The round of the last 16 took place in the Ulster Junior Cup this weekend and here’s how things went:
Keadue Rovers 2-1 Illies Celtic
Keadue Rovers went through to the last eight of the Ulster Junior Cup following this battling victory over Illies Celtic on a good day for football at Central Park.
The visiting team were the better for the opening seven or eight minutes, moving the ball about well and putting some decent crosses into the box. Keadue came more into the game after ten minutes, moving the ball around better and from the first real chance of the game, went ahead, when after a good run down the right wing by Jack Boyle, his pass made its way to Aidan McHugh who controlled it well and stroked it low to the keeper’s right and into the bottom corner to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Illies though were nearly level four minutes later only for the alertness of Keadue keeper Danny Rodgers who made a last ditch save. Keadue had a decent spell before the half hour, working some good situations and Luke Neely had an effort saved by the keeper. As the game became more stretched in the last fifteen minutes of the half, Illies were the team on top and gained a lot more possession down the right-hand side. On forty minutes they ought to have been level when a cross was cleared at the far post by Jack Boyle.
From there they had several corners before half time but just couldn’t capitalise on them despite being the better team. At the start of the second half Jack Doherty came on for Aidan Mc Hugh and Keadue’s pressing game led to a shot from David Ward a minute into the second half.
It got a bit scrappy then which seemed to suit the home side who were using long effective balls up front and on sixty minutes Shaun Yank Boyle got through but his shot was saved and from the follow-up Luke Neely hit the post. On sixty-three minutes Illies were level when following the break-up of a Keadue attack they went forward in numbers and after an initial shot was well saved by Danny Rodgers the Illies full-back Frankie O’Connor tapped in the rebound. On sixty-seven minutes David Ward’s shot was parried by the keeper and then cleared off the line but it was Illies who were having much the better of possession.
They had a shot blocked on seventy minutes and were looking the likely winners. The home side managed to battle their way back into things and the very impressive Shaun Yank Boyle was to the fore causing Illies problems with his unselfish work down the wings. He was close to giving Keadue the lead on eighty minutes from a Christy Greene cross but Johnny Noone in the Illies nets saved bravely. Keadue kept the pressure on and on eighty-three minutes, from a corner, there was a bit of a goalmouth scramble until Barry Curran fired home from a few yards out.
The home side were impressive in the final ten minutes, not allowing Illies much in the way of chances, with some good defending. In injury time the visitors had a number of crosses and set pieces but Keadue stood firm to advance in the Cup after a deserved victory. Best for Illies were Shane Doherty, Johnny Noone and Michael Coyle, while best for Keadue were Shaun Yank Boyle, Jack Boyle, Barry Curran and Calum Boyle. Referee: Liam Mc Conigley.
Sunday 24th November 2019
Ulster Junior Cup
Lifford Celtic 1-2 Cavan Town
Lifford welcomed the runaway leaders of the Cavan Monaghan Premier Division to the Greenbrae for this Ulster Cup tie. Cavan started brightest, keeping possession without troubling Lee White in the Lifford goal. Lifford created their first chance around 20 minutes when Niall Coyle forced the Cavan keeper into a smart save.
From the following corner-kick Cavan broke and took the lead through Kieran Brady following a defensive mix-up. Lifford responded brightly and had numerous chances to level the game, Brian Breslin hitting the post and Kevin Lynch finding the crossbar. Lifford started best in the second half keeping Cavan in their own half for long periods without creating any clear-cut chances.
Lifford got their rewards after around 70 minutes when Mc Brearty released Coyle down the right wing who squared for Brian Breslin to tap home. Cavan regained their advantage following a quick break down the right-wing on 80 minutes, Packie Shorton finishing at the near post. Lifford pushed for an equaliser that never came. Team performances from both sides.
Ballybofey United 0-5 Castlefin Celtic
Division One side Ballybofey United succumbed to Premier Division opposition when Castlefin Celtic visited Dreenan on Sunday. If there is one positive that the home side can take from this match it is the fact that their interest in the major Cups is over for this season and they can now concentrate fully on their Division One League campaign. For Castlefin Celtic they can look forward to the draw for the next Round of the Ulster Junior Cup. Once they got in front they never looked like been hauled back and in the end the scoreline says it all.
Drumkeen United 0-2 Kildrum Tigers
Kildrum were the visitors to St. Patrick’s Park on Sunday afternoon for this Ulster Junior Cup tie. As expected the game was a tight affair with very little between the teams.
There were very few clear-cut chances and the home team probably had the best of them but it was Kildrum who broke the deadlock when Kevin McHugh put them ahead with 10 minutes to go. It was probably the only real chance he had but the former Finn Harps man showed his class and experience as he finished well . One goal was probably going to be enough to win a game like this but Kildrum added a second near the end.
Kevin McHugh was fouled and he was awarded a penalty which he duly converted himself to wrap up the game in the dying minutes. These two will meet again in the League and the home team will be encouraged by their display against one of the more established Premier Division teams.
Aileach F.C. 5-0 Milford United
(No Report Available)
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3-4 Buncrana Hearts
Kilmacrennan flew out of the blocks as Chris Dillon headed home a corner on 5 minutes. He then doubled the lead on 15. Buncrana scored two quick goals on 35 and 40 minutes through Decky Fullerton. Buncrana started the second half the way they ended the first with two goals in as many minutes through Mickey Friel Gerard Boyle. Daire Mc Daid got one back in the 80th minute but that was it and Buncrana progress.
Greencastle F.C. 3-0 Donegal Town
(No Report Available)
Cockhill Celtic 8-4 Convoy Arsenal
(No Report Available)
Ulster Junior Shield
Ulster Junior Shield
Glenea United Reserves 1-1 Dunlewey Celtic
 (Glenea won on penalties)
Glenea Reserves qualified for the next round of the Ulster Junior Shield with this hard fought victory over Dunlewey in this Gaeltacht derby.
In the first-half both sides pressed hard, not allowing the other team to settle. This resulted in chances being at a premium with neither keeper under pressure.
Glenea took the lead on 30 minutes when Gerry Maguire scored. The home side pushed to double their lead and were unfortunate not to score again when Luke Mc Carry saw his effort ruled out for offside. In the second-half the game followed the same pattern as the first with neither side able to dominate.
However the game changed on 65 minutes when Dunlewey were awarded a penalty after a handball on the goal line. Shaun Mc Garvey converted the resultant penalty and with Glenea down to the men Dunlewey began to get control in the middle but the Glenea defence marshalled by Seaghan Ferry and Finn Mc Ginley held firm. Glenea tried to play on the break and Eamonn McHugh saw his effort well saved by Christopher Sweeney.
Shaun Mc Garvey, from a free-kick, then forced a good save from Shaun Mc Clafferty. At the death both sides has chances to take the win but failed to convert. The game went to extra-time but neither team could create a clear cut chance and the game went to penalties with the home side coming out on top.
Best for Glenea were Seaghan Ferry, Finn McGinley and Eamonn McHugh while Keith Sweeney and Daniel Cannon were best for Dunlewey. Referee: Mick Lagan.
Glengad F.C. 3-0 Arranmore United
(No Report available)
Quigleys Point Swifts 1 v 0 Lagan Harps
(No Report Available)
Results
Sunday 24th November 2019
Ulster Junior Cup
Lifford Celtic 1 v 2 Cavan Town
Ballybofey United 0 v 5 Castlefin Celtic
Drumkeen United 0 v 2 Kildrum Tigers
Aileach F.C. 5 v 0 Milford United
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 v 4 Buncrana Hearts
Greencastle F.C. 3 v 0 Donegal Town
Cockhill Celtic 8 v 4 Convoy Arsenal
Keadue Rovers 2 v 1 Illies Celtic
Ulster Junior Shield
Glengad F.C. 3 v 0 Arranmore United
Quigleys Point Swifts 1 v 0 Lagan Harps
