*Regional Utd’s Brian O’Connor. Photograph: Joe Buckley
WHILE all Clare clubs may be out of the race to win the FAI Junior Cup, hopes for some sort of Banner success is still alive.
Newmarket Celtic became the first Clare club to win the prestigious national title when they defeated Tipperary side St Michael’s AFC in April of last year. Avenue Utd’s elimination from the competition by Tallaght Utd in the last sixteen ended the possibility of back to back titles for Clare clubs. Tallaght were subsequently knocked out over the weekend by Gorey Utd.
Three Clare men were in the starting eleven for Limerick club Regional Utd who prevailed in extra time away to Trim Celtic on a score of 4-3. They led 3-1 at half-time but conceded two goals in the second half before holding on to book a place in the last eight.
Shannon’s Eoin Duff opened the scoring for Regional on nine minutes with Brian O’Connor lining out in the heart of their midfield. Rob Shier of Newmarket-on-Fergus started in goals, while his side conceded three goals, Rob still managed to keep a clean sheet, that because he got his marching orders for a second bookable offence on thirty three minutes, Trim’s James Goggins missed a penalty while Shier was involved in the action. He’ll be available for their next outing in the competition.
Ennis’ Colm Walsh O’Loghlen scored a fantastic volley for Limerick club Pike Rovers as they recorded a 6-0 win over Ballymun Utd at the University of Limerick. In his eighty five minutes on the field, Colm produced a right-footed volley that ended up in the top right corner of the net on eighty two minutes while in the first half, he had the assist for Pike’s opening goal which was finished by Colin Daly.
FAI Junior Cup Last 16:
Clonmel Celtic FC 2-1 Letterkenny Rovers
Peake Villa FC 3-0 Buncrana Hearts
Cockhill Celtic 4-0 Maree/Oranmore FC
Pike Rovers 6-0 Ballymun Utd
Evergreen FC 0-2 St Michael’s AFC
Gorey Rangers 6-1 Tallaght Utd
Trim Celtic AFC 3-4 Regional Utd (AET)
