Colga come through semis hurdle
COLGA'S ability to grind out results continued on Sunday when a 1-0 victory over Mervue United saw them qualify for a first ever Connacht Junior Cup final and a meeting with big rivals Salthill Devon.
For the duration of this semi-final in Kilcornan, the exchanges were competitive and chances were certainly at a premium at both ends of the park. The match winner came on 31 minutes when Neil Greaney converted from the penalty spot after Padraig Pearl was upended in the box by Mervue goalkeeper Jay Daly.
On the resumption Greaney was denied a second when a long range effort struck a post. Mervue piled the pressure on in the closing stages and Kieran O'Connor went closest to a breakthrough only to be denied by a smart Mark Greaney save.
FAI Junior Cup
Following their postponement a week previously, two FAI Junior Cup second round ties took place on Sunday and with Corrib Celtic and Knocknacarra both winning, they will now also meet in the next round.
Against lower division opposition, the Annaghdown outfit were always in command away against Cregmore-Claregalway as they ran out comfortable 5-0 winners, with Dara McNamara notching a hat trick and Cian Forde slotting home a brace.
It was much more competitive in Cappagh Park where Knocknacarra and St Bernard's finished level at 2-2 following extra time, with the City side eventually winning by 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out.
It was Knocknacarra who took the lead on two occasions through Dorian Salmon and Darcy Ngodjo, with goals from Ryan Nolan and a last minute effort from Cuan Lennon cancelling them out on each occasion. In the shoot-out, home custodian Jack Carroll made one crucial save as just Glenn Kelly, Ciaran Nolan and Lennon scored their penalties for St Bernard's.
On Sunday next (2pm),East Galway United will welcome high flying Colga to Kiltormer, while Bearna Na Forbacha will host Moyne Villa in the third round of the cup.
League Action
Just one tie was scheduled for the Premier Division and where Maree-Oranmore and Renmore could not be separated in a 1-1 draw. Adam Lavelle and Leon Daly exchanged the goals.
In Division One, leaders Colemanstown United moved a step closer to becoming champions, when without kicking a ball. they were awarded a 3-0 victory over Oughterard in a game conceded by the Connemara side.
A win in their last game of the season over Galway Bohs would confirm them as champions from a Bearna Na Forbacha side who have pushed them all the way throughout the campaign.
Bearna Na Forbacha were 3-1 away winners over Mervue United B in Fahy's Field as a Niall Rooney goal gave them an interval advantage, before Ross Corcoran and Eoin McSweeney added two more on the resumption. Although they have a game in hand on the leaders, they trail Colemanstown by five points with remaining games to come against Galway Bohs and West United.
Meanwhile, Cois Fharraige were winning for the fifth game in succession and, in the process, ensured a third position finish in the table following a 5-0 win over Galway Bohs. Leon Mac Lochlainn (two), Mikey Ó Conaire, Liam Ó Loideain and an own goal eased them to a comfortable victory in Carraroe.
In Division Two, a meeting of the top two produced a scoreless stalemate as neither Tuam Celtic or Corrib Celtic B could find the net. The outcome means that Tuam Celtic need just one point from their remaining two games against West Coast United and Merlin Woods to be confirmed as champions.
With second placed Corrib Celtic B eight points clear of the chasing pack, just two points from any of their three remaining games will clinch their promotion. In the only other games played, Maree-Oranmore C and Moyne Villa B shared the spoils in a 4-4 draw, with Jason O'Reilly getting all four goals for the Headford side.
U-21 Premier Cup
Colga caused somewhat of an upset when Andrew Horan struck the match winner in a 1-0 win over Knocknacarra in the semi-final of the U-21 Premier Cup. The city side were crowned league champions a week previously and were eyeing a double.