Compiled by Adrian Cooke
FAI Junior Cup – Round 2
Last weekend saw Europe’s largest amateur soccer competition properly kick off with its second round of fixtures which included a host of NT&DL teams. Of the teams who faced TSDL sides last Sunday, unfortunately no NT&DL side came out on top against their southern counterparts, with the exception of Nenagh Celtic whose game was abandoned due to a serious injury. The glamour tie of the round featured Peake Villa and Nenagh AFC at the Tower grounds, where the Thurles side came out on top after a penalty shootout when it had ended 3 – 3 after extra time. A heavily depleted Roscrea United lost out to a rampant Clonmel Celtic as did Clodiagh Rangers who hosted Wilderness Rovers. Extra time was needed to separate hosts Cahir Park and Moneygall where the Cahir side won with the odd goal in three. Newly formed Barnane gave a good account of themselves away to Donohill but lost out on a 3 – 2 score line. Thurles Town travelled to face Old Bridge FC in Clonmel and lost out in yet another penalty shootout after the game had finished 3 – 3 after extra time. The result of the weekend was Streamstown Celtic’s 1 nil victory over Premier League side Cloughjordan to see them through to the third round draw. Borrisokane hit a weakened Holycross with four goals to see them through where they will also be joined by BT Harps who were pushed all the way by second division side Ballymackey in a nine goal thriller which the Templemore side edged out with a 5 – 4 victory. All NT&DL sides will make a welcome return to league action next weekend in a bid to ease the burden of having very few sides in the hat for the third round draw.
Second Division
Clodiagh Rangers ‘B’ travelled to Nenagh AFC ‘C’ last Friday evening and lost out 3 nil as the hosts made to two wins from two to lift themselves off the foot of the table and condemn their guests to last place at this stage of the season. Stevie Daly, Paul Ahern and Paddy McInerney were all on form and netted a goal each for the endeavours. Kilcommon continue their good home form of late as they held second place Portumna to a 1 – 1 draw. Eamon Naughton was on the mark for the home side and Garry Curran made sure the Galway men made the long journey home with something to show for their days work. BT Harps ‘B’ remain top of the table after a comprehensive 5 – 1 victory over an understrength Roscrea United ‘B’ side. Eric Quinlan helped himself to a double in addition to the strikes from Dylan Loughnane, Willie Kavanagh and David Fennell. Cloughjordan ‘B’ earned a welcome and hard fought three points as they overcame Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ 2 – 1 with Dean O’Meara and Thomas Williams both on the mark.
Division 3
Gurtagarry remain both on top and unbeaten in the third division as they saw off Streamstown Celtic ‘B’ 5 nil with thanks to their form strikers Paddy Pio O’Rourke and Ronan Kinane who bagged a brace each. Second place Borrisokane ‘B’ continue to stay in touching distance of first place Gurtagarry with a 3 – 2 victory away to Lough Derg ‘B’. In an entertaining game, the hosts took the lead through Jamie Stuart only to see Darren Molloy equalise. Stuart grabbed his second of the game after the break but the impressive Matty Power levelled matters from the spot. With time running out, Jack Sherlock grabbed the important winner for Borrisokane although Lough Derg will feel aggrieved at having two goals disallowed for off side. Shannon Rangers and Sallypark ‘B’ shared the spoils with a 1 – 1 draw to stay comfortably placed in mid table. The hosts were ahead at half time thanks to a quality strike from Sean Moran who turned in a fine performance. Sean Ryan levelled the match after the hosts were guilty of not converting a number of clear chances in addition to a top class performance from the Sallypark goalkeeper. Ballymackey ‘B’ move into joint third position with a facile 6 nil win over Ballywilliam United which gives them good momentum as they prepare to face Lough Derg next Sunday in a game which could determine who goes into outright third position.
FAI Youths Cup
Last year’s holders Nenagh AFC bowed out of the competition at this early stage as they lost out to an impressive Clonmel Town side in Clonmel last Saturday on a 2 nil score line. BT Harps travelled to Moyglass and were thankful for a man of the match performance from Emmett Moloney who scored a hat trick, with the winner coming in extra time, to ensure the copied their senior club members as they find themselves worthy additions in the next round of this prestigious competition.