Ballynanty overcome Mungret Regional in Touhy Cup

Ballynanty Rovers advanced in the Touhy Cup at the expense of Mungret Regional at Jackman Park on Thursday night thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 win. A first half goal from Conor Ellis was followed by two second half headers from Kevin Nolan to provide the victory.

Ballynanty dominated possession but it was Mungret who created the first clear chance as Cian McNicholas raced onto a breaking ball on the left hand side and his shot from a narrow angle travelled wide.

Ballynanty took the lead when Derek Daly gained possession on the left flank and squared to a criminally unmarked Conor Ellis in the six yard box and the striker had time to lose his footing and quickly regain it before tapping into an empty net.

It was a bitterly disappointing way for Mungret to go behind as they had maintained a good shape and defended well in the first half an hour.

McNicholas tried in vain to find an equaliser for Mungret as Stephen McNamara in the Ballynanty goal needed two attempts to gather his 30-yard free-kick effort.

It looked as though Donal Magee’s side had extended their lead before half time as Jason Hughes through ball found Ellis who struck low beyond James Roche and into the net.

However, following consultation with linesman Brian Higgins, referee Donal Power disallowed the goal for offside. With just minutes gone in the second period, Balla did get the goal they craved as Kevin Nolan powerfully met a Michael Guerin corner at the front post to score.

It wasn’t to be the last time that combination was used as a deep cross from Guerin was headed home by Nolan to put the tie beyond doubt. Mungret did go close as substitute Craug Prendergast cleverly flicked a McNicholas corner onto the crossbar and over.

Ger Higgins should have added a fourth for Ballynanty when a quickly taken free kick and low cross from Barry Quinn was slced by the unmarked Higgins at the back post.

It proved to be the last chance of note as the northsiders advanced in a professional manner.

Ballynanty Rovers: Stephen McNamara, Michael Guerin (Dan Lucey), Dara Hughes, Ken Meehan, Ronan Ryan, Jason Hughes, Dave Donnan (Thomas Lyons), Derek Daly (Barry Quinn), Kevin Nolan (Ger Higgins), Adrian Power (Dylan Kelly-Higgins), Connor Ellis

Mungret Regional: James Roche, Conor Myers, Adam Storan, Adam Costelloe, Eoghan Kelly (Martin Lennon), Darragh Killian (Mark Purcell), Liam O’Sullivan (Rory Hanrahan) Evan Barrett (Craig Prendergast), Keith Storan, Cian McNicholas, Yakuba Yabre,