Mixed Fortunes for NTDL teams in the FAI Junior Cup

By Gary Culbert

League action took a break last weekend as the FAI Junior Cup took center stage.

Sallypark 4-3 Bansha Celtic

The pick of the ties saw NTDL Division 1 side and Cup specialists Sallypark defeat TSDL Premier Division side Bansha Celtic 4-3 in Latteragh on Sunday.

Kevin Power scored from close range to give Bansha Celtic an early first half lead before Sallypark pulled one back courtesy of a Jack Sanders tap in. In the 20th minute, veteran midfielder Padraig Ryan made it 2-1 to the hosts with an exquisite flick following a free kick floated in by Kieran Ryan.

The Tipp Cup and Nora Kennedy Cup holders thought they had doubled their lead just five minutes later, but Jack Sanders’ effort agonizingly hit the post. Bansha Celtic immediately countered and they managed to draw level with a wonderful Daire Egan strike from 25 yards which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Celtic took the lead again in the 35th minute after a lovely cross-field ball was met beautifully at the back post by Niall Daly, there was nothing Damien Corcoran could do in the Sallypark goal, meaning the home side went in 3-2 down at the break.

The Sallypark comeback did not take long as five minutes into the second half Damien Corcoran sent a long ball forward which put Tom McCutcheon through one-on-one with the keeper, and the young winger touched the ball around the Bansha shot stopper only to be unceremoniously brought down in the box. A penalty was awarded, the keeper sent off and McCutcheon received treatment for several minutes before valiantly deciding to carry on. Jack Sanders converted from the spot to bring the sides level for a third time.

The second half was very much end-to-end, and it felt as though neither team would get the all-important winner. However, in the 82nd minute, a perfectly-placed cross by Ruaidhri O’Brien from near the corner flag found Tom McCutcheon at the back post and the youngster made no mistake with a delightful first-time finish to give Sally’ the win.

It would be unfair to choose between Padraig Ryan and Tom McCutcheon for man of the match as both men put on a fine footballing display in what was a fantastic team performance from this Sallypark side, who are a force to be reckoned with when playing in cup competition, and particularly when drawn at home.

Moneygall 3-2 Cloughjordan

Moneygall got revenge over Cloughjordan under the lights on Friday courtesy of a 3-2 win, after extra time. Dean O’Meara scored in either half to put Clough two up heading into the final furlong, but the subs that came on for Eoin Killackey’s side were not up to the task and Moneygall gained a foothold before pulling one back through Conor Longe. Then a corner late in the game saw Dwayne Collison come up from the goals and resulted in a goalmouth scramble which Tony O’Connor poked home the equaliser. In the second half of extra time, Conor Longe sliced through the middle of Clough defence before picking out a superb top corner finish which left Ger Corcoran with no chance.

Clodiagh Rangers 0-0 Borrisokane

On Saturday, it was an all NTDL affair as Clodiagh Rangers and Borrisokane played out a goalless ninety minutes and extra time in Drombane before the home side progressed on penalties.

Clodiagh are recovering from their own injury crisis and Borrisokane were heavily depleted, but the game did not lack for chances despite the scoreless outcome after extra time.

The hosts were wasteful in front of goal and when TJ Butler did hit the target with a well-struck free late in second half, he found the Borris’ shot stopper equal to the fine strike. The visitors defended well throughout and were penned in for much of the second half, however, Emmanuel Masina was a constant thorn in the Clodiagh rear-guard chasing every ball.

Adrian Cooke saved two penalties for the hosts, who converted through TJ Butler, Patrick Lowry and Sean Purcell before Rhys Loughnane fired home the winning penalty.

Ballymackey 1-3 Rearcross

Rearcross travelled to Ballinree on Sunday and beat Ballymackey 3-1.

The visitors were one-up up at the break courtesy of a rare Kieran Devitt goal; the central midfielder burst in front of his man to guide a James Deegan cross into the back of the net late in the half.

Ballymackey started the second half brightly and they got their reward when Conor Sheahan netted following a mix-up in the Rearcross rear-guard. The goal kicked the visitors into life, and they re-took the lead off the back of a corner; James Deegan swung it in and Darragh Kennedy rose highest at the back post to head home. Michael O’Gorman battled well for the visitors, and he got his reward midway through the second half; the prolific striker broke free from his marker before making his way to the end-line and squeezing in an effort at the front post to put Rearcross two goals to the good. Paul Nolan was the best for the winning team, but honorable mentions to Kieran Devitt and Philly Deegan.

Killavilla United 2-1 Borroway Rovers

Borroway Rovers travelled to Villa Park on Sunday and were unlucky to come out the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline to Killavilla United.

The champions were without the injured trio of Joe Moloney, Tom Aherne, and Mickey Ryan, which meant that former Moneygall man Niall O’Lone came into the midfield alongside Brian Moloney, whilst Gavin Clarke moved out to left wing back.

The Premier Division leaders were in control of the game, but their usual high intensity pressure was just not there. However, the hosts were still dangerous up top with Paul Kirwan and Ruairi Murphy posing a constant threat. Kirwan would have scored from two yards out in the eleventh minute were it not for an excellent defensive header by Cormac Lanigan. However, Villa could not be denied for long though; just a minute later Murphy volleyed in a delightful first time shot from just outside the box on the right, which nestled neatly inside the front post.

Borroway were level eight minutes later when Damien Troy was gifted the easiest goal of his life following a defensive calamity between the new ‘Villa keeper and Ian Tracey, which involved the usually flawless centre back passing the ball past the onrushing keeper who was well outside his box.

Eddie Simmons put one on a plate for Murphy in the 21st minute but the timing of his volley was slightly off at the back post. Mark Dwyer was once again extremely impressive when travelling with the ball at his feet. In the 22nd minute he hit the base of the post with a low driven shot from 25-yards. Gavin Clark could and should have scored on two occasions in the first half, but the sides went in level.

Villa came out for the second half fired up and dominated the opening fifteen minutes, the pressure culminated in Ruairi Murphy winning a penalty off Cormac Lanigan. Murphy picked himself up and converted at the second time of asking.

Jack Derby had a fine game in central midfield for the Division 1 leaders, but they could not make the breakthrough and thus bowed out of the FAI Junior cup.

BT Harps 1-2 Cahir Park

BT Harps lost 2-1 at home to Cahir Park on Sunday. It was 1-1 at the break, the goal for the North Tipp side coming through Cian O’Dwyer.

Lough Derg 0-3 Rosegreen Rangers

Lough Derg had a disappointing 3-0 home loss to Rosegreen Rangers, who ply their trade in the TSDL Second Division. The Shannon based side were two goals down at the break and the visitors added another unanswered goal in the second half.

Birdhill suffered a heavy defeat to TSDL Premier Division side Wilderness Rovers.

Munster Junior Cup

The rescheduled first game between Holycross and Thurles Town in Glenbane on Saturday ended in a 2–0 win for Thurles.

The visitors scored the only goals in the first half through Patrick Wizzy and a Tommy Brophy penalty. More good news coming out of Thurles Town FC is that they will likely be back playing their home games at the Greyhound Stadium for the remainder of the season.