Hibs bow out of FAI Junior Cup in controversial circumstances

Clonmel Town 2

Hibernians 1

Galway last representative in the FAI Junior Cup exited in controversial circumstances on Sunday last when a very contentious penalty and a late winner gave the Tipperary side a 2-1 victory and a place in the last 16 draw.

The contest was scoreless at the break, mainly through the heroics of visiting goalkeeper John Cotter, who made a number of smart saves to keep the game alive. The reality was that Hibernians played well in spells, but seldom threatened in the last third of the park.

However, they took the lead with a stunning goal on 73 minutes. Central defender Kevin Fitzpatrick picked up possession in his own half and was allowed stroll through the centre of the park unchallenged before playing a one-two with the supporting Keith Ward and then lashing the return pass into the top corner for a 1-0 advantage.

Within a minute, the sides were level with what Hibernians manager Derek O’Loughlin described as “the most diabolical penalty I ever saw awarded in my football career”. Tony Scully slotted home from the spot to tie up matters at 1-1.

Hibernians problems were further compounded as they were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Brian Griffin after he had words with the local match official over his contentious awarding of the penalty.

After being denied twice previously by the woodwork, Clonmel pressed home their advantage in the closing minutes, as Aidan McGrath forced home a Barry Ryan cross to make it 2-1 and secure the home side’s passage to the seventh round.

Unfortunately, Hibernians were forced to line out without regulars Martin Coady and Gary Kelly and while they can have little complaint about the final outcome, it was the manner of the victory that left a sour taste. With Mervue United losing to Liffey Wanderers in the previous round, it meant that the Galway challenge for the FAI Junior Cup ended very early in the campaign.

Elsewhere, due to the inclement weather promised, there was a blanket postponement of all local league and cup games over the weekend.

YOUTHS/OSCAR TRAYNOR

While both the Galway Youth and Junior sides advanced from their respective groups in the FAI Inter League and Oscar Traynor Trophy, they both finished as runners up to the Combined Counties and Clare League and as a result were presented with away draws in the knockout stages of the competition.

Garret Gorman’s Oscar Traynor squad will make the long journey to face a Wexford League side who topped their group and the preliminary quarterfinal is schedule to take place before the end of February.

Brian Laffey’s Youth charges will also have to take to the road as they were drawn away to Donegal.

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