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With thanks to Michael Gorman…
FAI Junior Cup Rd 6
Carew Park 2
Hanover Harps 1
Hanover bowed out of the FAI Junior Cup in Limerick as Kieran Hanlon struck late to win it for the hosts.
Hanover started the better of the sides and showed their intent early on when only the post prevented Niall Swan from opening the scoring from 20 yards on 10 minutes. Daryl Hayden also shot wide from 14 yards as Harps pushed for an early lead. Carew settled into the game and Hanlon shot over from a tight angle before the same player teed up Jonathan Grant 12 yards out but Jamie Hennessey produced the save to keep the game scoreless. The opening goal arrived 10 minutes from half time when Graham Delaney’s inch perfect cross from the left wing was headed powerfully to the net by Daryl Hayden as Harps took a lead into half time.
The hosts started the second half on the front foot and deservedly leveled matters just after the hour mark when Brian Ahearn crossed for Grant to slide in at the back post to make it 1-1. Hanover regrouped and went in search of a winner only to see Jamie Stewart in the Carew goal deny Hayden, Alan Shaw and Mark Davis with great saves. Disaster struck for Hanover when Carew broke downfield with 90 seconds left on the clock and Hanlon pounced on Jamie O’Sullivan’s cross to win it for the Limerick side.
Sean Kavanagh, Phil Neenan, Graham Delaney and Simon O’Shea impressed for a Harps side that will be bitterly disappointed to return home empty handed.
Med Bar Cup
Kilree Celtic 6
Burrin Celtic 2
Kilree proved much too strong for a Burrin side, who struggled to get a full number on the pitch.
After six minutes David McDonald with a good finish from outside the box put Kilree ahead. Four minutes later and the lead was doubled by Mark McDonald. Kilree eased into a 3-0 lead when David McDonald scored his second goal of the game just on half-time.
In the second half Kilree continued to pile on the pressure and Alan Salter made it 4-0 on the hour. Burrin to their credit stuck to their guns and Mikey Barcoe pulled a goal back for the Ballon side. However, Kilree then went 5-1 up with a well struck free kick from PJ O’Rourke and Alan Salter made it 6-1 with his second goal of the game on 86 minutes. Burrin managed to pull another goal back from Joe Holden in injury time, but it is Kilree who march on to Round 2 of The Med Bar Cup.
Excellent for Kilree were Eamon Nolan, Alan Salter and Mark McDonald. For Burrin Matty Dowling, Michael Slattery and Conor Quinn battled gamely.
St. Patrick’s Boys B 2
Hanover Harps B 8
Hanover had a big win in Graiguecullen on Sunday to advance to Round 2 of The Med Bar Cup.
In the first minute Hanover went ahead with a towering header from Johnny Waters. The lead was doubled on four minutes with a fine solo goal from Dylan Walsh. Pat’s settled and got a goal back with a 25 yard shot from Ross Hennessy. A tap in from close range by Aaron Wynne restored Hanover’s two goal lead. Pat’s responded again and just on half-time Gearoid Cuddihy converted a penalty to leave the half-time score 2-3.
It was all one-way traffic in the second half and the goals flowed for Hanover with David Dunne, Liam Kearney, Marc Corcoran and Shane Kelly finding the Pat’s net. The goal of the game came on 88 minutes when Marc Corcoran went on a mazy run beating three defenders before stitching the ball in the top corner to round off a comfortable win.
Tops for Hanover were Willie Moran, Aaron Wynne and Paul Clancy. For Pat’s Johnny Moore, Gearoid Cuddihy and Conor Hogan tried hard.
Nationalist Premier Division
St. Fiacc’s 0
Crettyard United 2
The Champions were forced to work very hard for this win by a determined and organised St Fiacc’s side. Strikes from Seamus Dowling and Adam O’Rourke ensured that all three points went back to Cretty.
Fiacc’s put in a very strong performance their stubborn defending proved to be a thorn in the champions’ side throughout the game. Crettyard started the game on the front foot controlling possession and creating chances but failing to truly break down a resilient home defence. While Fiacc’s looked a threat on the break, they seemed happy to soak up the pressure and allow Cretty possession in unthreatening areas. Fiacc’s ‘keeper Farrell Cuddihy had to be on his toes as he denied Lee Salter with a fine save at his front post and again from a Terry Haughney header. The home side did have a good chance after half an hour when Bob Nolan raced past the Cretty defence only to see his shot saved. Fiacc’s had an appeal for a penalty turned when it looked like a Cretty defender handled the ball in the box but the referee waved it away. With the away side thwarted time and again, the score at the break was 0-0, a testament to the Saints’ solid defending.
The tale of the second half was similar to that of the first, with the away side dominating possession and pressing for the goal that would break the deadlock. Cretty may have been frustrated time and again by the stalwart home defence but they weren’t letting it show as they continued to pile pressure onto Fiacc’s backline. Comerford and substitute O’Rourke rattled the crossbar as the home side tried desperately to keep Cretty out. The away side finally broke the deadlock on 74 minutes, Seamus Dowling firing home an unstoppable shot to put his side ahead. With Fiacc’s now forced to come out and push for the equaliser, they looked dangerous but they also left gaps at the back which were all too easy to exploit for the champions Cretty. O’Rourke put the game beyond all doubt with a tidy finish after Cretty cut the Fiacc’s defence apart for one of the few times in the game as the clock ticked down. The goal came just after Dale Byrne was dismissed for the home side after receiving his second yellow. Cretty travel home with the three points despite the best efforts of a stubborn Saints’ backline. Best for Crettyard were Jason Enright Mikey Byrne and Jimmy Dunne while Fiacc’s can be proud after a strong team performance where, at times, they looked on par with the champions.
New Oak Boys 1
St Patrick’s Boys 1
New Oak and St Pat’s had to settle for a point each in their first game since Christmas as a Lee Walker strike on 88 minutes for the home side ensured a share of the spoils.
The visitors started at a quick pace and were awarded a corner in the opening exchanges when Bobby Doogue’s cross was blocked down. Conor Clack crossed the ball to the back post and Conor Byrne rose highest to head the ball home and give the away side the lead. The game opened up as the half wore on with Pat’s creating the better chances when Will Kinsella played Dominic Byrne through on goal but he could not get the shot away. Boys kept pressing as the half went on and Conor Clack created a good chance when he played Doogue in on the right but his shot was saved at the near post.
The second half saw New Oak keep the ball very well and take control without really playing the killer pass through the Pat’s defence. The visitors created chances on the break with Dominic Byrne and Will Kinsella causing problems but New Oak seemed the more likely to score as the clock ticked down. The equaliser came with just two minutes of normal time to play, Lee Walker finishing from a long ball.
Best for Pat’s were Craig Walker, Conor Clack and James Reddy while Lee Walker, Jamie Clarke and Lee Murphy impressed for the home side.
Killeshin 0
Baltinglass Town 1
It was the Wicklow side who took home all three points from Killeshin on Sunday as a late strike ensured the win.
Both teams struggled to create an early rhythm but it was Killeshin who got the best early chance when Brian Farrell and Ian Brennan were denied by good saves from Paddy Cronin in the Balto goal. Both defences were kept busy but neither side could finish their chances and it remained 0-0 at half time.
The game sparked into life early in the second half and once again it was a combination of good goal keeping and poor finishing that saw Killeshin miss the great chances they had created. Shane Coakley was very unlucky on two occasions when his low drive was turned away by the Baltinglass keeper. He beat two defenders but his shot hit the side netting. With Killeshin having the better of the exchanges it was Baltinglass who broke the deadlock when they broke quickly from defence and Paddy McGrath made no mistake to score the only goal of the game and secure the three points.
Best for the winners were Paddy Cronin, John Martin and James Gahan. Best for Killeshin were Brian Lawler, Dan Brennan and Niall O’Rourke.
Burger King Carlow Division Three
Killeshin 0
Mill Celtic 4
Four goals from Sean Higgins paved the way for a Mill victory in Killeshin.
The opening exchanges were very even and Keane Nolan for Killeshin was denied by a great save from the Celtic keeper. Then Higgins struck for his first goal midway through the half and his side went in at the interval 1-0 up.
The Ballitore side were on top in the second half and Higgins doubled the lead on 55 minutes. The Mill centre forward continued to punish the Killeshin side and two goals in five minutes from the striker opened up an emphatic lead, which they held onto without much trouble for the remainder of the game.
Eric and Wesley Mackey and Sean Higgins were outstanding for Mill. With Fergus Nolan, Brian Lowry and Keelan Galligan best for Killeshin.
Hanover Harps 4
Village FC 2
Hanover picked up maximum points from this tie in The Plots.
After eleven minutes the home side hit the front when Gavin Glover squared a ball to Dillon Murphy, who scored from close range. Hanover were on the front foot and went further ahead when John McGrath flicked on a ball to Dillon Murphy, who notched his second goal on 27th minutes. Four minutes later it was 3-0 when Gavin Glover got free down the right wing and crossed for Chris Bermingham to fire home. The score line remained the same at the half-time whistle.
Village managed to pull a goal back after 53 minutes, but they then conceded a penalty and Dillon Murphy converted on 55 minutes for a 4-1 lead. A minute later Village were reduced to ten men following a red card and although they battled bravely the game was up for them despite getting a second goal on 85 minutes.
For Hanover there were notable performances from Jason Kenny, John McGrath, Gavin Glover and Dillon Murphy.
SuperValu U18 Division
Mill Celtic 1
Parkville United 3
A depleted Parkville who were shorn of four of their regular players put in a terrific team performance to see off a spirited Mill Celtic challenge in a well contested match.
The visitors had some early chances but they didn’t convert them and generally defences were on top. Just before the heavens opened up, Bob Gahan put through Tom Pollard on goal and he finished with aplomb for a 0-1 lead to Parkville. Cormac Flynn was showing some neat touches and play in Mill’s final third and was causing them plenty of problems, as Parkville started to control things. Mill equalised against the run of play when Jack Nolan thumped home a stunning strike from all of 25 yards for 1-1 and that was the half-time score.
Just after the interval Parkville introduced John Byrne and Emre Yilmaz as substitutes and they both had an immediate impact. They linked well together as Byrne’s searing pace took him past two Mill defenders and he squared to Yilmaz who shot just over. On 65 minutes, Tom Pollard played through John Byrne and he coolly slotted home for 1-2 and five minutes later, he scored an identical goal for 1-3, with Sam Sheppard being the provider. Parkville played the last 15 minutes with only ten men as they used all their substitutions and Sam Sheppard had to go off injured. Despite Mill upping their game Parkville weathered the storm and didn’t allow Mill any chances to earn a well-deserved victory and keep their Championship aspirations intact.
Best for Mill were Jack Nolan, Conor Sullivan and Shane Quirke, whilst standing out for Parkville were Tom Pollard, Sam Sheppard and ‘man of the match’ Bob Gahan.
New Oak Boys 2
Palatine Celtic 7
This was a very even contest in the first 15 minutes, but there were no clear-cut chances for either side. Pal made the break-through on 20 minutes when Martin Doyle found the net having been put through by Darragh Fitzpatrick for 0-1. New oak struck back, almost immediately, through Danny Corrin for 1-1, when he finished off a fine right-wing move.
Pal then took complete control and scored through Odhlan Duff, with a fine header on 30 minutes and a fine solo effort by Darragh Fitzpatrick made it 1-3 on 32 minutes.
The deluge of goals continued, with Conor McDonald making it 1-4 on 35 minutes after being put through by Martin Doyle and just before the interval, martin Doyle scored his second for 1-5 and pal took this score to the interval.
After the excitement of a scintillating first half, the second half was a much duller affair, as Pal rested on their laurels and New oak were unable to make any real impact, although, they did give Colm Heneghan some practice in Pal’s goal, as he was forced to make three good saves, to keep them out.
Conor McDonald scored his second goal on 55 minutes for 1-6 and the outstanding Martin Doyle completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes for 1-7.
New Oak had the last say, when just before the end, Jake Oman, bundled home the ball for a final score line of 2-7 and with this victory, Pal leapfrog new Oak in the table.
Best for Pal in an excellent team performance were Martin Doyle, Conor McDonald, Jack Finn and Darragh Fitzpatrick, whilst standing out for an out-classed New Oak team were Evan Dudley, Danny Corrin, Jake Oman and Cian Dowling.
St Fiacc’s FC 3
St Anne’s FC 3
There were plenty of goals, in this ‘bottom of the table clash’ in a thriller of a match with the result in doubt right to the end.
The home side dominated the early exchanges but were denied by some poor finishing and some excellent defending by St Anne’s. Jordan McCarthy was ‘pulling the strings’ in midfield for Fiacc’s and he was rewarded with a goal on 30 minutes that went in via a deflection for 1-0. Fiacc’s kept piling on the pressure but St Anne’s equalised through Justin Hoyne against the run of play and again with the aid of a deflection and this was the interval score line.
The second half was nip and tuck with neither side creating very much in terms of clear-cut chances. Fiacc’s made a substitution and within seconds Kian “Kur” Carroll, pounced in the six-yard box to score and put Fiacc’s back in the lead 2-1. Fiacc’s were still dangerous but were pegged back again courtesy of some more poor defending when an excellent finish by Fionn O’Rourke on 57 minutes for 2-2. Just seven minutes from the end another wicked deflection caught out the Fiacc’s keeper and St Anne’s took the lead for the first time in the match through a fine goal by Jamie Morgan. Fiacc’s continued to press for a goal and they were rewarded just before the end when debutant Jordei Coleman, a new signing from New Oak Boys, scored for 3-3 and that was how it ended in what was a fair overall result.
Best for St Fiacc’s were Neill Webb, Jordan McCarthy, Dean Williamson and Jordei Coleman, whilst it was a good overall team performance from the St Anne’s lads.
St Patrick’s Boys 4
Nurney Villa 0
St Pat’s Boys and Nurney Villa met in this op of the table clash’ and it was St Pat’s who started the better against an injury ravaged side Nurney side when they went 1-0 up after only seven minutes through Jamie Farrell who fired home from the edge of box after being set up by Michael Dobosz,
Just three minutes later Farrell returned the compliment when he set up Dobosz, who thumped home the ball at the near post for 2-0. St Pat’s found it difficult to get into a rhythm after that and they also found difficulty in matching Nurney’s high intensity work-rate.
Nurney created a number of chances, but just couldn’t get that vital touch and Martin Brigett and Luke Kehoe stood out in St Pat’s midfield in keeping Nurney at bay and they took their 2-0 lead to the interval.
The home side came out the hungrier in the second-half with Kelvin Corcoran and Evan Lowry dominating midfield and they were ably assisted by Luke Fitzpatrick on the right, who created chance after chance for his strikers Michael Dobosz and Stephen Crowe but they were all squandered. St Pat’s went further ahead on 70 minutes, when Evan Lowry played a ‘one-two’ with Jamie Farrell and then finished smartly to the corner of the net for 3-0.
St Pat’s finished off a comprehensive victory, when Kelvin Corcoran found space, 18 yards out, turned his marker and slotted home for 4-0.
Best for St Pat’s were Luke Kehoe, Conor Hogan and Andrew Kehoe, whilst standing out for Nurney were Shane O’Reilly, James Lillis and Sean Taylor.
Vale Wanderers 2
Crettyard United 1
This match was abandoned at half time due to weather conditions.
Women’s Division
Hanover Harps 9
Nurney Villa 0
Hanover were quick out of the gates and were two up early Niamh Kelly breaking the offside trap and a fine strike from Essmay Mannix. Nurney to their credit fought hard for the next 20 minutes and reduced Hanover to scraps. Mannix got her second on 30 minutes and had four by half-time.
Steph Kehoe got the goal of the game on 50 minutes when she scored from the near the sideline and Mannix’s predatory instincts came alive when she ended up with a tally of seven goals. Nurney’s work ethic was fabulous while Marie Hynes, Lisa Tobin, Niamh Kelly and Mary Nolan Maher were excellent on the day.
Newpark FC 2
Vale Wanderers 0
In what was a brilliant battle Vale started off the stronger team pressing Newpark from the off. Newpark held firm and it was end to end stuff. The home side broke on the counter attack and were rewarded with a fine goal by Demi Donovan. This did not knock the visitors as they kept up their hard pressing and came close to an equaliser from Phil Murphy. Newpark broke again and fine work from Denise Doyle setting up Demi Donovan for her second. Wanderers still kept up their hard work but fine defending from Rachel Wall, Marie Meagher and Annie Dunne kept them at bay.
Best for Vale were Phil Murphy, Lisa Miley, Lorna Drea and Claudia Watchorn.
