OVER-35 SOCCER
THE QUARTER-FINALS of the Richie Dwyer Memorial Over-35 cup took place last week, and first through were last year’s winners, Taghmon United, as they easily progressed advanced against All Blacks on Wednesday.
Goals from Micheál O’Grady, Jason McLoughlin and Joey Sinnott saw them ease through to the semis where they will be looking to defend their crown.
The second quarter-final, on Friday, saw the impressive Shamrock Rovers take on Rosslare Rangers. This was expected to be a tight affair following their recent league encounter which finished 1-1, but that wasn’t the case at all as Rovers were full value for their semi-final place as they put five past Rosslare and cruised through.
Goals from Mossy Mahon (two), Brian Balfe, Peter Marsden and Colin Sheehan saw them overcome the visitors 5-1, and Rangers will now divert to the shield.
The third game saw Duncannon travel to Ross Celtic. Celtic were looking to avenge the earlier defeat in the league when a last-minute goal gave Duncannon the three points a few weeks ago.
Duncannon were quickest out of the blocks and Keith Donnelly gave the visitors the lead after only six minutes.
Celtic equalised when Damien Cullen finished well to the bottom corner following a good advantage from the referee, and the game finished 1-1 after the 70 minutes.
Extra-time started and, four minutes in, Johnny Kinsella got on the end of a punched clearance by T.J. Kielthy and his left-foot volley flew into the net and it proved to be the winner - 2-1 to Duncannon and déja vu.
The final cup game of the weekend saw Campile at home to Corach Ramblers, with a large crowd in attendance for this much-anticipated encounter between two teams who have been neck and neck in Group A of the league.
Following a recent 1-1 draw in their league game, this was fancied to be the pick of the quarter-final ties. An Alan Myler goal on 28 minutes of the first-half and a second from Tommy Quinn four minutes after the break saw Campile safely through to the semi-finals, where last year’s beaten finalists will be hoping to go one better.
The draws for the semi-finals and the shield quarter-finals will take place this week, and will be announced on the website (www.theover35s.com), and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ theover35s) and Twitter (@theover35s), so check them out later this week.
Cup quarter-finals: Taghmon United 3, All Blacks 0; Shamrock Rovers 5, Rosslare Rangers 1; Ross Celtic 1, Duncannon 2; Campile United 2, Corach Ramblers 0.
Fixtures - Group A (June 22, 7.30 p.m.): Taghmon United v. Duncannon; St. Leonards v. Corach Ramblers (Saturday, June 23); Ross Celtic v. Campile United.
Group B (June 22, 7.30 p.m.): Fastnet Rovers v. Rosslare Rangers; All Blacks v. Kilmore United; Forth Celtic v. Shamrock Rovers (Tuesday, June 19).