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Written by Cormac Liddy   
Thursday, 05 February 2009

ONLY 16 clubs remain in the FAI Junior Cup which began with hundreds in action. Two of those still in contention for the most difficult trophy to win in this country are from Limerick, Fairview Rangers, and Janesboro but there was no joy for Pike Rovers, Granville Rangers or Rathkeale who were the sole survivors from the Desmond League.
Significantly the two clubs to advance were both playing at home.
Fairview Rangers beat Redcastle 2-0 thanks to goals by Christy Doyle and Robbie Kelleher.
There was a big crowd at Pearse Stadium when St. Michael’s from Tipperary were visitors. For the past few seasons Alan Barry has been a prolific scorer for the ‘Boro but this season he is playing for the Tipperary side who were soundly beaten, 3-0. Thomas Butler had a goal in each half for Janesboro with Shane Clarke once again on the scoresheet.
Pike Rovers made the long haul to play Erris United in Mayo but they lost 3-2. Keith Hartnett put Pike in front and they led for a second time but it was not enough with Erris scoring twice in four minutes to kill off the Limerick challenge.
Granville Rangers must have thought it would be their day when Neill McGroarty put them in front after only three minutes away to Lisselton but that was as good as it got as the Kerry side scored six subsequently.
Rathkeale were beaten 3-0 by the red hot favourites to win the trophy, Ballymun United.
Fixture secretaries in both the District and Desmond Leagues are facing into a hectic time because once again most games fell foul of the weather.
Regional United were to have travelled to county Cork to play Douglas hall but the game was postponed.
But without kicking a ball it was a good week-end for Regional who top the Premier Division.
And they were given a boost when Ballynanty Rovers, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Carew Park who were 2-1 winners. A win for Ballynanty would have left them a single point behind Regional but goals by Christopher Ward and Mark Slattery created the shock result. Shane Guerin had Ballynanty level but Slattery’s goal five minutes from the end decided the issue.
On this Thursday Granville Rangers will meet Rineanna in the Munster Junior Cup at Jackman Park and a host of games at all levels have been arranged for the week-end when it is hoped, at last, that the foul weather will have disappeared.
Three Premier League games are down for decision with Regional again due to face Douglas Hall in the top game of the week-end in the FAI Junior Cup.
A limited number of fixtures survived in both jurisdictions
In the Desmond Premier League cup there was a big surprise when Broadford United beat Glin Rovers 2-1. John L Shanahan and Darren Reidy scored for the winners.
There was a very important Premier League win for Newcastle West who beat Killeaney 5-0. It was close enough in the first half with a Thomas Geary goal being the only score. But Newcastle had four more in the second halk with Daniel Power getting two and Mark Doherty and Tony Quaid were also on the mark. The win means that Newcastle West are four points clear of Glin Rovers who have a game more played.
But there was disappointment for Newcasle West when their youths team went out of the Munster Cup when beaten by Coachford which brought to an end months of success. Robert Lee and Tony Quaid scored for Newcastle West who lost in a penalty shoot-out after extra time failed to break the deadlock.
Congratulations to Mark Doherty from Newcastle West who made his international debut against Northern Ireland last week. Four players from the District League also saw action during the 2-0 defeat.
 

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