Group stage is completed with drama
LAST weekend’s final round of group games in the SIS Pitches Super League Cup and SIS Pitches Premier League Cup decided what teams progressed to the knockout stages of the main competitions and the Plate in each.
Unbeaten Carbury FC, who received a walkover win from their scheduled clash with Real Tubber, topped Group One of the SIS Pitches Super League Cup. Cartron United finished second in the group.
Arrow Harps, who were 2-0 winners over Ballisodare United, are into the SIS Pitches Super League Plate semi-finals along with Real Tubber.
Strand Celtic emerged as the best team in Group Two of the SIS Pitches Super League. They lost 2-1 at home to Manor Rangers last Friday night, this win only moved the Leitrim club level on points with the Strandhill-based outfit, who finished ahead on goal difference.
Matthew Conlon-Oates’ firsthalf goal gave Strand Celtic a 1-0 interval lead.
Also in that first-half that had chances for team captain Aaron O’Boyle, whose effort came off the upright, and Lee Wilson. A hamstring injury forced O’Boyle off after half an hour. The visitors dramatically turned things around within 10 minutes of the restart. Robbie Cunningham equalised with a header and Paul Logan’s freekick then put Manor Rangers 2-1 up.
Daniel Gray Harrigan twice had opportunities to bring Strand Celtic level – on both occasions he was thwarted by Manor Rangers goalkeeper Paul Scanlon.
The crossbar prevented Paul Logan from getting his second of the night as Manor Rangers held on despite late pressure from the home side, who forced half a dozen corners in the closing stages.
Also in Group Two, Aughanagh Celtic won 5-2 away to Merville United on Sunday last. Marcus Guckian (2), Evan Lyons, Diarmuid Higgins and Daniel Lyons scored for the visitors.
On target for an understrength Merville United were Thomas Myers and Ryan Downey.
The clash of MCR FC and Ballymote Celtic also produced seven goals and a similar scoreline, 5-2, with MCR the winners at Sean Fallon Park.
It was 3-2 at the break after an exciting first-half during which MCR led 3-1 at one stage.
Cian Kilcoyne’s ninth minute goal put Ballymote Celtic in front. MCR equalised within 10 minutes through Keith Gilmartin and were then ahead when Keith Nibbs netted. James Hannon’s own goal left Ballymote Celtic in jeopardy and trailing 3-1, but Cian Kilcoyne’s second goal before half-time promised a close second-half.
It was MCR who controlled matters, however, scoring twice more – Mamoud Mansaray and Jordan Harte with the goals. Calry Bohs took top spot – with a 100% record – in Group One of the SIS Pitches Premier League Cup.
They won 3-1 at home against Glenview Stars. All four goals came in the second-half. Calry Bohs went 3-0 ahead thanks to goals from Eoin Nicholson, Paddy Heraghty and Conor Stinchon.
Clive Brennan bagged a late consolation goal for Glenview Stars, who finished second in the group.
The only game played in Group Two of the SIS Pitches Premier League Cup was the game at Enniscrone’s Michael McGowan Park between Kilglass-Enniscrone United and St John’s FC.
One goal separated the sides – Ryan Healy’s finish after 20 minutes.
The hosts were denied throughout by St John’s goalkeeper Ciaran Doyle.
St John’s won Group Two, with Carrick Town in second.
SIS Pitches Super League Cup
CUP SEMI-FINALISTS: Carbury
FC, Cartron United, Strand Celtic, Manor Rangers
PLATE SEMI-FINALISTS: Real
Tubber, Arrow Harps, MCR FC, Ballymote Celtic
SIS Pitches Premier League Cup
CUP SEMI-FINALISTS: Calry Bohs, Glenview Stars, St John’s FC, Carrick Town
PLATE SEMI-FINALISTS: Dromahair FC, Benbulben FC, KilglassEnniscrone United, Ballygawley Celtic
STANDINGS
Carbury FC Cartron United Real Tubber
Arrow Harps Ballisodare United
Diff Pts +20 12 +8 7 -2 6 -7 3 -19 1
SIS PITCHES SUPER LEAGUE CUP: Group Two PWD L Diff Pts 5 4 0 1 +19 12 5 4 0 1 +13 12 5 4 0 1 +10 12 5 2 0 3 -11 6 5 1 0 4 -15 3 5 0 0 5 -16 0
Strand Celtic Manor Rangers MCR FC Ballymote Celtic Aughanagh Celtic Merville United
Calry Bohs Glenview Stars Dromahair FC Benbulben FC Gurteen Celtic
L 0 1 2 3 3
L 0 1 2 3 4
Diff +9 +5 +2 -4 -12
Pts 12 9 6 3 0
SIS PITCHES PREMIER LEAGUE CUP: Group Two P W D L Diff Pts 4 4 0 0 +8 12 4 3 0 1 +6 9 4 1 1 2 0 4 4 1 1 2 -2 4 4 0 0 4 -12 0
St John’s FC
Carrick Town Kilglass-Enniscrone Utd Ballygawley Celtic Coolaney United RESULTS
Played on Friday, July 9
P 4 4 4 4 4
P 4 4 4 4 4
W D 4 0 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 1
W D 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
GROUP TWO – ROUND FIVE: Strand Celtic 1, Manor Rangers 2
RESULTS
Played on Sunday, July 11
SIS Pitches Super League Cup
GROUP ONE – ROUND FIVE: Real Tubber 0, Carbury FC 3 (walkover win); Arrow Harps 2, Ballisodare United 0
GROUP TWO – ROUND FIVE: Merville United 2, Aughanagh Celtic 5; MCR FC 5, Ballymote Celtic 2
SIS Pitches Premier League Cup
FIXTURES
Friday, July 16
SIS Pitches Super League Cup
SEMI-FINAL: Strand Celtic v Cartron United (7.15pm)
FIXTURES
Saturday, July 17
SIS Pitches Super League Plate
SEMI-FINAL: Ballymote Celtic v Real Tubber (7.15pm)
SEMI-FINAL: Dromahair FC v Ballygawley Celtic (7.15pm)
FIXTURES
Sunday, July 18
SIS Pitches Super League Cup
SEMI-FINAL: Manor Rangers v Carbury FC (2.30pm)
SIS Pitches Super League Plate
SEMI-FINAL: MCR FC v Arrow Harps (11am)
SIS Pitches Premier League Cup
SEMI-FINALS: Calry Bohs v Carrick Town (11am); St John’s FC v Glenview Stars (2.30pm)