Limerick's Pike Rovers dreaming of glamour home tie after impressive win in FAI Cup

IMPRESSIVE Pike Rovers were comprehensive 3-1 winners at home to Midleton FC to book their place in the last 16 stage of the Sports Direct FAI Cup at Pike Rovers Sportsgound on Saturday afternoon. 

The Hoops were full value for their win against the Munster Senior League side and the Limerick District League side face the prospect of a potential big draw in the Third Round as they are one of just three non-league clubs left in the Cup.

Rovers showed their intent from the off with Conor Coughlan smashing a close-range effort off of the crossbar after just the second minute following a low cross from Dylan Murphy.

Visitors Midleton followed up with chances through a Robert O’Connor header and an Eoin Healy shot from distance, but neither troubled Ryan Manning in the Pike goal.

Pike had a host of chances through Shane Walsh, Colin Daly, and Conor Coughlan before they really should have taken the lead in the 31st minute. Walsh, Shane Clark, and Dylan Murphy all linked up inside the box before Clarke’s close-range effort was well saved by Midleton goalkeeper Shane Hallahan.

Six minutes later, Pike had their first goal as Murphy got on the end of a Clarke flick on to drive his shot to the back of the net.

The goalscorer was then forced to limp off immediately, however, after having picked up a groin injury in the process.

The Hoops nearly doubled their lead in the 43rd minute when Murphy’s replacement Dylan Kelly Higgins broke the Midleton line before forcing a diving save from Hallahan to send the Limerick side in at the interval 1-0 up.

Pike picked up where they left off in the second half with Conor Coughlan and Clarke both going close. Shane Walsh’s thunderbolt from the edge of the box moments later kissed the Midleton crossbar on its way over before Kyle Duhig skied his chance.

Adam Lipper was then next to have a go but he couldn’t direct his header goalward.

Then seemingly out of nowhere, Midleton levelled the Cup tie in the 69th minute. Rhys Kelly Noonan capitalised on a defensive error as he punished Pike’s loose play at the back.

Crucially, Rovers responded immediately and spectacularly as Coughlan and Clarke combined before Walsh rifled his shot to the top corner less than sixty seconds after Midleton’s equaliser.

Midleton responded with a Jake Hegarty effort before the game was put to bed in the 78th minute. Walsh turned provider with an in-swinging corner which Clarke got on the end of to head the ball home and secure a 3-1 victory as well as a safe passage to the next round.

Robbie Williams's men, who are only in their second week of pre-season, will now have to await the midweek draw to discover their opponents in the next round of the Cup.

Pike Rovers: Ryan Manning, Scott Kirwin (Jake Prendergast 88), Sean Madigan, Adam Lipper, Ed O’Donovan, Kyle Duhig, Shane Walsh (Aaron Cusack 78), Colin Daly, Shane Clarke (Kieran Hanlon 78), Dylan Murphy (Dylan Kelly Higgins 39), Conor Coughlan (Jamie Mitchell 86).

Midleton FC: Shane Hallahan (Diarmuid Byrne 80), Dylan O’Halloran, Robert Walsh, John Keane, Robert O’Connor, Eoin Healy, David Bomor (Kalem Keane 60), Brian Coleman (Conor Lambe 70), Jake Hegarty, Rhys Kelly-Noonan, Evan Bolster.

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd