Galway League host holders in last eight of Oscar Traynor
The Galway League’s relationship with the Oscar Traynor Cup has not exactly excited anyone in recent times, but after some poor previous campaigns, there is a sense of optimism that better days might lie ahead.
On Sunday that will be put to the test when Galway host Waterford at 2pm in Eamonn Deacy Park in the quarter-finals of this season’s competition.
The challenge they face is a difficult one, in that the Munster outfit are not only the holders, but are backboned by players from Villa FC, who are favourites for the FAI Junior Cup. They registered a 4-2 victory over Mayo in last year’s decider in Castlebar, but time will tell if their challenge carries the same weight as previously.
Galway advanced from their qualifying group unscathed with wins over Roscommon and Sligo and a draw away against Mayo allowing them to top the group and qualify for a home quarter-final.
Manager Brendan OConnor has a strong squad at his disposal, backboned by players from Salthill Devon and Mervue United, with a chosen few from other sides as well.
Meanwhile, two FAI Junior Cup last 16 games took place last weekend and there were mixed fortunes for the two Galway sides involved. Salthill Devon are one of the fancied sides for the competition, but they had to come from behind to secure an extra-time win over Evergreen in Kilkenny; but Mervue United had no joy in Limerick when going down to defeat against Fairview Rangers.
FAI JUNIOR CUP
Evergreen 3
Salthill Devon 2
(After extra time)
The home side who broke the deadlock when Mikie Drennan converted a penalty, but Devon hit back with two goals before the break to lead 2-1 at half-time.
Leading scorer Colin Kelly levelled matters when he finished a Mikey Fox cross and when Mick Lee headed down a Kelly cross moments later, Timmy Molloy applied a diving header to put the visitors 2-1 up at the break.
Evergreen levelled matters just after the restart, and it took extra time to decide matters when a Marc Ludden free kick on 106 minutes sealed a hard-earned Devon win.
Evergreen: Rowe, Hickey, Costello, Cleere, Johnston, Cornally (Kearney 105), McQuillan (Grincell 76), Nzewil (Dunleavy 88), Wall (Clifford 63), Drennan, Phelan.
Salthill Devon: Mamala, D Collins, Lee, O’Rourke, Crowe, Ludden, Scally (J Collins 59), Molloy, Fox (McDonnell 90), Barrett (Barry 70), Kelly (Arra 90).
Referee: Chris Maher.
Pictured: Darren Grealish heads the ball away from the West United goalmouth in the Championship clash with MacDara at South Park last weekend, which finished in a 2-0 win for West. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.