Ballynanty Rovers 'B' players and supporters celebrate their Open Cup final win at Jackman Park on Good Friday | PICTURE: Brendan Gleeson
Open Cup Final:
Ballynanty Rvs 'B' 4 Fairview Rgs 'C' 0
BALLYNANTY Rvs were crowned Open Cup Champions on Good Friday evening when they had an easier than expected win over Fairview Rgs C at Jackman Park.
Balla, who lead the way in Division 2A, are two divisions ahead of Fairview and the gap showed on Friday.
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Two early goals from set pieces set Balla in the driving seat and try as they might Fairview could not find a way through a rock-solid defence.
As the game entered the last quarter Balla emptied a very strong bench which gave them the impetus to seal it with another couple of goals.
The winners had keeper Eoghan Sherlock to thanks for a superb save in the opening minutes. From a long kick out Kyle Brogan exchanged passes with the hard-working Ethan O’Sullivan before unleashing a rasping shot from 40 yards. Sherlock got fingertips to touch the ball onto the crossbar before gathering the rebound.
A determined run by Jamie O’Sullivan saw him denied at the front post by View keeper Anthony McCarthy and from the resultant corner kick, Eddie Radcliffe headed home from Deerk Dal’s delivery.
Minutes later Daly was again provider when his free kick into the box saw Ryan Earls send a looping header over the keeper into the net.
With the two-goal lead on board, Balla dug in and stymied Fairview whenever they got close to the danger zone.
Radcliffe and Kevin Nolan went close to adding to the lead after the break but McCarthy saved well.
There was little the keeper could do to stop the third goal. Lee Boyle’s long throw saw Nolan hold off two defenders before a swivel and shot left the keeper wrong footed.
Balla' saved the best for last when the industrious Wesley Mulqueen won possession in midfield. He played it wide to Nolan and continued his run into the area to meet a wonderful return ball to head home from six yards.
Ballynanty Rvs B: Eoghan Sherlock, Ryan Earls, Lee Boyle, Lee Ryan, Ger Meehan, Calum Waters, Eddie Radcliffe, Dara McNamara, Jamie O'Sullivan, Jack O'Callaghan, Derek Daly. Subs: Kevin Nolan, Wesley Mulqueen, Dean Cronin, Grant Murphy, Shane Fitzgerald.
Fairview Rgs C: Anthony McCarthy; Keith Blake; Brian Collopy; Dean Kirwin; Stephen Gallagher; Jason Roche; Ethan O'Sullivan; Darren Roche; Anthony McNamara; Kyle Brogan; Niall McNamara. Subs: Cian Donnelly; Craig Madigan; Evan Madigan; J Gallagher.
Midweek Action:
Newport 3 Aisling Annacotty 3
Showed they are not giving in just yet in their bid to avoid the drop when they bounced back to earn a 3-3 draw with Aisling on Thursday.
Willie Armshaw put the visitors ahead but Brian O'Sullivan restored parity by the break.
Two goals from Ciaran Jennings had Aisling 3-1 ahead. Conor Brett pulled one back late in the game and 30 seconds later, O'Sullivan struck his second to secure a vital point.
Newport: Seamus O'Regan; Daniel Ryan; Eoin Looney; Drew McLean; Elliot Slattery; Aaron Coleman; Conor Brett; Cillian O'Shea; Jamie Kavanagh; Brian O'Sullivan; Ciaran Carey. Subs: Killian O'Malley; David Ryan; Pa Murtagh; Luke Ryan; James Collopy.
Aisling Annacotty: Charlie Lane; Conor Carew; Josh Coady; Eliah Riordan; Adam O'Regan; Raid Mouras; Conor Coughlan; Adam Foley; Willie Armshaw; Cathal Downes; Paul Brennan. Subs: Darren Coughlan; Ciaran Jennings; Alex Sidorov; Alex Cuddy
Mungret Reg 1Geraldines 0
While Newport were picking up a point in the survival battle, Geraldines fell cruelly to a late goal at Mungret Regional. Aaron Long was the winning scorer.
After the result, Geraldines retain a four point lead over Newport but the Tipperary side have a game less played.
Mungret Reg: James Roche; Conor Myers; Sean O'Sullivan; Aaron Long; Jake Prendergast; Danny McCarthy; Kian Barry; Hamza Selman Celik; Mark Patterson; Kieran Long; Cian McNicholas. Subs: Cormac Noonan; Ian Moore; Darragh Killian; Aled Harkin; Gary Kelly
Geraldines: Jose Zaquieu; Jonathan Moran; Dave Power; Scott McEvoy; Jason Mullins; David Healy Lawlor; Cian Fitzgerald; Tony Mambuana; Alan Keane; Conor Keane; Shane Dillon, Subs; Dean McNamara; Brooklyn Tracey; Joe Keane; Mike Conlon
Janesboro 1 Regional Utd 2
Regional took the spoils in a close game at Pearse Stadium.
Jack O'Donovan capitalised on mistake to put the visitors ahead. Conor Arthur equalised for ‘Boro but Regional sealed the win when Chris Nwanko netted.
Janesboro: Aaron O'Sullivan; Shane O'Brien; Tony Burns; Brendan O'Dwyer; Conor Artur; Josh Toomey; Colin Doody; Aaron Murphy; Shane Clarke; Graham Bourke; Kai Joyce. Subs: Shane O'Sullivan; Cian Arthur; Calum O'Connell; Aodh O'Hanluain.
Regional Utd: Vinny Browne; Sean Oyibo; Gideon Oyibo; Tom Frawley; Jack O'Donovan; Declan Cusack; Adam Keating; Adam Fitzpatrick; Isak Lynch; Kieran O'Connell; Muhsin Jelle. Subs: Chris Nwanko; Ashley Kelleher; Oran Flanagan; Marcus Hogan; Joe Lavin.
In the Premier A League, Corbally Utd secured a welcome return to the top flight following a dramatic win over their main rivals Caherdavin on Tuesday.
Sean Kiely scored early for Corbally but the home side levelled matter with 15 minutes remaining.
While a draw may have just delayed their ascension, Corbally were taking no chance and with just a minute remaining, Robert Clancy set up Gavin Healy to score a priceless winner.
In Division 1A, Moyross Utd’s 3-1 win over Pallas Utd means they need one point from to secure promotion and three points to be crowned champions. Jay Ryan, Ben O Mahony and Craig Collopy-Duggan scored in Thursday night’s win.
Star Rvs and Murroe played out an exciting 3-3 draw at Lee Estate. Miguel, AJ McCormack and Cáel Gaffney obliged for the home side while Shane Power (2) and Antony McInerney replied for Murroe.
Holycross beat Parkville 5-1 thanks to scores from Paddy Mooney, Gearoid McCarthy, Finn Clancy, Cian O’Connell and Gearoid O’Leary.
Aisling D beat Caherconlish 4-0 thanks to scores from Tommy Canty (2), Manni Ajuong and Jamie Collins.
Division 1B leaders Herbertstown proved too strong for Glenview running in seven goals through Mikey Ryan (3), Bradley McNamara, Jake Leamy, Kevin Meade and Kieran O’Kelly.
Shelbourne A kept pace with a hard earned 1-0 win at Meanus. Colm Cassidy scored the only goal of the game.
In Division 2A, Coonagh Utd and Abbey Rvs ended 4-4, James Hodkinson (2), Gerard Hodkinson and Ian Barrett scored for Coonagh.
Moyross B took over top spot in Division 2B, following a 4-0 win over Dromore Celtic. Anthony Quinn, Thomas Power, Kane Troy and Barry Quinn obliged for the winners.
Prospect B joined Fairview C at the top of Div 3A following a big win over Patrickswell. Daniel Colbert scored five times with Reece Kelly, Jake Kiely and Shay Quigley also getting in on the act.
An own goal and a Mark McGrath double gave Athlunkard Villa a 3-1 win at Caherdavin for whom Morgan Conroy replied. scored.
Pike Rvs had an important victory in the Youth Premier League when they beat challengers Holycross 3-1.
Two goals from in-form Shane Finucane and one from Ryan Maloney did the job for Pike, Alex Burchill replied for ‘Cross.
Dan Carroll scored twice for Lough Derg in a 2-1 win over Regional Utd.
Youth Division One leaders Shelbourne kept their charge on track Jed Robinson, George Barry, Alex Robinson and Adam McGlynn scored the winning goals.
Craig Dillon was on target for Carew Park but they fell 2-1 to Pike with scores from Ben Ross and Colin Strachan.
The Under 17 Premier Cup produced some thrilling games on Thursday.
Fairview Rgs edged out Regional Utd by the odd goal in five. Eamon Doyle (2) and Tiernan Kelly scored for the winners.
Aisling beat Pike on a penalty shoot out after a 3-3 draw. Ben Kiely, Oscar Fitzgerald and Jack Cregan netted for the winners. Finn Morrison, Cathal McNamara and Dylan Kett replied for Pike.
Holycross also progressed after a penalty shoot-out when they finished 3-3 with Corbally.
Sean Kiely, Fionn Reid and Liam O'Sullivan scored for Corbally and in a league tie Shels with scores from Paul Gleeson and Sam McGlynn, beat Regional 2-0.
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