Gleeson grabs winner for Hibs
COURTOWN HIBS CORACH RAMBLERS
A PERFECTLY-WEIGHTED freekick from club legend Leighton Gleeson was the difference as home side Courtown Hibs advanced to the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup after a tight 2-1 win over south Wexford rivals Corach Ramblers in Sunday morning’s enjoyable tie played at a rather chilly Ounavarra Park.
With five points already separating fifth-placed Courtown from eight-placed Ramblers in the Premier Division table, all form-lines indicated that the hosts were in for a routine progression, but they didn’t have it entirely their own way against the plucky visitors.
Corach had made the long journey up from Carrig-On-Bannow with just 13 players in tow, but they certainly gave as good as they got up to half-time, by which stage things stood finely poised at a goal apiece.
Courtown elected to line out with the in vogue three at the back, and entrusted Colin O’Brien to provide the creativity from the right wing, with Glen Hughes utilising his trickery to good effect in the middle.
Ramblers plumped for a more traditional 4-4-2 formation, with hard-working centre-forward John Staples proving to be a real handful up top in an action-packed first-half.
It was slow to get going, though, with the first shot in anger arriving in the 14th minute when Stephen Redmond blasted over after some good footwork from Hughes.
Ramblers had the first genuine goalscoring chance two minutes later, as an off-balance Staples connected with Mick Walsh’s delivery and forced Jason Maguire into an excellent outstretched save.
Hibs responded with the most clearcut chance thus far on 21 minutes as Cathal Dunbar’s fizzed cross down the left was met by the onrushing O’Brien, but his shot was somehow cleared off the line.
The Corach defence was soon called into evasive action again to deny Jack O’Brien, but they stunned Hibs by taking the lead
Glen Hughes of Courtown Hibs is chased by RichieWalsh of Corach Ramblers during their FAI Junior Cup fourth round match on Sunday.
against the run of play on 32 minutes.
Tadhg Cahill found Alan Diskin, who in turn threaded through to Staples playing off the last man, and he coolly dispatched low to the corner of the net.
That lead lasted for less than two minutes however, as the ball fell kindly to Hughes at the edge of the box, and he found the corner via a deflection to restore balance.
Cahill’s header forced Maguire into a fingertip save, while Eugene O’Brien whistled inches passed the framework as both sides created openings before the break.
The crossfield wind stiffened on the resumption as Ramblers’ goalscorer forced an early save, but they largely resorted to hopeful punts up the field thereafter as they struggled to create anything more substantial.
Meanwhile, Hibs struck for that game-winning goal on 56 minutes when Gleeson curled around the wall after O’Brien was unceremoniously tripped outside the box.
They should have extended their lead further, only for Redmond’s towering header to ricochet off the crossbar, while another couple of half-chances came and went too.
And although they held firm for the win, they were made sweat on 77 minutes when Staples powerfully headed home, only for it to be correctly ruled out as he pushed a defender in the process of jumping.
Wexford Albion took top spot in Division 3A with a commanding 4-0 win away to Rosbercon on Sunday.
Kyle Mann, Jay Daly, Jay Leniston and Sam O’Neill got the goals for the Wexford town side as they continued their good run of form.
Raheen were held at home by fellow high-flyers Ballymurn, with Daire Bolger firing the hosts ahead from the penalty spot and Josh Whitehead equalising with a header.
Rathnure saw off Rosslare Rangers 2-0 thanks to an own goal and a Shane Lawlor strike, while Oylegate United beat Shelburne by the same scoreline, with Eunan Sludds and Pa Cullen hitting the back of the net.
Gary Sutton grabbed a hattrick for Bridge Rovers as they won 4-0 in Fethard, with Niall Tobin getting their other goal.
New Ross Celtic also picked up three points, with Richard Hennessy, Donagh O’Connor and David O’Connor (two) getting their goals as they chalked up a 4-2 away win over Rosslare Strand. Gary Collins and Conor Clancy hit the back of the net for the seasiders.
It was business as usual for leaders Glynn Barntown on Sunday as they racked up a 5-0 win away to Taghmon United.
Seán Carmody opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick from 35 yards out, and Shane Wilde made it 2-0 with a strike from just outside the box.
Barry Doyle then grabbed their third before the break, when he latched on to a breaking ball in the penalty area and fired home.
The visitors continued to press after the interval and Rioghan Crosbie converted a penalty before John Leacy finished off the scoring with a lovely strike from 25 yards.
Second-placed Cloughbawn suffered a setback when they were beaten 1-0 by Wexford Albion, with Ciarán Carty grabbing the only goal of the game.
An Alan Myler goal was enough for Campile to pick up the points against Enniscorthy United, while Tony Ryan (penalty), Ian Devlin, David ‘Bomber’ Kennedy, Shane Grannell and Higor Garacez were on target for Boolavogue as they beat St. Joseph’s 5-1.
Jake Cassidy helped himself to a hat-trick for Gorey Celtic in their 7-1 win over Wexford Celtic, with Ger Carey, Jakub Konkel, Jordan Davies and Maxi Denisiuk getting their other goals.
Kiltealy moved to the top of the Division 5 thanks to a 5-2 win over Enniscorthy Town in their top of the table clash on Sunday.
St. Leonards hit Cushinstown for six without reply, with Conor Tighe (two), Seamie Kehoe (two), Eamonn Whitty and Aaron Murphy scoring.
Brian Cosgrave got the goal for Killenagh Wanderers as they drew 1-1 with Adamstown, with Kevin Delaney replying.
Bree United edged a ninegoal thriller with St. Cormac’s, with Dylan Dalton (two), Peter Kelly, Darragh Byrne and Kevin Ring getting their goals, while Dawid Ruszczycki scored for New Ross Town and Paul Carton replied for Camolin as they drew 1-1.
Elsewhere, Rosslare Port proved too good for Stoney Rovers, winning 6-1 with goals from Darragh Bottomley (two), Darragh May, Ciarán Kehoe, Mark Flood and John Winters.