City sides advance to next round of Michael Byrne Cup

Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

The Michael Byrne Cup took centre stage in the weekend action and for all the big city clubs there were some comfortable successes as the holders Mervue United, Salthill Devon and West United all advanced with ease; while Maree/Oranmore and Mervue United B also found a place in the next round.

In the FAI Junior Cup, Athenry advanced to the last eight with a come-from-behind win over Dublin visitors Crumlin United, but they will have to wait until February 18 for the quarter-final draw to see who they will be facing in the quarter-finals.

Michael Byrne Cup

Following defeats against Manulla and West United in successive weeks and the loss of leading scorer Enda Curran to Galway United, these are challenging times for Mervue United, but in Fahy’s Field on Saturday they got back to winning ways with a 5-1 win over Division 1 side, Knocknacarra.

No doubt the prolific scoring rate of Curran will be missed, but his departure presented an opportunity for returning striker Stephen Cunningham to make a mark and he duly obliged by scoring the first and providing the assist for Barry Moran to notch the second.

Defender Tommy Walsh would not be renowned as a scorer, but on this occasion he found the net twice, before one of the younger brigade, Aaron Molloy also found the range in a comfortable win for the holders.

Ross Medley got a lone consolation goal for the visitors, who were out of their depth in this game, but are contending for promotion from Division 1.

Salthill Devon had to work hard for a 5-1 away success over St Bernard’s. It was the home side who took the lead when Colin Tracey found the net, but a three-goal blast before the break got Devon back on track. Following a Mikey Fox corner, Gary Kinneen scrambled home the equaliser, before Aaron Conway set up Shane Concannon to give them the lead. Concannon then turned provider as Tony Smith got the better of Denis Farragher in a one-on-one situation to give them a 3-1 interval advantage.

The resumption saw the visitors continue to enjoy the upper hand and they added to their tally with two second-half penalties, as Fox converted first after he was fouled in the box, before Cian Murray – son of former player, Donal – was also fouled in the area and Smith duly converted from the spot for his second of the day.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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