Sky Blues secure place in final four

United face St. Michael’s in semi-final

FAI Junior Cup

North End United set up an FAI Junior Cup semi-final date with St. Michael’s of Tipperary after they comfortably overcame Ayrfield United in their last eight tie at Ayrfield Community Centre on Sunday.

The Sky Blues were in full control at half-time, as they held a 3-0 advantage thanks to a Ja- son Murphy double and a Shane Dempsey strike.

The hosts tried hard to find a way back into the game after the interval, but found the North End defence in no mood to be breached.

John Godkin’s men began the game brightly and got their noses in front with a quarter of an hour on the clock. Robin Dempsey saw his effort on goal saved by the netminder, but Jason Murphy showed his predatory instincts to fire the follow-up to the net.

Shane Dempsey doubled their advantage on 26 minutes when he curled a 30-yard free-kick beyond the goalkeeper.

It got even better for North End before the break, when Jason Murphy headed in a corner at the back post.

Ayrfield tried manfully to force their way back into the game after the change of ends, but came up against a brick wall, with Gary Delaney, Decky Downes, Warren Broaders and Dale Flynn impenetrable in the North End United defence.

The Wexford champions are back on the road again in the semi-final, when they face St. Michael’s of Tipperary on Saturday, April 7.