Galway teams advance in latest round of Junior Cup

By Mike Rafferty

IT was generally a good weekend for Galway League clubs in Connacht Junior Cup action with all the top sides advancing, while Corrib Celtic achieved a notable double as both their A and B teams were successful with wins at home in Annaghdown.

It was Corrib Celtic B who got proceedings underway on the old pitch and after building up a 4-0 interval advantage, they were always in command in a 6-2 win over Sligo visitors St John’s.

Striker Kevin Fox opened the scoring with a close range flick following a corner and the front man went on to score four on the day. His striking partner Laurence Forde was also never shy in the finishing stakes and he scored the remaining two goals.

Corrib Celtic A suffered an early setback when a Keith Muldoon penalty put Ballymoe ahead, before a Chris Greaney equaliser from the spot left the sides level at 1-1 at the break. Greaney eventually secured a second half winner as the home side prevailed by 2-1.

It took an impressive second half display from last season’s beaten finalist’s Athenry in order to see off Cloonfad United by 4-1. The visitors took an opening half lead courtesy of a Cathal Fahy finish, after the striker controlled and finished an Alan O’Donovan cross, before a Morgan Lyons free kick tied up matters just before the break.

A shot from Colm O’Donovan took a deflection to put Athenry ahead, before brother Alan burst through to fire home and make matters much more comfortable at 3-1. Alan Harty sealed the victory with the fourth.

Dynamo Blues impressed with a 4-2 away win over Ballygawley Celtic in Sligo  as Mark Sweeney (two), Dean Fallon and Kuba all found the net for the Tuam side. Eoghan Roche slotted home a second half penalty awarded for handball to give St Bernard’s a1-0 away winners over Iorras Aontaithe.

Ballinasloe Town were generally in command as they defeated Aughannagh Celtic by 3-2. The home side were two up at the break, with Darragh Concannon on the mark in each half, while Mark Duffy completed their tally.

Paddy Mullins and Ray Moran provided the assists as Jason Finn fired Colemanstown United ahead away against Castlerea Celtic, but that was as good as it got for the visitors as goals in each half by Ronan Curran and Peter Farrell gave the Roscommon side a 2-1 victory.

In a game played under lights in Carraroe, an Oisin O’Griofa goal gave MacDara the lead against Bohemians, but the home side failed to drive on as Sean Guinan scored twice before the break to give Bohemians a 2-1 win.

In another all local affair, Hibernians emerged 2-1 winners over Salthill Devon in Bohermore. Scoreless at the break, it was the home side who took the lead on 63 minutes when Keith Ward drilled home from outside the box.

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