Another home tie for Athenry in Junior Cup as luck holds

Mike Rafferty

IF the luck of the draw has any bearing on who contests the FAI Junior Cup Final in the Aviva Stadium next May, then Athenry have every possibility of going all the way.

Though Gabriel Glavin’s charges have an outstanding sixth round tie to play on January 27 against last season’s runners up Kilbarrack United, their run of good fortune in being first name out of the hat continued at the weekend when they were drawn at home for the sixth round in succession.

So, if they achieve victory against the Dublin side, they would play either St Brendan’s Park/College Corinthians or Cherry Orchard in the last sixteen. On Sunday last, Kilbarrack United secured a late winner when defeating Ballina Town by 2-1 at the Mayo venue.

Athenry are now the Galway League’s lone representatives left in the competition as Corrib Rangers were defeated 2-0 by the holders Sheriff YC at Westside.

An Alan McCabe strike put the visitors ahead on 11 minutes and they sealed the deal with the second in injury time when Keith Dunne raced through to slot past Daragh Geraghty.

The Dublin side were the dominant force in the opening half, but Rangers really put it up to them on the resumption. Twice they went close to an equaliser, when firstly David Smith failed to get a touch to a Barry Moran delivery and from the resulting clearance, Ger Bane cracked in a stunning volley that hit a post.

A late Moran free kick was comfortably gathered by Sheriff goalkeeper Murphy, as the home side industry did not get enough reward in the last third of the park.However, Roscommon League side, Ballinas

loe Town had a comfortable passage into the last 32 when they defeated Dublin side Kilnamanagh by 4-0 at the Curragh Grounds. One up at the break, goals by Alan Duffy (two), Mark Duffy and Davy Cullen set up a contest against Castlebar Celtic in the next round.

MICHAEL BYRNE CUPTHE weekend action was dominated by the Michael Byrne Cuyp with the majority of results going along expected lines. However, the defeat of Corrib Celtic by lower division Renmore and the setback suffered by St Bernard’s away to Mervue United B, could certainly be considered as shocks.

Renmore prevailed by 4-3 on penalties with custodian Niall Walsh proving to be the hero with two saves in the shootout. Chris Flatley and Kevin Moylan exchanged the goals in normal time, with Moylan, Mike O’Malley and Eoghan Kavanagh scoring their penalties for the visitors.

Matters very much looked to be going the way of St Bernard’s when goals by Kevin Ruane and JP Keary had them two up and apparently in control, before Mervue United B substitute Mark Conneely kick started a recovery when scoring twice to sent the game to extra time. Here, Alan Tormey slotted home a spot kick to give the home side a 3-2 victory.

Dynamo Blues came out on top in the Tuam derby with a 3-1 victory over Celtic. After Vinny Carton and Pierce Sweeney were fouled in the box, a brace of Colm Quinn penalties had them two up before Ger Cuniffe pulled one back from another penalty. A late Franny Fallon far post finish sealed the win for the visitors.

The holders Athenry had to work very hard for their 3-0 away win over Oughterard. After an Alan O’Donovan free kick gave them an interval advantage, they were further helped when the home side were reduced to ten men.

The crossbar denied Benny Lawless, before late goals settled the issue in their favour. Cathal Fahy set up Gary Forde for the second, while O’Donovan was the provider as Brian Murphy sealed the win with the third.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.