Fane heroes brought down to earth

MUIRHEVNAMOR can add to their record string of triumphs in the Clancy Cup with another history making final in prospect against their stablemates Muirhevnamor Celtic, after shock exits for the holders and champions Shamrocks and Redeemer Celtic.

Muirhevnamor booked their place in the decider with a runaway 8-1 win on Monday night against Fane, and await the winners of tonight’s (Tuesday) other semi-final between Quay and giant-killers Muirhevnamor Celtic.

A Celtic win would set up a repeat of their meeting in last year’s McConville Cup Final with Muirhevnamor, which was the first time two clubs from the same club met at that stage in the main knockout competition.

Redeemer share leader- ship of the league table with Muirhevnamor, and were on the wrong end of an extraordinary reversal of a league result the previous week. They succumbed 6-3 on their home ground to Muirhevnamor at Gorman Park on Thursday night after beating them 7-2 at the same venue nine days beforehand when admittedly the visitors only had 10 players and finished with nine.

But the biggest shock of the season was caused by bottom team Fane who sent Shamrocks tumbling out of the competition, defeating the holders 5-4 on penalties after the sides finished three all.

Shamrocks’ form has been anything but impressive since May, with one win in seven fixtures and receiving a walkover in another.

However, they slammed Fane by 7-2 when the teams played in May. Also Fane had managed just one win in 10 league games prior to the quarter-final tie on Wednesday night.

Sean Bailey, Dave Culligan and, Andy McDermott netted for Fane, while Jimmy Cooney after a long lay-off through injury scored twice and Jordan Gartland notched Shamrocks other goal.

The champions surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead and ended up needing a last gasp goal to salvage a draw.

The invidious prize for Fane was a semi-final against league leaders and the most prolific winners of the competition, Muirhevnamor, and they were quickly brought down to earth, with the favourites ramming in eight goals to book their place in the final.

Billy Smith, Brendan Hughes and Brian Begley each nabbed two goals apiece, while Adrian Rafferty and Darren Meehan helped themselves to one each. Fane gained the merest of consolation with an og.

Muirhevnamor, in their quarter-final, easily accounted for Rampart Celtic, with Billy Smith banging in four goals and Brendan Hughes was on target. Saheed Ogunfuwora grabbed a consolation goal for Rampart.