Limerick Soccer - Janesboro advance in FAI Junior

Pat Sheehan reports on the big local FAI Junior Cup game last weekend where a Shane Clarke header helped Janesboro to a 1-0 win over Ballynanty Rovers.

On an afternoon more suitable for seagulls than soccer players Janesboro host Ballynanty Rovers at Pearse Stadium vying for a place in the open draw stages of the FAI Cup.

In the end the home side progressed thanks to a Shane Clarke goal ten minutes from the end.

It was a relief for the Boro striker who made amends for an earlier penalty kick miss in a game that never really rose above the mediocre.

Great credit is due to the Janesboro club for having their pitch in such good order. But despite their best efforts, the conditions for the players were horrendous.

Neither keeper was particularly busy with passes galore going astray but in truth the home side looked the more likely to score and will be glad to have got over a hurdle as difficult as Ballynanty Rvs.

The first action of note came 15 mins into the game. From Darren Glasheen’s free kick Shane Clarke flicked on to the onrunning Aidan Hurley but from 10 yards out the former Aisling man volleyed over the top. Ten min later Shane Clarke was upended in the area and dusted himself down to take the spot kick himself however on this occasion the normally reliable striker saw his penalty kick superbly saved by Ballynanty keeper Stephen McNamara. Boro had a chance again ten minutes after that when another clever through ball from Clarke sent Stephen Kelly racing into the area but a superb defensive cover by Shane Doran turned the ball out for a fruitless corner.

Balla went close at the start of the second half but Alex Purcell’s downward header was gathered easily by Glasheen.

The Boro keeper had to be sharp later in the game racing from his line to punch clear when the visitors looked like they might make the breakthrough.

The introduction of Conor Lynch gave the ‘Boro a more focused approach and Clrke nearly scored when he showed superb footwork on the end line shooting between the legs of a defender, along the line and off the far upright, Shane Waters following up was denied by Jason Hughes.

Five minutes later a poor kick out was gathered by Declan Nash and returned with venom from 25 yards but the ball again the struck the Balla upright before being hacked to safety.

The only goal of the game arrived ten minutes from the break. A foul on Wayne O’Donovan on the right gave Aled Harkin the opportunity to deliver a sweet free kick into the area where Clarke somehow got a head to the ball to loop it over the Balla keeper into the net.

Balla threw caution to the wind in search of an equaliser but could not break down a defence well marshalled by Pat McGarry.

JANESBORO - Darren Glasheen; Wayne O’Donovan; Aled Harkin; Pat McGarry; Lee O’Mara; Shane Waters; David Donnan; Aidan Hurley; Sean Kelly; Declan Nash; Shane Clarke. Subs: Conor Lynch; Christy Doyle

BALLYNANTY ROVERS - Stephen McNamara; Dara Hughes; Shane Doran; Dermot Fitzgerald; David Dunphy; Bobby Griffin; Jason Hughes; Shane Guerin; Brian Doran; Alex Purcell; Tony Fahy. Subs: Paul Quinn; Adam Frahill; Frank Lee

Murroe 1 Pike Rovers 8

As the scoreline suggests Murroe had no answer to the might of Pike Rvs as the Premier team waltzed into the FAI open draw hitting eight goals along the way.

Keith Harnett killed off the home challenge with an early goals and the former FAI Champions tacked on further scores from John Okoro, John Tierney (2), Dave Ryan, Pat Moloney, Conor Moloney and Martin Deedy. Eoin Hartnett scored a consolation goal for Murroe.