Pike Rovers advance in Tuohy Cup

Pike Rovers advanced in the Tuohy Cup after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Regional United. Goals in either half from Steven McGann (x2) and Johnathan Grant either side of a Ewan O’Brien strike were enough to secure passage to the quarter-final.

Pike had a glorious opportunity to take the lead early on as Conor Kavanagh headed a dangerous Wayne O’Donovan corner from the left over the crossbar but the midfielder will feel he should have scored.

The Hoops striker Keith Mawdsley preferred ahead of Johnathan Grant, had a snapshot which was well saved by Kevin Walsh. Pike continued to assert their dominance and thought they had gained the lead when Paddy O’Malley’s cross found it’s way to Eoin Hanrahan who rifled a shot against the crossbar.

Moments later, midfielder Steven McGann fired wide but he was not to be denied as he slotted home from a Shane Walsh corner delivery after 30 minutes.

It looked as though Robbie Williams side were intent on extending their lead as a driving run and pass from Wayne O’Donovan to Keith Mawdsley ended in a curling effort from the former Janesboro man which travelled wide.

With half-time approaching, Regional created their only clear-cut scoring chance as Donal O’Connell pounced on a clearance from Gary Neville and struck low but Wayne O’Donovan got a crucial block to divert the ball out for a corner.

At the beginning of the second half, the Crosagalla outfit doubled their lead as a Mawdsley cross was defended poorly at the back post which allowed Steven McGann to pounce and slam the ball beyond Walsh.

Mawdsley should have converted the next chance as good combination play between O’Malley and Fletcher allowed the latter to cross for the striker who hit the upright when he looked certain to score.

Regional pulled a goal back when Neville saved an O’Connell effort and hesitancy from Ian Fletcher allowed Ewan O’Brien to nip into tap home. It was a very avoidable goal from a Pike perspective.

Although it may have become nervy, Hanrahan raced to the byline before squaring for substitute Johnathan Grant to finish from close range. Shane Walsh tried an audacious 30 yard shot which almost caught out Walsh who was saved by the crossbar.

Regional United: Kevin Walsh, Tommy Frawley (Paudi Hartigan), Oisin Hassett (Dave Cowpar), Andy Cowpar, Sean Madigan (Martin Madigan), Andy Quaid, Ewan O’Brien, Donal O’Connell, Shane Dillon, Willie Griffin (Jamie Greaves), Paul Sheahen

Pike Rovers: Gary Neville, Wayne O’Donovan, Pat Mullins, Eddie O’Donovan, Ian Fletcher, Conor Kavanagh, Shane Walsh, Steven McGann (Jason Mullins), Eoin Hanrahan, Paddy O’Malley (Colin Daly), Keith Mawdsley (Johnathan Grant)