CLARE’s youths side began their Inter-League Youths Cup bid with a home 2-2 draw against Limerick on Saturday evening.
Ruairí Price’s side came from behind on two occasions to force the draw with Eoin Hassett and an own goal accounting for the Clare scores.
Simon Kilker was busy throughout the early exchanges and while he pulled off a fine save on five minutes, he couldn’t stop Jake Leamy opening the scoring from five yards.
Hassett who was introduced as a half-time substitute equalised on fifty seven minutes. Dangerman Leamy again put Limerick back in front punishing Banner defending.
James Wallace’s cross was deflected into the Limerick net by Sean Ó hÁodha to give the hosts a share of the spoils.
Clare have a bye in the next round before travelling to face Galway in what will be a must-win encounter.
Clare: Simon Kilker, Luc Fitzpatrick, Hubert Kantecki, Adam McNamara, Aodh O’Donnell, Jack O’Halloran, Cormac Byrne, Joe Hanrahan, Matthew Conway, Ben McDonough, Darragh Hayes.
Subs: Eoin Hassett for Hayes, James Wallace for Conway, Eoin McGillick for Kantecki, Cathal Howard for O’Donnell, Julian Heaney for McDonough.
Super six for Fair Green Celtic
Fair Green Celtic 6
Fern Celtic 0
Venue: Frank Healy Park
Dean Coughlan netted a hat-trick with Bruce Piggott scoring twice and David McMahon also goaling as Fair Green Celtic secured their first piece of silverware.
They were by far the superior side to win the Brownie’s Barbershop Third Division League Cup and the Ennis side look very likely to also win promotion from this Division.
Avenue march on in FAI Junior Cup
FAI Junior Cup Round 3
Lifford 0-3 Avenue Utd
Venue: Tom Steele Park, Ennis
Goals Mark Roche (2), Nneji Nnabuike
Avenue Utd had the bragging rights in the Ennis derby to advance to the fourth round of the FAI Junior Cup. Mark Roche scored twice on an afternoon when they were clearly the better side.
Avenue went in front on 21 minutes when Mark Roche picked up a ball 35 yards out from goal and unleashed a brilliant effort that flew into the top left corner of the Lifford net.
It was 2-0 Avenue on 23 minutes when Nneji Nnabuike got on the end of a well delivered corner from Stephen Jordan and headed past Rhys Phillips in the Lifford goal.
Avenue got the chance to wrap up the victory on 75 minutes when Nnabuike got some space in the Lifford area and hit a low shot to the corner that was blocked by the hand of a Lifford defender. Penalty to Avenue and Mark Roche made no mistake from the spot to make it 3-0 to the visitors.
Avenue Utd: Tom O’Brien, Conor Hehir, Cullen McCabe, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey, Dylan Barry, Callum Barrett, Nneji Nnabuike, Eliaz Kunz, Stephen Jordan, Mark Roche
Subs: Kaylan O’Loughlin for Barry, Tomas Hehir for Jordan, Stephen Talty for Barrett, Gary Roche for Roche, Michael Dinan for Kunz.
Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division:
Coole FC 1-0 Tulla Utd
Ann Romer Florist First Division League:
Bridge Utd B 2-1 Rhine Rovers
Shannon Town Utd B 3-2 Shannon Olympic
Kilkishen Celtic 3-2 Connolly Celtic
Games postponed over the weekend included the Premier Division tie between Kilrush Rangers and Mountshannon Celtic plus the meetings of Fern Celtic A vs Inch Crusaders, Corofin Harps vs Bunratty Cratloe and Shannon Hibs B vs Hermitage.
