Tough draws for Galway sides in FAI Junior Cup

The NUI Galway team which has gone top of Division 2. Back row, from left: Joe Kelly, Peter McAnena, Alan Hansbury, Darren Sinton, Ger Bane, Niall Walsh, Colm Tummon, Micheal Mayhew, and Ray Darcy. Front: Cathal Sweeney, Johnny Heaney, Patrick Casey, David Tierney, Killian Moore, Fergus Browne, and Fionn Murphy.

placeholder image — The NUI Galway team which has gone top of Division 2. Back row, from left: Joe Kelly, Peter McAnena, Alan Hansbury, Darren Sinton, Ger Bane, Niall Walsh, Colm Tummon, Micheal Mayhew, and Ray Darcy. Front: Cathal Sweeney, Johnny Heaney, Patrick Casey, David Tierney, Killian Moore, Fergus Browne, and Fionn Murphy.

Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

Probably for the first time ever the Galway League will have its strongest representation ever in the Fifth Round of the FAI Junior Cup. The last local round was played at the weekend with the outcome that the top three teams in the Premier League have advanced to the National open draw at the last 64 stage.

Mervue United, Salthill Devon and Athenry all won with different degrees of comfort, but in Wednesday’s draw, the two city sides were handed tough away draws, while Athenry have the benefit of a home tie.

Salthill Devon are guaranteed a trip to Dublin is guaranteed as they will meet the winners of the outstanding game between Sheriff FC and Kilmore Celtic. Sheriff are past winners of the competition, were last year’s beaten finalists, and are one of the strongest teams in the AUL.

It will be a trip home for Mervue United manager, Gareth Gorman, as his side are heading to Donegal to face Inishowen side Greencastle. Again, they are a good quality side and one Mervue will do well to overcome.

Athenry have been drawn at home against Cork side Coachford FC; while one other Galway side, Ballinasloe Town of the Roscommon & District Senior League, also remain in the competition, and have been handed an away tie against Villa.

In Western Hygiene Supplies Premier League action, West United closed the gap on the top three with a home win over Maree/Oranmore; while a late equaliser denied Hibernians a win as they had to settle for a draw with mid table Loughrea.

In Division 1, leaders Cois Fharraige maintained their long unbeaten league record with an away draw in Tuam; while second-placed Mervue United B took full advantage with a home success over Dynamo Blues.

FAI JUNIOR CUP

Salthill Devon 7

Corrib Rangers 0

A four-goal second-quarter blast helped ease the home side past a limited visitors at Drom on Friday night and thereafter the game was over as a contest as three second-half goals just added to the punishment of Rangers.

The home side were just operating at a different level throughout the game, as their pace and movement had Rangers stretched all over the park, but it took Devon until the 24th minute to take the lead when Darren Creaven fired them ahead.

Aaron Conway very quickly added a second with the aid of a deflection, before Shane Concannon set up Timmy Molloy to make it three. Two minutes from the break, a Molloy pass allowed Creaven beat the off-side trap to lob the advancing Derek Griffin to leave it 4-0 at the interval.

Rangers were struggling to get any sort of forward momentum and in their only opportunities of note, two free-kicks from outside the box by Mark Wynne were comfortably gathered by Arek Mamala.

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

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