*Elias Kunz celebrates with Nneji Nnabuike. Photograph: Natasha Barton
AVENUE UNITED piled the misery on Mountshannon Celtic when dishing out a heavy beating in a rain-trodden Roslevan on Sunday.
Action began in the Munster Junior Cup over the weekend with Premier Division league leaders Bridge Utd overcoming a stern test from Newmarket Celtic B.
It took extra time to separate the sides with Paul Corry getting the all-important goal that would prove to be the difference. Fine saves from Alan Reidy helped to keep the Bridge at bay but Leon Daly eventually gave them the breakthrough to nudge in front. Having fell behind in the second half, substitute Ronan Tuohy put Bridge Utd back on level terms with U16 players Jack O’Halloran and Darragh Hayes having pivotal roles for their third goal.
Bridge Utd: Paul Tuohy, Jay Whyte, Jon Downes, Alan Mulready, Storm Devanney, Brandon O’Halloran, Jordan Downes, Kieran Quinlan, Paul Corry, Leon Daly, Alex Collins. Subs: Ronan Tuohy for Collins, Jack O’Halloran for B O’Halloran, Darragh Hayes for Jordan Downes, Steve Stewart for Kieran Quinlan
A gulf in class between the top tier and lower leagues was also evident with the comprehensive wins enjoyed by Shannon Town and Newmarket Celtic who defeated Fern Celtic and Shannon Hibs by 15 and 14 goals respectively.
Goals from Ian MacNamara and Daragh Corry saw Tulla Utd gain revenge on Lifford FC. Mike Moloney’s side had lost out to the same opposition in the Premier Division a week previous but had a 2-1 win when the sides met in The Cragg to advance to the next round. Tulla’s next focus is a meeting with Avenue Utd in the FAI Junior Cup, their clash takes place this Sunday at 2pm.
Munster Junior Cup Round 1 Results:
Newmarket Celtic B 3-4 Bridge United
Shannon Town 15-0 Fern Celtic B
Shannon Hibs B 0-14 Newmarket Celtic
Bunratty Cratloe 1-4 Kilrush Rangers
Tulla United 2-1 Lifford AFC
Shannon Olympic 3-2 Fern Celtic
Maloney Hardware Premier Division
Avenue United 12
Mountshannon Celtic 0
Venue: Roslevan
Avenue Utd proved far too strong for Mountshannon Celtic as the league champions recorded their biggest win of the season to date.
New signing, Nneji Nnabuike struck for four goals with Mark Roche (2), Ronan Kerin, Conor Mullen, Vincent Onouha, Gary Roche and Dylan Barry also getting in on the scoring act. An own goal also hit the back of the Mountshannon net.
The result puts Avenue in third spot of the Premier Division with six points to their name. Rivals Newmarket Celtic are in fourth with a game in hand while Bridge Utd and Lifford FC head up the table.
With the concession of 31 goals in three games, Mountshannon Celtic are at the bottom of the table and in need of a major morale lift. They host Shannon Town Utd this Sunday as they bid to collect their first points of the season.
Avenue Utd: James Tierney, Conor Hehir, Cullen McCabe, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey, Nneji Nnabuike, Callum Barrett, Dylan Barry, Eliaz Kunz, Ronan Kerin, Mark Roche. Subs: Kaylan O’Loughlin for Mullen, Stephen Talty for Barry, Vincent Onouha for Roche, Gary Roche for Kunz, Stephen Jordan for Barrett
Brian Pyne Tiles Second Division
Ennis Dons 3-1 Hermitage FC
Brownie’s Barbershop Third Division
Bridge Celtic 4-1 Shannon Town C
Manus Celtic 2-1 Coole FC B
