FAI JUNIOR CUP 6th Round

Nenagh Celtic 1-2 Mervue Utd (AET)

The club's Junior A team required extra time in their FAI Junior Cup game as they eventually overcame a well organised Nenagh Celtic 2-1 in a very tight sixth round game played in very wet conditions in Nenagh last Sunday afternoon. 

After a scoreless opening half the home side went in front ten minutes after the restart through a well struck free-kick from their no.9 Mark Walsh who curled his effort over the wall and into the corner on 55 minutes. Gareth Gorman and Noel McDonnell’s side didnt panic and continued to press forward as they deservedly threw level 13 minutes later. Barry Moran struck home a cracking free-kick into the top corner after he had been fouled on the left of the Nenagh penalty box, to tie up the game at 1-1 after 68 minutes,.

Barry Moran, Jason Molloy and Enda Curran all had efforts saved by the home keeper Damien Corcoran as Mervue pressed for winner, while Peter Healy pulled off a fine save from Mark Walsh at the other end, but with no further scores the game progressed to extra time. 

The all important winning goal arrived just before break in the opening period of extra time as Jason Molloy delivered the perfect ball from a corner on the left which was met by a powerful Eoin Concannon header to make it 2-1. The visitors defended well after that as Keith McHugh, Eric Browne and Tommy Walsh ensured Peter Healy's goal was well protected in that finally 10 minute period.

Mervue will now be hoping for a home draw in the seventh round last sixteen draw which takes place in Dublin this Friday afternoon (19th January). There is no rest for the Junior A team as they are back in action under lights in the third round of the Connacht Junior Cup as they host Roscommon League side, Ballymoe FC, on Friday night at Fahy's Field with kick-off at 8 pm.

Mervue Utd: Peter Healy, Aaron Finnerty (Gary Bailey), Tommy Walsh, Keith McHugh, Kevin Fitzpatrick (Eric Browne); Joe Hynes (Enda Curran), Emmett Shaw, Mark Griffin, Eoin Concannon; Simon Walsh (Jason Molloy), Barry Moran (Ciaran Foley).