Avenue secured their place in the last four of the Munster Youths Cup while there was action in the Clare Cup and various Leagues, Oliver Fitzpatrick reports.
Munster Youths Cup ¼ Final
Avenue Utd 3-1 Aisling Annacotty A
Avenue put in a great second half performance to come from goal down at the break to advance to the Munster Youths Cup semi-final. Sean Doherty leveled the game early in second half. Gavin Cooney put Avenue in front and Doherty wrapped up the victory with his second goal of the game near the finish.
Avenue Utd: Johnny Ryan; Ronan Lanigan, Brian Downey, Ikem Ugwueru, Ben Quinn; Cathal Darcy, Sean Doherty, Conor McDaid, Sultan Owowabi; Jamie Roche, Kevin O’Connor.
Gallery of photos by Martin Connolly
Kappa Sportswear Clare Cup Round 2
Turnpike Rovers 4-2 Mountshannon Celtic
Goals from Sean Corry, David Smyth, Niall McMahon and Eoin O’Loughlin helped Turnpike Rovers come from 2-1 down to defeat Mountshannon Celtic in an entertaining game at Lees Road on Sunday.
Bunratty Cratloe 0-1 Kildysart Celtic
Kildysart Celtic advanced to the last 16 of the Clare Cup with a hard fought victory over Bunratty Cratloe at Bunratty on Sunday. It was cold and showery at kick off time and these conditions made good football difficult.
Both defences were on top in the early stages with Oige Murphy marshaling the home side and the McNelis/Eyres partnership dominant for the visitors. The two best chances in the first half both fell to John Ginnane for the visitors but on each occasion he shot narrowly wide and so it remained scoreless at the break.
Bunratty Cratloe had the advantage of the elements in the second half but it was the visitors who looked more likely to score. The breakthrough came on 65 minutes when a long Pat Coffey free was finished well by Jerry Finn. Kildysart pushed hard for a second and further chances fell to Hayes, Hill and Connelly but none were converted. However for the second game in a row Kildysart kept a clean sheet which meant one goal was enough to secure the victory.
Newmarket Celtic A 8-1 Corofin Harps A
Goals from Garry Higgins (3), Brian Monaghan (2), Seamus Lawlor, Eoin Hayes and Cathal Hayes gave holders Newmarket Celtic an easy win on the day.
Newmarket Celtic A: Rob Shier, David O’Grady, Mark Donlon, Steven Carroll, Brian Monaghan, Seamus Lawlor, Eoin O’Brien, Darren Cullinan, Eoin Hayes, Cathal Hayes. Subs: Tino Nzvaura for O’Brien, Daithi O’Connell for Monaghan, Ronan McCormack for Cathal Hayes, Stephen Kelly for Lawlor, Garry Higgins for Eoin Hayes
Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division
Bridge Utd A 2-3 Shannon Town A
Shannon Town went two goals up in the first half with goals from Evan Barry and David Cove. Bridge lost Darragh Fitzgerald to a red card but put in a great second half to level the match at 2-2 before Gary O’Connell scored an important winner for the Shannon side that puts them three points ahead of Newmarket Celtic at the top of the Premier Division.
Sporting Ennistymon A 2-3 Avenue Utd A
Avenue United clinched a huge win after their side took all three points in a windswept Lahinch on Sunday morning. Both sides were missing key players but that did not dampen the attacking nature of this encounter. The visitors welcomed back Paddy O’Malley after he returned from Limerick’s Pike Rovers and he baptised his return to Clare Premier Division football with a well executed goal. Colin Smyth’s cross fell to the on-rushing O’Malley and he arrowed his effort past the bystander, Conor Shannon.
Frustrated with conceding after 20 minutes on the clock, Sporting pegged their adversaries back. Cathal Mc Conigley was thwarted by Barry Ryan after he pushed away his header. Moments later, the former LOI keeper was collecting the ball out of his net. Killian Malone’s corner fell to the feet of Michael Leigh and he in return made no mistake with a cool finish from 10 yards out.
This was a game of high quality football sadly played in unpleasant conditions. Locked on 17 points before this fixture, obtaining three points would mathematically secure safety for either side for the 2017/18 season with five games to play. On the 40th minute the Ennis team regained the lead, O’Malley’s corner was headed home from six yards by the unmarked Eamon O’Reilly. Neither side could create a goal scoring opportunities after O’Reilly’s goal as the opening half drew to a close.
Whatever was said at half time, the home team dominated the third quarter. Sean Mc Conigley evaded several tackles but couldn’t find the target on more than one occasion. O’Brien introduced former Clare footballer Jack O’Dea in the hope of inspiration. Jamesy Mc Conigley missed a gilt-edged chances midway through the second half. Down the left hand side, Malone fizzed in a low cross but somehow the ball avoided Mc Congley’s boot. In the ascendancy, the Ennistymon men showed promise and were rewarded late on. On the 90th minute another Malone delivery caused danger in the Avenue penalty area, a ricochet on the ball found its way to Michael Leigh and he smashed the ball to the roof of the net.
Approaching borrowed time, Avenue stole in to grab a winner. Colin Smyth set up Mark Roche for him to fire home the visitors third on the 94th minute. Sporting tried to conjure up another opportunity but sadly for them couldn’t.
Sporting Ennistymon A: Conor Shannon, Patrick O’Dwyer, Michael Leigh, Sean Driscoll, Mark Burke; Killian Malone, Jamesy Mc Conigley, Michéal Duffy, Ciaran Monoghan, Sean Mc Conigley, Cathal Mc Conigley.
Subs: Joseph Gallagher for Ciaran Monghan, Jack O’Dea for Patrick O’Dwyer.
Avenue Utd A: Barry Ryan, Shaun Flanagan, Eamon O’Reilly, Ethan Cronin, Conor Mullen, Kaylan O’Loughlin, Colin Smyth, Paddy O’Malley, Mark Roche, Aaron Greene, Ronan Kerin
Subs: Ethan McNevin, Kieran Thynne, Gary Flynn
Referee: Shane Hayes
T Shiels & Company First Division
Hermitage 0-2 Newmarket Celtic B
Newmarket led 1-0 at the break with a goal scored by Gary Collins. Martin Mulqueen wrapped up the victory from the penalty spot late on to keep the visitors clear at the top of the First Division.
Newmarket Celtic B: Marty Whelan, Jamie Cronin, Conor Ryan, Eoin Kelly, John Hartnett, Kieran Crosby, Martin Mulqueen, Ryan Corry, Paudie Hayes, Ciaran McCoy, Gary Collins. Subs: Danny Conway for Hayes, Michael Crosby for Corry, Brandon Cullinan for Collins
Selprint Second Division
Ennis Town B 2-6 Rineanna Rvs
Ennis Town took an early lead when a free kick from the edge of the box found its way into the back of the net after 9 minutes. On 15 minutes Rineanna equalised when a cross from Colin Melody found Danny Sweeney who finished well. Rineanna were on top and were rewarded with another goal when a cross from Darren Lindsay found Niall George who finished well from close range on 24 minutes. Rineanna continued to dominate the game and made it 3-1 when Niall George got his second of the game from a ball drilled in from Darren Lindsay. Just on the stroke of half time Rineanna made it 4-1 from a Colin Melody cross which was headed home by Danny Sweeney. At half time it was Ennis Town 1-4 Rineanna Rovers.
As the second half got under way Ennis Town to their credit didn’t give up and put Rineanna under pressure and got rewarded with a penalty which was finished well on 55 minutes. The second half was a much more even affair but in the final 15 minutes Rineanna put the pressure on again and substitute Dion Khetan finished a fantastic solo effort to make it 5-2. On 85 minutes two of Rineanna’s substitutes combined to make it 6-2 when a great through ball from Mark Scullion was finished well once again by Dion Khetan. Good result for Rineanna Rovers that puts them three points behind leaders Connolly Celtic with 4 games left in the division.
Treacys West County Hotel Clare & District Soccer League Results
Sunday 5th February 2017
Munster Youths Cup ¼ Final
Avenue Utd 3-1 Aisling Annacotty A
Kappa Sportswear Clare Cup Round 1
Rhine Rvs 1-4 Connolly Celtic
Lifford A 4-0 Shannon Town C
Kappa Sportswear Clare Cup Round 2
Tulla Utd A 0-1 Bridge Utd B
Turnpike Rvs 4-2 Mountshannon Celtic
Manus Celtic 0-1 Ennis Town A
Bunratty Cratloe 0-1 Kildysart Celtic
Newmarket Celtic A 8-1 Corofin Harps A
Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division
Sporting Ennistymon 2-3 Avenue Utd
Bridge Utd 2-3 Shannon Town
T Shiels & Company First Division
Coole FC 1-2 Moher Celtic A
Kilrush Rangers 7-1 Kilkishen Celtic
Hermitage 0-2 Newmarket Celtic B
Selprint Second Division
Ennis Town B 2-6 Rineanna Rvs
Suttons Lighting Third Division
Lifford B 3-1 Moher Celtic B
Shannon Hibs 6-2 Shannon Olympic B
Saturday 4th February 2017
CDSL Youths League
Newmarket Celtic 3-1 Shannon Town
Wednesday 1st February 2017
Hugh Kelly Premier Division Cup
Shannon Olympic 0-1 Sporting Ennistymon
Treacys West County Hotel Clare & District Soccer League Fixtures
Wednesday 8th February 2017
Hugh Kelly Premier Division Cup
Frank Healy Pk, Doora
Avenue Utd v Tulla Utd 6:45pm
Shane Hayes
Note: In event of a draw 10 mins e/w extra time & penalties if necessary
Saturday 11th February 2017
Clare U17 Cup Round 1
Roslevan: Avenue Utd B v Coole FC 11am Julian Sandford
Note: In event of a draw 10 mins e/w extra time & penalties if necessary
Jim Casey Trophies U17 League
McDonagh Pk: Newmarket Celtic v Moher Celtic 2pm Trevor White
CDSL Youths League
Kilmihil: St Pats v Sporting Ennistymon 2pm Frank Coote
FAI Umbro U17 CUP Round 4 (Last 16)
Roslevan: Avenue Utd v Villa (Waterford) 2pm
Shane Hayes(referee) Martin OBrien, Niall Quinn
Note: In event of a draw 10 mins e/w extra time & penalties if necessary
Sunday 12th February 2018
FAI Inter League Youths Cup
Eamon Deacy Park: Galway v Clare 2pm
Note: In event of a draw 10 mins e/w extra time & penalties if necessary
Kappa Sportswear Clare Cup Round 1
Lees Road: Inch Crusaders v St Pats 11am Barry McCarry
Lahinch: Moher Celtic A v Sporting Ennistymon B 11am James Ferns
Kappa Sportswear Clare Cup Round 2
Lynch Pk: Shannon Town A v Connolly Celtic 10.30am Michael Rock
Olympic Pk: Shannon Olympic B v Kilrush Rangers 11am Martin OBrien
LIT: Bridge Utd A v Bridge Celtic 2pm Shane Hayes
Fairgreen: Hermitage v West Clare FC 11am Mark Rellis
McDonagh Pk: Newmarket Celtic B v Moher Celtic B 11am John Grier
Roslevan: Avenue Utd B v Shannon Olympic A 2pm Julian Sandford
Note: If home pitch unplayable match reverts to away teams pitch in all cup games.
Note: In event of a draw 10 mins e/w extra time & penalties if necessary in all cup games
T Shiels & Company First Division
College Pk: Kildysart Celtic v Coole FC 11am Terry Kennedy
Scariff: Mountshannon Celtic v Bridge Utd B 11am Flan Sheedy
Selprint Second Division
Cragg: Tulla Utd B v Ennis Town B 11am Brian Punch
Lees Road: Rhine Rvs v Rineanna Rvs 2pm Dylan Shannon
Suttons Lighting Third Division
Corrib Drive: Shannon Town B v Bunratty/Cratloe 11am Sean Kenneally
Wednesday 15th February 2017
Hugh Kelly Premier Division Cup
Frank Healy Pk, Doora
Bridge Utd v Shannon Town 6:45pm
Pa Gleeson
Note: In event of a draw 10 mins e/w extra time & penalties if necessary
Note: All results to be with Donal Kirby on 085-1765828 immediately after games otherwise a €40 fine will be incurred.