OLBC, Celtic, Athenry and Rangers advance in FAI Cup

Mike Rafferty

Not for the first time, Our Lady’s Boys Club displayed their competitive instincts when raising their game to see off a higher ranked side as they dismissed Hibernians from the FAI Junior Cup at the Jesuit’s on Sunday morning.

Out in Cappagh Park, Knocknacarra made Athenry work hard for their 2-1 win as the visitor’s required a late winner from Benny Lawless in order to advance; and close calls certainly seemed to be the order of the day as Corrib Rangers just got the better of West Coast United by the odd goal in five.

Meanwhile Mike O’Malley got an extra time winner for Corrib Celtic as they defeated Salthill Devon, while Renmore had just had a Dermot Dooney goal to show for their efforts as two late strikes by Oranmore gave them a rather flattering margin of victory in a 4-1 win.

Salthill Devon 2Corrib Celtic 3

(After extra time)

Salthill Devon fielded four goalkeepers in this FAI Junior Cup tie and still couldn’t see off an impressive Corrib Celtic side in Drom on Saturday afternoon.

No, it had nothing to do with regular custodian Martin Mannion not doing his job well, it was a scenario where the home side posted three goalkeepers in outfield positions as Ronan Burke, James Keane and Colm Smith all helped the cause of a pretty threadbare squad.

It was the visitors who made the brightest start as Shane Concannon finally forced home a Pierce Duffy delivery on just four minutes, but they failed to build on this advantage and pretty much out of the blue Devon levelled matters on 33 minutes.

A Tommy Bradshaw free-kick got a touch off Enda Cullen and goalkeeper-turned-striker Keane applied the side-footed finish to tie up matters at 1-1.

A series of smart saves by Mannion maintained the status quo until the home side took a surprise lead on 53 minutes. Mannion provided the assist with a big launch from his area and Conor Murray did well to finish low past Liam O’Flynn at the other end for a 2-1 advantage.

A terrific run by Chris Greaney set up David Coen for the simplest of rewards to level matters at 2-2 on 64 minutes.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.