Knocknacarra FC set to host Gorey Rangers in Last 32 of FAI Junior Cup
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City side looking to join Colga FC in next round of national competition
While their season didn't exactly peak with a third place finish in the Championship, Knocknacarra certainly appear to have produced their best form in cup action, which they will hope to continue this Saturday when they welcome Gorey Rangers to Cappagh Park (1pm) in the Last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup.
The city club have progressed through four rounds of the competition, with local wins over Colemanstown United (4-0); St Bernard's by 5-3 on penalties, after their contest finished level at 2-2; and Corrib Celtic by 2-0. Their big scalp was a penalty shoot-out success over Newmarket Celtic by 4-3 in the last round, after their meeting finished at 1-1 following extra time.
Gorey Rangers have previous history in the competition in Galway, for they were beaten in the final in 2024 in Eamonn Deacy Park by Cockhill Celtic. They have obviously retained their form as last weekend they were crowned Wexford Premier Division champions following a scoreless draw with big rivals, North End United.
Knocknacarra have also collected silverware this season when winning the Joe Ryan Cup final with a 2-1 success over Hibernians; while their U-21 side were crowned Premier Division champions, winning all 14 of their games in the process.
If they were to overcome Gorey Rangers tomorrow, they will be rewarded with another home tie against Bonagee United from Donegal on Sunday, June 14.
One Galway side has already qualified for the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup, as Premier Division champions Colga eased past Malahide United on a 8-1 scoreline in Dublin on Saturday.
From the moment Jorge Lopes put them ahead after just two minutes, the visitors were on the front foot, as they moved from a five goal interval advantage to a very comfortable seven goal success.
It was a second road trip in succession for Peter Greaney's charges following an away 3-0 success over Coolraine in Offaly in the previous round, and the outcome to this was achieved with an even-greater degree of comfort.
Neil Greaney (2), Tom Daly and Ben Lalor completed their opening-half goal tally; with Daly adding a second on the resumption, as Jackson De Silva and Andy Horan also found the net.
They have also landed a home tie in the next round, but their opponents will take some time to figure out as Evergreen have to play Stella Maris first, with the winners of that meeting Kildrum Tigers.