More drama in two cup competitions
CARTRON United, this season’s runners-up in the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League, have moved a step closer to potential success in The Glasshouse Hotel Cup.
They are through to the competition’s semi-final following last Saturday evening’s quarter-final defeat of Ballymote Celtic – on penalties – at Brother Walfrid Park.
It finished 2-2 after normal time and extratime. Jack Hever netted twice for the hosts and he missed two other glorious chances that, if taken, could have put Ballymote in a far more comfortable position. Donal Gallagher scored a brace for the visitors and the second of these goals made it 2-2.
In the shoot-out, Cartron won 6-5 – Billy Brennan scored the decisive spot-kick for Cartron, who will take on Manor Rangers in this Sunday’s semi-final at MacSharry Park (kick-off 11am).
Also in The Glasshouse Hotel Cup, Cliffoney Celtic received a walkover from Arrow Harps and are at home for Sunday’s quarter-final against Super League champions Carbury FC (11am start).
MCR FC needed penalties to overcome their Sligo town rivals Merville United in last Sunday’s quarter-final.
This fixture in The Glasshouse Hotel Cup ended level at Sean Fallon Park – four goals apiece after normal time and extra-time. Jordan Harte scored a hat-trick for MCR and his third goal, a late goal in normal time which levelled matters at 4-4, brought this pulsating contest into extra-time. Also scoring for MCR was Ciaran Harvey.
On target for Merville, who led 3-0 inside the first 30 minutes, were Thomas Myers, Ryan Hargadon, who scored twice, and Colm Cox. The reward for MCR, who won 4-2 on penalties, is a home semi-final next Wednesday evening next, May 11, against either Cliffoney Celtic or Carbury FC.
Meanwhile, in the Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup, St John’s FC were 5-4 winners over Calry Bohs in a quarter-final played at MacSharry Park’s astroturf pitch on Saturday night. Premier League champions Calry Bohs were leading 4-1 – and had one foot in the semi-final – following goals from Eoin Nicholson (2), Aaron Flynn and Daire O’Boyle. The only response from St John’s during Calry’s dominant phase was a goal by Lucas Sosa.
Conor Brennan emerged as the super sub for St John’s – he scored four goals in the last 20 minutes to earn his side a semi-final against Carrick Town this Sunday at MacSharry Park (2pm).
Benbulben FC are also through to the semi-finals – they were 2-0 winners over Gurteen Celtic.
In the last four, Benbulben will play Ballygawley Celtic this coming Saturday (MacSharry Park, 7m).
BIT O’SUPPORT: A selection of the Rovers fans at The Showgrounds last Friday night for the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game between Rovers and Shams.
RESULTS
Played on Saturday, April 30
The Glasshouse Hotel Cup
QUARTER-FINAL: Ballymote Celtic 2, Cartron United 2 AET (Cartron won 6-5 on penalties) Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup
QUARTER-FINAL: St John’s FC 5, Calry Bohs 4
RESULTS
Played on Sunday, May 1
The Glasshouse Hotel Cup
FIRST ROUND: Cliffoney Celtic walkover Arrow Harps
The Glasshouse Hotel Cup
QUARTER-FINAL: MCR FC 4, Merville United 4
AET (MCR won 4-2 on penalties)
Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup
QUARTER-FINAL: Benbulben FC 2, Gurteen Celtic 0
FIXTURES
Saturday, May 7
Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup
SEMI-FINAL: Benbulben FC v Ballygawley Celtic (MacSharry Park, 7pm)
Sunday, May 8
The Glasshouse Hotel Cup
QUARTER-FINAL: Cliffoney Celtic v Carbury FC (11am) SEMI-FINAL: Cartron United v Manor
Rangers (MacSharry Park, 11am)
Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup
SEMI-FINAL: St John’s FC v Carrick
Town (MacSharry Park, 2pm)
Wednesday, May 11
The Glasshouse Hotel Cup SEMI-FINAL: MCR FC v Cliffoney Celtic or Carbury FC (7pm)