Limerick District League weekend junior soccer round-up

FAI JUNIOR CUP:

Lucan United 0 Pike Rovers 1

PIKE Rovers qualified for the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup with a hard earned 1-0 win over Lucan United on Saturday afternoon.

Played in horrendous weather conditions, the opening fifteen minutes saw both sides struggling with the elements.
Pike gifted the home side two early chances, but the efforts by Hanley and Myers well dealt with comfortably by Pike keeper Gary Neville.

Pike were dealt a huge blow on 20 minutes when talisman Pat Mullins was shown red for what the referee saw as a goal denying foul when he collided with Hanly.

Pike were forced to reshuffle the defence, dropping Kyle Duhig back in centre half.

The home side who ply their trade in the Leinster Senior League, already had a LDL scalp under their belts having accounted for Charleville in an earlier round and with the extra man they were hoping to add another.

However, the Hoops responded well and on the half hour mark, Colin Daly won the ball in the middle of his own half and played a first-time ball over the top to Colm Walsh O’Loughlin who broke clear.

Lucan keeper Mark Smith raced from his line but handled the ball outside the box in his attempt to stop the Pike wide man which resulted in the second red card of the afternoon.

Another important interception by Neville to deny Hanly ensured Pike went in at the break level.
The second half saw Pike push Steven Bradley into the middle of the park which saw the Hoops get a foothold.

Shane Clarke’s hold up play allowed Conor Coughlan and Walsh O’Loughlin to become more prominent.

The latter was causing the home side all sorts of problems down the left providing some fine crosses that just lacked a finishing touch.

The breakthrough arrived twenty minutes from time when Bradley released Danny O’Neill out wide and his delivery picked out Clarke who scored a superb trademark header to the top corner.

Rather than a Lucan response, the goal saw Pike take control with Daly and Coughlan causing havoc but some fine defending kept the deficit to one.

The home side had one last attack down the left-hand side but the delivery into the box saw Neville and Nathan O’Callaghan mop up the danger.

A superb win for the Limerick side with Sean Madigan, Colin Daly, Colm Walsh O’Loughlin and Shane Clarke prominent throughout.

Pike Rvs: Gary Neville, Danny O'Neill, Sean Madigan, Pat Mullins, Steven Bradley, Shane Walsh, Colin Daly, Shane Clarke, Conor Coughlan, Colm Walsh O'Loughlin, Kyle Duhig. Subs: Nathan O'Callaghan, Eoin Hanrahan.

Regional United 3 Grattan United 2 (aet)

REGIONAL Utd performed a 'Houdini-like' recovery in the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday afternoon when they beat Grattan United 3-2 to join Pike in the last 16 of the tournaments.

Following a disappointing loss in the MFA Cup, hopes were high that Regional would have regrouped sufficiently but in miserable conditions, the Cork outfit took a 2-0 half time lead.

The visitors opened the scoring after seven minutes when Anthony Byrne netted.

Twenty minutes later Christopher Bulman took advantage of a defensive mistake to double the lead.       

Regional had the ball in the net on the hour mark but the assistant Referee flagged a clash with Gratton Keeper James Byrne which saw Tommy Frawley’s goal disallowed.

The home side sniffed a change in the wind and they pulled one back through Donal O’Connell on 71 minutes.

Kieran O’Connell was fouled in the area and converted the resultant spot kick to send the game to extra time.

The comeback was completed in the first period of extra time when Ruari Casserly pounced on a loose ball following a corner kick to fire to the back of the net.

Regional Utd: Finn Clancy; Tom Frawley; Joey Rushe; Andrew Cowpar; David Cowpar; Shane Carmody; Donal O'Connell; Ewan O'Brien; Joe Lavan; Kieran O'Connell; Oleg Vysochan, Subs: Ruairi Casserley; Eoin Duff; Luke Ryan; Eduardo Almeida; Brian O'Connor; Pat McDonagh; Rob Shier.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Fairview Rgs 4 Charleville 0

NEW-LOOK Fairview Rgs eased to victory over Charleville at a wet and windy Fairgreen on Saturday evening.

With Conor Kavanagh, Kevin Barry and Jeffery Judge all making the switch from Aisling and Thomas O’Connor’s return from injury, the Blues looked a much stronger squad and all played their part in the win.

Adam Dore broke the deadlock with a beauty from the edge of the box in the early stages and Charleville feared the worst.
A quick-fire double from former Charleville favourite, Cian McNamara saw the contest over by half time.

To their credit, Charleville never gave up the fight and some stout defending saw the visitors holding out until the final act of the game when Kane Connolly scored a good goal from an acute angle.

Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Jeffery Judge; Blake Curran; Thomas O'Connor; Jason Cross; Conor Kavanagh; Shane Duggan; Adam Dore; Brian Aherne; Liam Quinn; Cian McNamara. Subs: Kevin Barry; Kane Connolly; Josh Quinlivan; Filip Mostowy; Jack Cross.

Charleville: Chris Kenny; Eoin O'Connor; Jason O'Hara; James Horgan; Gavin Mullins; Joe Kavanagh; Frank Herr; Fionn O'Connor; Aaron Moffat; Joey Herbert; Gerry O'Reilly. Subs: Tommy O'Neill; Sean McCormack.

Aisling Annacotty 9 Coonagh United 1

WITH the loss of a number of their squad to transfers, the grapevine had it that Aisling Annacotty might be in a spot of bother.

Well, the side gave their response on Saturday evening, turning in their best performance of the season to keep their title charge well on track.

Pity Coonagh, who had to face a side, challenging for honours and with something to prove.

Adam Costello put the home side ahead before Adam Foley doubled the lead. Goals from Richkov Boevi and Eliah Riordan made it 4-0 by the break.

It was more of the same after the restart. Adam Foley went on to complete his hat trick while a double from Tom Kidd and one from Darren Coughlan finished the scoring for the winners.

Aisling Annacotty: Josh Coady; Sean O'hAodha; Adam O'Regan; Richkov Boevi; Eliah Riordan; Adam Costello; Tom Kidd; Paul Brennan; Leon Daly; Adam Foley; Fiachra Cotter. Subs: Darren Coughlan; Brian O'Connor; Raid Mouras; Evans Ezekannagha.

Coonagh Utd: Josh Sheehan; Luke Doherty; Tommy Grimes; Christian Mubiala; Ronan Lynch; Ronan Ryan; Sean Hartney; Darragh Peters; Mike Guerin; Ossama Saddudi; Andrew Leydon. Subs: Ger Myles; Kieran Simmonds; Colm Kenny; Bryan Murray.

ROUND-UP:

PIKE Rovers Under17s scored a brilliant win over Dublin giants Stella Maris to reach the quarter finals of the FAI Cup.

There was nothing to choose between two committed sides until the dying minutes of injury time when Pa Steed put a ball into the area and Aaron Cusack arrived on cue to finish superbly.

In the Munster Youth Cup, Aisling Annacotty reached the last eight of the tournament thanks to a 3-2 win over Kerry outfit St Brendan’s Park.

Two goals from Cathal Downes and one from Eoghan Brady did the damage against a physical St Brendan’s XI.
Fairview Rgs went a goal behind before Cameron Walsh levelled their game with BT Harps. The visitors took the lead again just after the break but with twenty minutes remaining Pauric Murphy equalised.

Extra-time was needed and in the opening minute, Calum O’Hanlon scored what proved the winning goal.

In the Premier A League, Fairview Rgs B take the spotlight after an impressive 4-1 win Munster Youth Cup over title challengers Aisling B.

Derek Hannon bagged two for the winners with Jamie Hannon and Josh McCarthy also getting on the scoresheet.
Kilmallock go joint top following a last-minute win over Athlunkard Villa. Lorcan Feeney scored for Villa while Bjorn Downes replied and Paul Doona popped up with a late winner.

Craig Reddan scored the only goal of the game to give Summerville the points at Moyross.

The local derby in Cals Park between Prospect Priory and Hyde Rgs A ended 1-1. Calum Murphy put Hyde in front but Glen Kelly equalised for the home side.

In Division 1A Holycross and Star Rvs had the chance to go top of the table but they finished all square which keeps them just behind Southend. Pat Mooney scored for ‘Cross.

Jordan Nunan replied for Star. Granville Rgs and Caherconlish played out a thrilling 5-5 draw. Jack Flanagan (2), Eoin Quigley, Lee Downes and Aaron O'Hanlon scored for Granville.

James Cleary (2), Paudie Wixted, Eric Carr and Shane Byrne replied.

Division 1B leaders Aisling Annacotty D increased their lead to four points following a 5-1 win at Corbally Utd B. Jason Lipper scored twice with Alan Rossiter, Alan Nicholas and Sean Reeves Wasik making up the tally.

Adam O'Neill and Liam Dooley were on target for Mungret Reg, but they fell 3-2 to Parkville and goals from Gary Crowley, Tom Hayes and Dave Broderick.