Nenagh tamely exit FAI Junior Cup

Limerick District League Review

By Pat Sheehan

FAI Junior Cup

Nenagh AFC 1-4 Geraldines

Nenagh’s FAI Junior Cup hopes ended at the first hurdle on Sunday when they fell 4-1 to a strong Geraldines in Brickfields.

The only all-Premier division tie was the pick of the round but Nenagh found the opposition a little too hot to handle, in particular striker Tony Mambuana who scored three times for the winners.

Nenagh started brightly and an early chance for Adam Brennan forced a good save from Dines keeper Jose Zaquieu

Geraldines took the lead on the half hour mark Aaron Grant suppled the ball for Mambuana to round the keeper and score.

Nenagh went close to levelled minutes later when a Daniel Connolly snapshot was inches over.

It was short lived relief for ‘Dines as the home side were back on terms on forty minutes.

A superb save by Oisin Conacur denied Mambouana and a quick kick out by the keeper ended with Pa Steed freeing Adam Brennan to race through to score.

With the wind at their back in the send half, Dines regained the lead on 56 minutes through Mambuana and the striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

‘Dines wrapped up a good day on 76 minutes when Gareth Ronan scored again from a Jake Leamy delivery.

Nenagh AFC: Oisin Conacur; Colm Hayden; Saeed Ryan; Kieran Barr; Bryan McGee; Pa Steed; Daniel Connolly; Dylan Morrison; Dan O'Meara; Adam Ryan; Adam Brennan. Subs: B Tracey; Eoin Coffey; Aaron Cusack.

Geraldines: Jose Zaquieu; Jonathan Moran; Scott McEvoy; Aaron Grant; Eoin Hanrahan; Jack O'Doherty; Tony Mambuana; Cian Fitzgerald; Jake Leamy; Alan Keane; Gareth Ronan. Subs: Ousman Darboe; Jack Cross.

Lower Leagues

In Division 1B, Nenagh AFC ‘B’ visited second placed Pike Rovers and went down 6-2. Logan O’Byrne scored four for the winners while Alan Kelly and Dan Furey replied for Nenagh.

In Division 2A, Lough Derg had more luck on their trip to Castle United as goals from Daniel Fogarty Matt Ryan and Alex Quinn secured a 3-1 win.