McInerney, Paul Hogan, James Hook, Shane McInerney, Derek Canny, John Cooney, Paul Murphy, Noel Kierce.
Subs: Mark Pewter for Kierce.
Connolly Celtic: Niall Quinn; Lubizeta, Kieran Dillon, Keith O’Looney, Barry Lynch, John Kelly, Kenneth Kennedy, Brian Connellan, Alan Markham, Brendan Dillon, Jan Feck.
Subs: Mickey Byrnes for Feck; Bernard Field for Kelly.

Burren United 1  Hermitage B 2
(after extra time)
Hermitage B travelled to Lisdoonvarna as outsiders against the premier outfit and caused a surprise when they returned with victory.
After a scoreless first half, Hermitage took the lead through Kenneth Kelly but Burren fought back to level through Alex Garcia.
In extra time, Noel Frawley got through for what proved to be the decisive score which sent ‘Tage B through to the next round.

Burren Utd: John McDonagh; Daniel Carey, Michael Keating, Barry O’Grady, Dale Masterson, Alex Garcia, Gary McNamara, Pat Nagle, Martin McDonagh, Patrick Darcy, Danny Burke.
Sub: Conor Burke for McNamara.
Hermitage B: Eoin Slattery; Cyril Casey, Cathal Keane, Chris Riordan, Eoin Cahill, Francis Franks, Brian McMahon, Noel Frawley, Danny Russell, Kenneth Kelly, Robert Downes.
Subs: Barry McNamara for Franks; David Cahill for Downes.

Walkover
Bridge United A received a walkover from Cooraclare Celtic.

Remaining games
The remaining two second round games are down for decision on Sunday. Rhine Rovers will be hoping to get back to winning ways after their first league defeat of the season last week, when they lost to Corofin Harps, when they play Treaty Celtic in the cup. This tie was postponed from last Sunday due to bereavement. The game will be played at the Fairgreen.
Newmarket Celtic B will entertain Shannon Olympic B at McDonogh Park and Newmarket will be fancied to follow their A side into the next round.