Aisling edge past Ballynanty in dramatic fashion in FAI Junior Cup

FAI JUNIOR CUP:

Ballynanty Rvs 1 Aisling Annacotty 2

Once again, the FAI Junior Cup threw up a thrilling encounter on Friday evening when Ballynanty Rvs hosted Aisling Annacotty at TUS.

Two minutes into injury time, Balla' looked like they had caused a major shock as they led Aisling 1-0. However, two minutes later, Balla were out and Aisling marched forward to the open stages of the national tournament.

Disappointment does not do justice to the home emotions after the game. They were rightly gutted after outmaneuvering their opponents for most of the contest.

That said, Aisling are also due credit as they never gave up the fight when it looked like it was game over.

The large crowd that turned out hardly expected the drama at the end as the remainder of the game failed to take off.

Aisling threatened early on but Balla defended stoutly and in the middle of the park Eddie Byrnes was excellent throughout.

Aisling will be concerned that they were so close to and exit. They were poor on the night and will be first to admit they lucked out on this one.

Balla took the lead on the hour mark with a cracking goal. Shane Dillon picked out Jamie Greaves who cut inside his marker and let fly from 25 yards to the top corner.

Tony Mambuana went within inches of doubling the lead minutes later but his shot trickled wide of the post.

As the game wore on Aisling went all out for the equaliser and Conor Coughlan was denied by a fine save from Eugene Hurley in the Balla goal.

Two minutes into injury time Joey Rushe played a hopeful ball over the top and the ever-willing Joel Coustrain took off and was upended in the area. From the resultant spot kick, Coughlan netted to level the tie.

With spectators preparing for extra time, a harmless back pass to keeper Hurley saw Coughlan race in to block the clearance and got his reward when the ball struck him and rebounded into the empty net to secure a superb comeback.

Ballynanty Rovers: Eugene Hurley; Liam Byrnes; Adrian Power; Fionn McInerney; Thomas O'Connor; Cian Fitzgerald; Jack O'Callaghan; Eddie Byrnes; Shane Dillon; Tony Mambuana; Jamie Greaves. Subs; Dara McNamara; Calum Kiely; James Fitzgerald.

Aisling Annacotty: Stephen McNamara; Adam O'Regan; Joey Rushe; Conor Carew; Ciaran Jennings; Paul Brennan; Tom Kidd; Theo Joyce; Joel Coustrain; Leon Daly; Conor Coughlan. Subs: Willie Armshaw; Sean Ezekannagha.

INTER-COUNTY YOUTH:

Limerick DL 2 Clare DL 1

Limerick District League kicked off their 2024/24 campaign with a 2-1 win over the Clare League at Jackman Park on Friday evening.

With Clare and Kerry drawing their opening game, the result means Limerick progress to the next round. They will do so as group winners if they avoid defeat when they meet the Kingdom.

Limerick had to withstand some good Clare pressure in the opening half with Corbally Utd keeper Darragh Newman making a fine save to deny Adam Kilker.

On the half hour mark, Ethan Joyce and Scott Connolly combined to create an opening for Aaron Cusack but his chip over the keeper rolled narrowly wide.

Scoreless at the break, the deadlock was broken two minutes after the restart.

Pa Steed played Cameron Walsh away on the right and he played a ball across the Clare goal where Aaron Cusack arrived on cue to volley the ball home.

Limerick’s joy was short-lived however as the Clare lads were back on terms within four minutes.

Losing possession in the middle of the park, Limerick were punished when Jack Daly tucked away the equaliser.

Limerick responded well to the setback and got the crucial winner 15 minutes from time.

Sean Madden picked out Calum O’Hanlon who made his way to the bye-line and despite being outnumbered managed to create space to try a shot from an acute angle and was rewarded when the ball flew into the top corner for a worthy winner.

Limerick DL: Darragh Newman, Ethan Joyce, Rian Goggin, Eoin Cunningham, Sean Madden, Pa Steed, Jamie Mitchell, Scott Connolly, Aaron Cusack, Calum O'Hanlon, Cameron Walsh. Subs; Alex Koyce, John Hehir, Jamie Doherty, Jayden Hennessy, Alex Burchill, Allen Kiely, Marius Palen.

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