Weekend soccer round-up

Bridge Utd A qualified for the semi-final after coming from behind in the second half to defeat Avenue Utd in a well contested match at Roslevan on Sunday.

Avenue started well but it was Bridge who had the first real chance of the match after 15 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for hand ball in the area.

Kieran Quinlan stepped up to take the penalty but his effort went wide of the target. Paul Tuohy made a good save before half time to deny Davy O’Halloran as the sides went in 0-0 at the break. Avenue went in front on 55 minutes when Mark Roche scored after taking advantage of a mistake at the back for Bridge.

Avenue were now on top but failed to add to their lead and on 70 minutes Bridge were awarded a second penalty when Terry Lenihan was taken down in the area.

Darragh Fitzgerald took the penalty and made no mistake to level the match. It was to get better for Bridge on 71 minutes when Lee Wall finished off a good delivery from a corner and the game was now turned on its head. Avenue tried hard in the closing stages to get back in the game but could not find another goal as Bridge held on for a place in the semi-final draw.

Avenue Utd A: Barry Ryan, David Herlihy, Shaun O’Flanagan, David Russell, Dylan Casey, Conor Mullen, Paddy O’Malley, Kaylan O’Loughlin, Colin Smyth, Davy O’Halloran, Mark Roche

Bridge Utd A: Paul Tuohy, Terry Lenihan, Darren Murphy, Alan Mulready, Chris Griffin, Darragh Fitzgerald, Kieran Quinlan, Derek Fahy, Conor Deasy, Johnny Okoro, Mike McNamara

Defending champions Newmarket Celtic A are through the semi-final after getting the better of Bridge Utd B in a tough battle where they were made to work hard for the victory at McDonagh Park on Sunday.

Ronan McCormack put Newmarket in front on 44 minutes after finishing off a shot from Stephen Kelly that was saved. Donald Devanney responded for Bridge on 45 minutes with a good finish from a corner. Eoin Hayes put Newmarket back in front on 80 minutes from the penalty spot and Cathal Hayes ensured a place for the holders in the semi-final draw with a goal in injury time.

Newmarket Celtic A: Niall Quinn, Seamie Lawlor, Steve Carroll, Paddy Purcell, Mark Donlon, Brian Monaghan, Ian Collins, Stephen Kelly, Tino Nzvaura, David McCarthy, Ronan McCormack

Subs: Eoin O’Brien for Collins, Eoin Hayes for Monaghan, Cathal Hayes for Nzvaura

Goals from Evan Barry, Gary O’Connell (2) and David Cove gave Shannon Town a good away victory over Shannon Olympic at Olympic Park on Sunday to ensure the Premier Division title race will go to the last game of the season when Shannon Town make the trip to McDonagh Park to face Newmarket Celtic on 14th April.

Goals from Martin O’Leary and Dean d’Auria gave Avenue Utd B an important victory in their battle for survival against promotion chasing Kilrush Rangers at Roslevan on Sunday.

Coole FC made the trip to the Fairgreen on Sunday and came away with a good victory over Hermitage that keeps them in the hunt for promotion to the Premier Division.

Coole went in front on 15 minutes when a good ball from Joe Copley found Dave Cahill in behind the defence and he ran through on goal before sliding a ball across for Kyle McCarthy to finish to the net. It remained 1-0 to the visitors at the break.

Hermitage drew level early in the second half but Coole were back in front after a long kick up field by Arek Mamala found McCarthy who turned his man well and found the corner of the net with a cracking shot from outside the box.

Hermitage lost their keeper to a red card after a foul on Dave Cahill and with the home side down to 10 men Coole seized their chance and McCarthy completed his hat-trick after a James Cosgrove ball found him in space and he finished well with a low left foot shot from 20 yards into the far corner.

Coole finished off the game near the end with a fourth after another good ball from Copley found Darragh Reilly in the box and he scored a great goal to wrap up the victory.

Coole FC: Arek Mamala, Gary Corless, Jake Farrell, Noele Glynn, Rafa Mamala, Dave Cahill, James Cosgrove, Fergus Tuohy, Joe Copley, Lucas, Kyle McCarthy

Subs: Eric O’Sullivan, Ayrton Quinn, Darragh Reilly.

Inch Crusaders made the trip to Liscannor on Sunday and came away with a good victory to advance to the quarter-final of the Third Division Cup. Inch deservedly took the lead on the half hour mark when Eamon Bracken volleyed home a great strike.

Moher responded before half time with a good finish from a free kick to make it 1-1 at the break. Inch scored a late winner when an Emmet Pynes header was stopped on the line but Killian Torpey slotted home the rebound to give Inch a place in the next round against Sporting Ennistymon B.

Inch Crusaders: Thiago Horatio, Eoghan Grace, Sean Talty, Emmet Pyne, Killian Torphy, Padraig Talty, Rory Killeen, Gareth Thompson, Edward Fogarty, Eamonn Bracken, Brenno Henrique

Subs: Leonard McGuane for Horatio (inj), James Rynne for Fogarty, Mark Connellan for Killeen, Enda McGuane for Henrique

Shannon Town B earned promotion to the Second Division with victory over Sporting Ennistymon at Mullagh on Sunday. Goals from Stephen Winters, Kevin Cahill, Kenneth Buckley, Ryan Hodge and Ciarán Mckee ensured Shannon Town second team would be playing Second Division football next season.

Goals from Jimmy Houlihan (2) and Gary Leahy (2) helped Shannon Hibs come from behind to get an important victory in the Third Division on Sunday.

Four goals from Patrick Twomey and a goal from Eddie Dunne gave Shannon Olympic a good victory over Corofin Harps at Olympic Park on Sunday.

Goals from Tomás Dineen, Charlie Linton, Gary Cusack and Natty Nyakujara gave Shannon Town C a good away victory at Bunratty on Sunday and made it three wins from three for the club on the day.