Connolly to the rescue for West in Junior Cup encounter

West United  3

Colemanstown United 3

(Aet – West won 4-3 on pens)

WEST United goalkeeper Aaron Connolly provided all the late heroics as his side defeated Colemanstown United by 4-3 on penalties, after the teams had finished level at 3-3 following extra time in Sunday’s FAI Junior Cup contest at South Park.

His two penalty saves secured the home side’s passage as they limped past a Colemanstown side which finished with nine players, while West were also a man down, as they finished with ten.

In the contest itself, it was the visitor’s who took an early lead as Tom Flannery fired them ahead, before goals by Geoffrey Power, Shane Keogh and Sean Keogh had the home side 3-1 up at the break. The dismissals certainly left matters very much in favour of West, but their inability to take their chances was to cost them dearly as Colemanstown United fought back to level matters at 3-3.

Ray Moran pulled one back with a shot past Connolly from inside the box and after the goalkeeper was penalised by referee Vincent Carew for an infringement, Moran touched the resulting indirect free kick to Ronan Geraghty and the defender blasted home to tie up matters. When extra time could not separate the sides, the contest was eventually decided on penalties as West United prevailed by 4-3.

Shane Keogh, Geoffrey Power, Barry McEntee and John Mulligan were all on the mark for the home side, with Richie Lally, Ronan Geraghty and Ray Moran responding for the visitors. West goalkeeper Connolly played his part with saves to deny Fergal Flannery and new signing Stephen Rabbitte.

Cup Summary

Goalkeepers Brian O’Donoghue and Neil Joyce were kept busy with some impressive shot stopping as Mervue United eventually saw off Corrib Celtic by 1-0 in Fahy’s Field.

In a contest in which plenty of chances were created, a first half Keith McHugh header following a Jason Molloy corner was enough to separate the sides in a close contest. Brian Burke, Cian Forde and Laurance Forde all had opportunities for the visitors, but couldn’t find a way past O’Donoghue.

At Millar’s Lane, Bohemians certainly put it up to Athenry before the visitors eventually prevailed by 2-1 following extra time. Scoreless at the break, a Colm O’Donovan shot put Athenry ahead, before Sean Guinan levelled matters for the home side in the closing stages. Eventually, a Cathal Fahy goal settled the issue in extra time as Seamie Crowe’s charges had a timely escape.

Scoreless at the break, second half goals by Bryan McGhee and Darren Creaven secured a 2-0 away win for Loughrea over an understrength St Bernard’s in Abbeyknockmoy as they followed up a recent 1-1 draw in league action at the same venue.

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