There were a number of impressive performances by Clare sides as the race for the FAI Junior Cup got underway at the weekend.
Avenue United and Newmarket Celtsic have both progressed, Newmarket by virtue of a walkover as their opponents Classic FC weren’t able to field a team. There was disappointment for Shannon Town who went down, 1-2 to Rathkeale.
First round games in the Munster Junior Cup will dominate the Clare soccer scene this coming Sunday
Electric Elias hits five goals as Avenue ease to victory
Avenue United 7
Granagh 0
Five goals from Elias Kunz was the highlight of Avenue United’s easy win over Granagh from the Desmond league.
A lightening start which saw the Ennis based side go 3-0 up in the opening ten minutes all three coming from Kunz laid the foundation for this comfortable win.
On a day when the other scorers were Ronan Kersin and Cian O’Dea, the winners were 6-0 in front at the interval and they could have had as many more such was their dominance.
Avenue United; James Tierney; Cullen McCabe, Conor Mullen, Dylan Casey, Shane Brown, Mark Roche, Dylan Barry, Alan Roche, Cian O’Dea, Ronan Kerin, Eliaz Kunz.
Subs: Jamie Roche for McCabe; Simon Cuddy for Mullen; Gary Roche for M. Roche; Mikey Dinan for A. Roche.
Keenan sends Ennis Town through
Ennis Town 2
Broadford 1
Ennis Town recorded a good win in this first round tie against a fancied Desmond League team in a tie played at Frank Healy Park in Doora.
After a scoreless opening half, Ennis Town got the upperhand and went in front o n the hour mark when Lase Ifebago scored the lead was short lived, however as minutes later Broadford equalised,
The winner came with fifteen minutes remaining when Davy Keenan hit the target.
Ennis Town; Andrew Skerritt; Declan Ensko, Stephen Horgan, Lase Ifebajo, Sean Perrill, Eoin Keenan, Peter O’Brien, Jashar Aliu, Lee Clohessy, Dean \hegarty, Davy Keenan;
Subs: Robbie Gormley for Aliu; Josh Saidi for O’Brien; Paddy Bugler for Ensko; Bruce Piggott for D. Keenan
Coole progress on penalties
Newcastle West 2
Coole FC 2
(AET)
Coole win 7-6 on penalties
Coole FC had an excellent away win in Newcastle West. The game ended with the sides locked together at 2 all. Extra time failed to break the deadlock so a penalty shoot out was needed to separate the sides and here Coole won on a 7-6 scoreline
Home advantage doesn’t aid Shannon Town
Shannon Town 1
Rathkeale 2
This game was tied at 1 all at half time, the home side had a chance to go in front when awarded a penalty but Gary O’Connell failed to convert. Then late in game Rathkeale scored to earn their place in second round.
Abbeyfeale too strong for Bunratty/Cratloe
Abbeyfeale 6
Bunratty/Cratloe 4
An excellent performance by the third division side just came up short and the more experienced Abbeyfeale came out on top, thanks to their greater strength and experience.
The scorers for Bunratty/Cratloe were were Evan Barry (2) with Dylan Kerr and Darren Lindsay also hitting the net.
Bridge battle into second round
Bridge Utd 5
St Brendan’s Park (Kerry) 1
This was an excellent performance by the Bridge who are finding the going tough in the Premier Division in Clare at present.
Kieran Quinlan (2), Leon Daly, Brian Corry and Glenn Murray were the scorers for Bridge United in this one.
Olympic exit at first hurdle
Dingle Bay Rovers 5
Shannon Olympic 4
Shannon Olympic made the long trip to Kerry to play Dingle Bay Rovers, and despite scoring 4 they were beaten 5-4 by the home side. The Olympic scorers were Jason Regan (3) and Daniel Clair.
Elsewhere, Shannon Town B lost out to Desmond League side Breska (1-2) while Shannon Hibs fell short against Listowel (1-6) and Lifford were edge out against Kerry club Mastergeeha (2-3).
