Three Limerick sides progress in the FAI Junior cup while three sides are eliminated

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Limerick junior soccer as three of the city’s teams advanced to the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup. However, three local sides were also knocked out including one of the favourites Janesboro.

Wexford based side North End travelled to Pearse Stadium to take on joint favourites Janesboro. The Wexford side have been to this stage regularly in recent years and were always going to provide a stern test to Shane O’Hanlon’s side.

Shane Dempsey gave the visitors a surprise lead before Jason Murphy doubled North End’s lead in the second period. Janesboro pushed hard to find a way back in to the game and pulled a goal back through Mike Ryan. Unfortunately for the ‘Boro faithful it proved to be a consolation goal and one of Limerick’s strongest representatives bowed out of the competition.

The big success story of the weekend came on the astroturf at Dublin Institute of Technology as Coonagh United enjoyed a superb 2-5 victory over Dingle of Dublin. Former Moyross striker Ger Myles gave Coonagh a 0-2 lead before Dingle pulled a goal back. Mark McGrath restored Coonagh’s two goal lead before Dingle were awarded a penalty which was converted to make it 2-3 with 15 minutes remaining.

However, Coonagh not only held firm but added two goals through Eoghan O’Neill to secure a memorable victory. It has been a long time since a team from the third tier of Limerick soccer advanced so emphatically to the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup.

Pike Rovers eased their way into the last 32 at the expense of fellow Limerick side Hill Celtic. Two divisions separate the sides locally and it showed as Pike ran out 0-7 winners at Hogan Park. Eoin Hanrahan stole the show scoring a hat trick while ex Limerick FC player Dave Ryan scored two.

Paddy O’Malley and Pat Mullins were also on the scoresheet. With Janesboro crashing out of the competition and many of the squad still available since the club’s last appearance in the final in 2015, Pike will be restored as Limerick’s main hope of success in the competition under manager Mick Shiels.

Regional United secured a notable 1-0 win over St. Peters in Dooradoyle on Sunday to join Pike in the next round. Oscar Traynor squad player Evan Patterson continued his fine form this season to score the only goal of the game. It was a great victory for Ray Lynch’s team as St. Peters have made regular appearances in the latter rounds of the FAI Junior cup in the last 3 years. Regional have reached the last 16 and quarter final stages on a number of occasions and will be hoping to go a step further this season.

Arguably, Niall Hogan’s Shelbourne faced the toughest assignment when they travelled to Galway to face Mervue. Mervue took a 3-0 lead inside half an hour and Shelbourne players must have been fearing the worst at this stage.

However, the northside club showed great character as a goal from substitute Ciaran Cummins and a wonder strike from Brendan O’Dwyer brought Shels right back into the game. They pushed hard but Mervue hung on and were relieved to hear the full time whistle. It was a great performance by the 1B side who would been tipped by many to be easily beaten on paper.

In the PJ Matthews Premier League, Ballynanty earned a 0-3 win away at bottom side Holycross. Holycross were helped by Fairview who defeated Charleville 3-2 at the Fairgreen. It was a clean sweep of defeats for the relegation threatened sides as Moyross were beaten 3-0 away at Carew Park.

Social Sharing

Posted in

Treaty United fall to late Cobh winner at Markets Field

Treaty United took on Cobh Ramblers this Thursday. Regardless of result, tonight's match felt like the transitional pinpoint ...
Read More

First time visit for Treaty United’s Canadian investment company

Chuck emphasised the amount of work which has gone on at the club which might not be obvious ...
Read More

Treaty United pick up home win over Bray Wanderers | HIGHLIGHTS

Cristopher's left-footed delivery was powerfully headed home by Lynch, who delivered a celebration to match with an emphatic ...
Read More

Treaty United host Bray Wanderers looking to get back to winning ways

The sides also met in March this season, playing out a 2-2 draw with goals from Mark Walsh ...
Read More

Treaty United slump to Kerry FC defeat | HIGHLIGHTS

Enda Curran got United back into it when he scored from the spot 15 minutes from time, but ...
Read More

Treaty United pick up first victory in over three months | HIGHLIGHTS

Byrne became the hero and match winner eight minutes from time, when he turned home Lee Devitt's goal-bound ...
Read More

Treaty United welcome Longford Town for First Division meeting

However, Treaty won three of the pair's four clashes last season, and will be confident going into this ...
Read More

“We’ve been very unlucky” | Tommy Barrett speaks after Cork City draw

As expected, Cork dominated possession, but in truth they failed to create much by way of a concrete ...
Read More