Pike Rovers advance to FAI Junior Cup decider at the Aviva Stadium

Mick Shiel’s Pike Rovers advanced to the FAI Junior Cup final which will be held at the Aviva Stadium following an entertaining 3-2 victory over Clare opponents Newmarket Celtic after extra-time in Crossagalla. Newmarket fielded a strong side which included former Limerick FC captain Pat Purcell and Irish junior International Eoin Hayes.

A brace from Colin Daly had given Pike a 2-0 lead but they were pegged back as the visitors equalised in injury time to take the game to extra-time. In the first half of extra-time, substitute Cian Power grabbed the winner to ensure passage to the final in May.

The Hoops will face North End in the final after the Wexford side beat former winners St. Michaels 2-1 on Saturday evening in Tipperary. It is Pike’s second final in three years as they were beaten 1-0 by Sheriff in 2016.

In the FAI Youth Cup semi-final, Kilfrush suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Waterford club Tramore as the Suirside club ran out comprehensive 6-0 winners.