Classy Hibs cruise into last 32 of FAI Junior Cup

Hibernians 5Ballingarry Albion 1

Mike Rafferty

The final outcome might have flattered the home side a little but there was no doubting the gulf in class as a Conor Cleary hat trick eased the Bohermore side in to the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup.

After a lacklustre opening half in which they went in just a goal to the good at the break, Hibs displayed much more urgency on the restart and should have had more than one score as a reward, before the Tipperary visitors revitalised the contest with a cracking strike to leave matters in the balance at 2-1.

While the visitors threatened for a spell they just didn’t have either the firepower or the legs to last the pace and when Cleary completed his hat-trick on 86 minutes it certainly ended the game as a contest. Two further strikes gave the scoreline a more convincing look as Mark Murphy and Daniel McDonagh found the net in the closing minutes.

On a heavy pitch the home side were quickly into their stride, but got very little latitude from a committed visitor’s rearguard. David McDonagh snatched at a close range effort and volleyed over early on, before they should have taken the lead on 23 minutes.

Livewire Tommy Donovan broke from midfield and after linking with Cleary he fired the return pass just outside a post. It was one of the few occasions that they really threatened in the opening half and indeed they had a number of let offs at the other end.

Pacey Ballingarry striker Martin Phelan was a constant threat throughout and after an early shot was saved by John Cotter, he was again denied by the custodian in a one on one situation just before the break. The striker and Marty Ivers were also off target with efforts from outside the box, before Hibernians made the crucial breakthrough on 45 minutes. 

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.