No Shock Exits in FAI Junior Cup

The second round of the FAI Junior Cup produced no shocks of note on Sunday morning with all Limerick District League Premier Division heavyweights safely progressing to the next round.

There were some big score lines once again which begs the question, should the Premier Division teams, or at least the top six, enter the Limerick section in round three.

Ballynanty Rovers were buoyed by the addition of Kieran Hanlon to partner former Limerick FC teammate Connor Ellis up front and were 9-0 victors over Wembley Rovers at Limerick Institute of Technology.

It was expected to be a one side affair and it proved just that with new signing Hanlon opening the scoring. Donal Magee’s side raced into a 5-0 lead with Dylan Higgins, Adrian Power and Connor Ellis (x2) adding to the comprehensive lead. Higgins went on to add a second goal to his personal tally while Ellis completed his hattrick. Barry Quinn and new arrival Thomas Lyons were also on the scoresheet.

In form Geraldines were 11-0 winners over near neighbours Granville at the Garryowen Grenn with Ian O’Donoghue scoring a hattrick. George Daffy, Danny O’Neill and Ross Mitchell all bagged a brace each while Kevin Barry and Shane Cox netted a goal apiece to complete the rout.

The all Premier Division clash between Mungret and Coonagh proved to be a much tighter affair with a solitary goal from Ger Myles separating the teams. Coonagh avoided consecutive exits in both big cup competitions with a rare clean sheet which will please John Spillane.

Another all Premier Division metting was more one sided as Aisling Annacotty dished out a 7-0 thrashing of Kilmallock in Annacotty. Brothers Shane and Thomas Clarke opened the scoring before further goals from Paudie Walsh (x2), Shane Donegan (x2) and Janes Cleary secured the win.

Pike Rovers were 5-1 victors over a spirited Pallas United at Crosagalla. Johnathan Grant opened the scoring and to their credit, Pallas held their illustrious opponents for the rest of the half until the half-time whistle. In the second half fitness showed as Steven McGann, Eoin Hanrahan, Oisin Kelly and Keith Mawdsley all adding goals.

Regional United were also comfortable winners as they easily defeated Shelbourne 8-0 at Shelbourne Park. In a mini surprise, Hyde Rangers kncoked out Holycross who are a division ahead of the southsiders with a 1-0 win through a goal from Kevin Slattery.