Roundup Week 22
This was a great weekend for football in the midlands with not one single game postponed due to the weather.
Tullamore Town Youths team continue their exploits in the FAI Youths Cup and are now through to the fifth round after
they accounted for Ardmore Rovers in Wicklow by six goals to one. McDaragh O’Neill and Dylan Melia grabbed two apiece, and Aaron Hensey and Terry Byrne
also scored to see them through to the business end of the competition.
In the top of the table under 18 division game Monksland United came out on top against a game Clongowes Wood side. Michael
O’Hanlon, Darragh Petit and Mark Hardiman were on the mark for Monksland who consolidated their position at the top winning 3-1. Mark Dwyer replied for the
Kildare based side.
There was also a top of the table game in the under 19 division. Here Edenderry Town moved into a strong position with a
well deserved 4-2 win away to Abbeyleix. Ryan Lynch and Lorcan Pender got among the goals for Edenderry while Ben Conroy replied with two penalty kicks for the
Abbeyleix lads.
Derry Rovers dream run in the LFA Junior Cup is over however. They lost out 4-1 to a very strong Corduff side, John Jones getting Rovers solitary goal.
There were several games played in the Counties Cup over the weekend. On Saturday Abbeyleix entertained Melville Celtic in a third round tie and they advanced to the last 16 with a comfortable enough 3-0 win. Stephen Hawkins and a double from Joe Bergin were enough to see the Laois side safely through.
Gallen United are also through to the last 16 following a solid 3-1 victory over a game Clonmore team. Ciaran Kenny with two and Liam Taylor fired in the goals to keep Gallen’s fine season well on track.
In a rearranged second round game Ballinahown eased into the third round where they will play Mostrim United again. They had too much for Milnore Rovers with Eoin Doody scoring twice and Gary Dunne adding a third ad they progressed on a 3-0 scoreline.
Mullingar Town B team progressed to the second round of the Saturday Cup thanks to a fine 3-1 win over Division 1 side Longford Celtic. A hat-trick from the prolific Lee Massey did the business for the Mullingar lads.
In the Senior Division there was only one game down for decision, but this was a big one. Willow Park continue to make strides towards another league title following a 4-2 win over local rivals St Peters. In an outstanding game of football Willow just had the edge. Robbie Shine scored a stunning hat-trick and Brian Cauldwell was on the mark yet again
for Willow.
In the Premier Division, Shinrone made their trip to Mullingar worthwhile when they came home with a well deserved point. JP Fitzpatrick scored the Shinrone goal in a 1-1 draw.
Stradbally Town made their Division 1 title aspirations clear on Sunday when they travelled to Temple Villa and emerged with a fine 2-0 win to take all three points and keep the pressure on at the top of the table. Goals from Damian Murphy and Derek Gorman secured the points for the Laois outfit.
In Division 2, a last minute free kick from Eoin Gleeson keeps Gracefield in the driving seat. They trailed Coolraine 2-0 at the interval, Patrick Gorman hitting two goals from the penalty spot. Robbie Knight replied with two for Gracefield also from penalty kicks in a lively encounter before Gleeson drove in the winner.
Ballybrittas moved off the bottom of the Division 2 table when they defeated Walsh Island 2-1 with the goals coming from Kyle Condron and Thomas Loughman.
In Division 4B Ray Gath scored both goals for Saint James as they defeated neighbours Eagles 2-0 in Five Alley, and Michael Foran had a four goal haul for Derry Rovers B as they defeated Kilcormac B 6-0. Mark Heavey and Brian Garrigan were also on the scoresheet for the Edenderry boys.
If you wish to have your teams result and goalscorers included in the roundup, please text the details to JP Owens at 083-3969447 immediately after the game.