Munster Junior Cup
NT&DL two remaining representatives in the last 32 of the Munster Junior Cup had differing fortunes this weekend as BT Harps ‘A’ bowed out and Nenagh AFC ‘A’ marched into the last 16 for the second season running.
BT Harps ‘A’ welcomed top Waterford side Carrick United ‘A’ to Templemore, where the home side were looking to match the quality of their new high standard playing field. The current and still unbeaten leaders from the Waterford District Premier League took the lead after a cagey opening ten minutes from both sides as they unhinged Harp’s rear guard with some neat build up play. However, the home side were level ten minutes later when Johnny Coleman rose highest to powerfully head home from a corner to see both sides go in level at the break. Harps however, were caught napping early in the second half and went 2 -1 down and found it difficult to get back in the game as Carrick’s work rate off the ball was the telling difference. With time running out, Harps pushed men forward to level the game but were punished as Carrick added a third to see them through to the next round.
Nenagh AFC ‘A’ entertained Cork AUL Premier ‘A’ side Castleview AFC at Brickfields and turned in a second half performance that blitzed the Cork side as the Blue’s ran out comfortable 5 – 0 winners. It was 1 nil at the break after Bryan McGee powered home a Dan Dalton cross on the stroke of half time. Once Nathan Kelly hit home a second for Nenagh in the 50th minute, the game was never in doubt. Not long after, Thomas Sheppard added a third before man of the match Dan Dalton bagged a late brace to cap a fine individual performance as he helped his side earn another home draw against Limerick outfit Abbeyfeale United in the next round.
Youths Division
Ballymackey Youths winning streak came to an end as they hosted Nenagh AFC Youths and narrowly lost out 3 -2 in an entertaining game where the home side will feel they should have had something to show for their endeavours. Nenagh raced into a 3 – 0 lead at half time, Ballymackey began to get a foothold in the game in the second half as Gearoid Murphy converted a penalty soon followed by a Calvin O’Rourke strike. Nenagh remain unbeaten but will be thankful for a disallowed goal and the woodwork coming to their rescue as the welcomed the full time whistle.
BT Harps Youths remain in pole position in the top tier as they overcame home side Birdhill thanks to a 5 – 3 score line. Harps were 2 – 1 up at half time thanks to Mikey Greed and Jack Kennedy where Birdhill’s first goal came courtesy of an own goal. Harps raced into a 5 – 2 second half lead with Jordan Moloney, Martin O’Connell and Stevie Quinlan. The host’s consolation goals came from Jack Delahunty who scored twice but it wasn’t enough to oversee the league contenders from Templemore.
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