James Two-Goal Hero As Tullamore Youths March On
Thursday, 19 January 2012
PRIDE of place in the CCFL last weekend must go to Tullamore Youths team who secured a place in the fourth round of the FAI Youths Cup where they will take on Wicklow side Ardmore Rovers.
On Saturday they put in a barnstorming finish to defeat fellow CCFL side Mullingar Athletic 3-0.
In fact the game was still scoreless as it entered the last five minutes, but two excellent strikes from Michael James and a third from Dylan Melia saw the Offaly lads through.
In under 17 action, Killavilla United remain unbeaten following a good victory away to Portlaoise, but Gracefield Athletic continue to set the pace after a narrow 2-1 win at home against fellow challengers Mullingar Athletic.
Jim Hendley and Stephen Hoolahan were on target for a Gracefield side that continues to improve as the season progresses.
Under 18 action saw Monksland maintain their advantage at the top of the table with a big win away to Rochfortbridge. Clongowes Wood however have not given up on their own aspirations.
They defeated Saint Kieran's 5-2 with the highlight of the game being a four-goal onslaught from Bidemi Afeladi. Daniel Giles chipped in with another goal for the college team.
Under 19 action saw Abbeyleix continue on their winning ways when they easily defeated fellow Laois side Mountmellick United. It finished 6-1 to Abbeyleix with Martin Cahill and Ben Conroy getting among the goals.
Athy Town gave their chances a lift with a narrow 1-0 win at home to Saint Aengus. Dylan Lee getting the only goal of the game.
Unquestionably the big game of the weekend however was the FAI Junior Cup 6th round tie where Willow Park hosted Tramore FC from Waterford.
The visitors took an early lead, but Willow fought back very bravely and equalised through Brian Cauldwell.
The sides could not be separated even after extra time and it was the Waterford men who squeezed through in the shootout to the anguish of the Willow Park players and supporters who were hoping to push all the way in this competition this season.
In the Paddy Cotter Cup, Gallen United earned a very good passage to the second round thanks to a 3-1 win away to CK United. Two goals from Sean Kenny and another from Liam Taylor saw the Ferbane men through.
Ballinahown secured a second round Division 1 Cup clash with Mostrim United after they accounted for Saint Peter's second team in Ballinahown. Goals from Eoin Doody and John Keenan had kept Ballinahown in the game against a competitive Peter's outfit, but Doody grabbed the winner for Ballinahown with a fine header just four minutes from time.
In the Division 3 Cup Melville Celtic enjoyed an extra time victory against fellow Saturday side Ballymahon. It finished 3-2 with Stephen Barr, Colin Payne and extra time hero Chris Connell getting the goals for the Athlone side.
In the same competition Gallen United B team scored a great 3-2 win away to Arlington seconds. Wesley Greer took all the plaudits with a superb hat-trick to make it a great day for the Ferbane club.
Another Athlone side to advance were Erricssons who came home from Granard on Saturday with another 3-2 victory over the local Spartak team. John Hanrahan, John McIntyre and Paul Heenahan did the business for Ericssons.
There were also several first round Division 4 Cup games played on Sunday. Without doubt the biggest of these saw Division 4A leaders Raheen FC entertain Division 4B leaders East End. In an eight-goal thriller it was the Tullamore men who prevailed 5-3 thanks to goals from James Harty, Mark Kelly, Pa Tyrrell and Eddie Keenehan to set up another mouth watering tie against Derry Rovers in the second round.
Saint Carthage's Athletic are also safely through to the second round following a 4-0 victory over Clonmore United B. Roy Malone, Barry Kelly and Packie Walsh with two saw Carthage's advance.
There was also some League action over the weekend.
In Division 2, bottom side Ballybrittas gained a valuable victory away to mid table Coolraine. It finished 4-1 with Johnny Greene, Eoin McGrath and Kyle Condron among the scorers for the Laois outfit.
Gracefield consolidated their position at the top however thanks to an excellent 2-0 victory away to Gentex thanks to goals from Eoin Gleeson and Leigh Bryan.
Division 4A action saw Abbeyleix Athletic second team score a satisfactory 2-0 success over CR Forest. Adrian Feeman was on target again with Under 19 star Ryan Peacock getting the second.
Monksland United B continued their good run of form in Division 4B when goals from Cathal Ryan, Alan Cormican and Paul McGowan ensured a sound 3-0 win over Saint James.
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