Leinster Football Association Junior Cup (Quarter Final)
Clonmullion FC 1 Roc Celtic FC 2
A very windy Graiguecullen was the venue for the quarter finals of the LFA Junior Cup. Clonmullion earned their quarter final place in this prestigious competition, which is the older cup competition in the country, by virtue of an impressive qualifying campaign which began last September. They were victorious over Drumcondra FC, Newlane FC, Ferns United, Rosslare Range and Old County FC en route to earned their spot. Clonmullion were quickly on the attack and when Cody Mulhall was fouled thirty yards from goals Garry Comerford took a quick free kick to Nathan Robinson who squared to Mulhall but he lifted his effort over the bar. Five minutes later Keane Cully won the ball in the heart of the defence and passed to Comerford who picked out Lee Doyle but he also fired over the bar. The visitors were struggling to get a foot hold in the game and eventually a long punt up field from their keeper fell to the centre forward whose cross come shot cannoned off the post and out to safety. Clonmullion continued to dominate, and Mark Hughes picked out Robinson who quickly laid off to Mulhall who beat the full back and crossed to Jody Dillon but the centre half interception just in time to avert the danger. The impressive Gary Comerford was dominating the middle of the park for The Mull and when he blocked down an attempted clearance by the left full he squared to Dillon who looked certain to score but the centre half recovered just in time to deflect the ball just wide.
With ten minutes remaining in the first half Chris Chanders was fouled thirty yards out from goals and Robinson and Mulhall stood over the ball for what looked like a set piece suited for the right footed Robinson. But Mulhall ran up and fired an unbelievable free kick into the top corner of the net to give his side a richly deserved lead. Five minutes later he almost repeated the same thing after a foul on Jay Connell who was causing havoc down the right. However with a minute remaining in the first half Roc broke out of defence and Jamie Maher picked out Darren King who squared to George Farrell to level things up totally against the run of play.
The second half started in the same way with Clonmullion having the majority of possession even against a gale force wind. Another Robinson corner was headed clear but fell to him to put back into the mix and Connell headed just wide. Soon after another corner from the opposite side by Comerford fell to Cody Mulhall who headed over from close range. On the sixth minute a Comerford free kick was flicked on by Hughes to Mulhall but Roc keeper Sean Power was equal to the effort. Hughes again stepped out from the back and played a neat one two with Mulhall before chipping a great ball over the defence to Comerford who didn't quite connect and the Power saved. With fifteen minutes remaining in a rare break out by Roc they were awarded a corner. From the resulting set piece, the ball floated over everyone and fell to the Shane Donoghue unmarked at the back post who headed home to put his side 2-1 up. Clonmullion threw everything at Roc for the final fifteen minutes but just couldn't make the break through. They were left to rue a host of missed chances and tried right up to the final whistle and despite completely dominating the game just couldn't break down a resolute Roc defence.
Noel Recruitment Premier Division
Ballycane Celtic FC 1 Naas United FC 3
Naas United travelled to Clane Astro on a fine Sunday morning for football, to play a Ballycane side who were looking to bounce back after an opening weekend defeat to Kildare Town.
Ballycane threatened first with a long range effort from Keelan Noone but he was unlucky to see his effort wide of the upright. Naas had a few early half chances where Gavin Kelly and Dan Downey came close . Ballycane came into the game from there on and created a few half chances but the Naas Utd back line of John Murphy, Dan Cullenton, Craig Murray, Robbie Garvey and Jay Maher weren't giving much away .
The game dropped into a bit of end to end from there without many chances until
Naas began to control the ball with Calvin McCoy getting on top, but Naas lost McCoy to injury, Dara Kavanagh starting to create some real chances. Naas took the lead soon after after with a rocket of a shot from Gavin Kelly with 15 minutes to go in the half. Ballycane nearly drew level when Padraig Coady was played through by Thiago Alves got a one v one with the Naas keeper which he saved well, Ballycane did equalise soon after when Mick Doheny played the ball wide to Adam Phelan who hit a first time ball across the Naas six yard box for Harry Walsh to head home for 1-1 at half time
Ballycane started the second half a much the better side and created two good chances from Padraig Coady and Thiago Alves only to see their efforts well saved by the Naas goal Keeper. Naas upped the ante from there and some great play by Bernard Redmond making his Naas United debut and good play by Gavin Kelly had the ball out wide and hit it towards goal and it found it’s way directly to the net to put Naas 2-1 up. Naas created a few more chances from there with Darragh O’Connor going close and Dan Downey hitting the post but the final nail in the coffin came for Ballycane when Lee Freeman found himself free in the box to make it 3-1 Naas. Naas continued to push on with Eoin French after some great play by Tristan Iveagh and Kevin Reilly going close for Naas. Naas ran out 3-1 winners to start their campaign with a well earned three points. Best for the winners on the day were Bernard Redmond, Dara Kavanagh and John Murphy but man of the match goes to Gavin Kelly with 2 goals and an assist. Best for Ballycane Celtic today were Padraig Coady, Simon Bak, Thiago Alves, Keelan Noone and Daire Kelleghan.