Salthill Devon and Ballinasloe Town both booked their place in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday, but in very different ways. Salthill were impressive 6-2 winners at home to Mervue United in Drom, with Mikey Fox scoring a stunning first half hat-trick for the winners along with second half goals from Alberto Cabanyes and Darren Creaven. The Mervue goals came from Jason Molloy and Shane Keogh. After the game, Mike Rafferty spoke to Salthill Devon manager Victor Collins...
Meanwhile in Ballinasloe, Gary Egan put the home ahead on 2 minutes but Nathan Reilly Doyle equalised for Ballyheane just before half time to make it 1-1. There were no further goals, so it was on to penalties where Ballinasloe prevailed 8-7 amidst a good deal of controversy. Ballyheane were celebrating during the shootout when Ballinasloe missed to seemingly give the Mayo side victory, but the officials adjudged the keeper to have left his goal-line early. Ballinasloe took advantage of their reprieve to eventually win 8-7.
There was no luck for Athenry FC on Saturday in their 5th round tie in the FAI Junior Cup. Despite going ahead courtesy of a first half own goal, Athenry were pegged back by Limerick side Regional United with a penalty midway through the second half. The score remained at 1-1 until after extra time so it was on to penalties, where Regional won out 5-4.
Elsewhere, Boyle Celtic from Roscommon were beaten 3-1 away to Waterford side Villa FC, Westport United lost 5-2 at home to Peake Villa from Thurles, St. Michael’s from Tipperary Town recorded a 2-0 win at home to Aungier Celtic, Fairview Rangers from Limerick won 1-0 at home to Clonmel Town, Tolka Rovers won 3-1 away to Cork side Grattan United, while another Dublin side Oliver Bond FC were 1-0 winners after extra time against Carbury FC from Sligo. Clare side Avenue United were victorious in Drimnagh where they beat Yellowstone 2-0 to progress to the last 16, while Ennis Town also travelled to Dublin to face Ballymun but were beaten 2-0. Wexford side North End United were 2-0 winners at home to Booth Road Celtic from Dublin, Limerick side Pike Rovers won 3-0 away to Athy Town, Freebooters from Kilkenny were 4-0 winners at home to Cobh Wanderers and Crumlin United won 3-0 away to Moyne Rangers in Wexford. Coachford v Hibernian FC in Waterford was postponed because of the weather.
