Carbury through to Connaught final
CARBURY are through to the Connaught final thanks to an emphatic victory over Castlebar Celtic on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Christopher Kelly and Ibrahim Savage saw the Sligo men through to the final for the first time since 2007.
The hosts were well on top for the opening stages, and could well have gone ahead early doors, but for an excellent stop from Mark Rooney.
The visitors improved in the second-half and came close to opening the scoring when Christopher Kelly’s shot was blocked, before former Sligo Rovers man Liam Flatley showed great skill to leave the Carbury defence for dead, but again Mark Rooney was on hand to keep Castlebar at bay.
Carbury took the lead when Ibrahim Savage’s free-kick was nodded goalwards by Christopher Kelly.
The pair linked up again to double Carbury’s lead when Savage got on the end of Kelly’s ball, beating the keeper.
They will face the winners of St. Peter’s versus Mervue, which takes place this weekend.
Meanwhile. Real Tubber just failed to make it a double bill going down by three goals to one away to Kilkerrin United.
Elsewhere, Cup Fever was on the cards for this weekend The Super League clubs competing in the Glasshouse Hotel Cup.
Leitrim Kingpins Manor Rangers journeyed to Ballisodare in this first round clash with the Boys from Ballisodare emerging victorious by the odd in three in what was by all accounts a cracker of a game.
Both sides were evenly locked in battle till two minutes from half time when Ballisodare were awarded a penalty. Darragh Healy stepped up to take the spot kick which he dispatched with aplomb to fire Ballisodare ahead. Early in the second half and it was two nil to Ballisodare when ace striker Andrew Patton netted. Manor Rangers never gave up and were rewarded twenty minutes from time with a superb goal from Shane Walsh that opened up the game with Manor in the hunt for the equaliser and the Ballisodare Boys rock solid in defence to gain a quarter final spot away to Arrow Harps
Aughanagh Celtic welcomed Strand Celtic to Ballinafad for their quarter-final clash in the Glasshouse Hotel Cup and what a game it proved to be. Lee Marshall and Mark McCallion gave Strand Celtic a two-goal lead and Aughanagh looked dead and buried. But the fighting spirit of the Aughanagh Boys shone through with Thomas Cryan and Dermot Beggan each scoring a goal apiece that brought the game into extra time and eventually the dreaded penalty shoot-out. But this proved even more exciting then the game with the sides taking twelve penalties each and hero of the day was Strand Celtic goal keeper young Cian Basquille who saved five penalties’ and scored one that eventually seen Strand Celtic earn a Semi Final place at home to Ballymote Celtic.
Calry Bohs journeyed to Brother Walfrid for their clash with Ballymote Celtic in the quarter-finals. Jack Hever opened the scoring on ten minutes for Ballymote Celtic with the talented Paul Logan levelling for Calry Bohs on 30 minutes to leave the sides level at the break. Sixteen minutes into the second half and the hitman Mark Irwin pushed Ballymote Celtic into the lead and ten minutes from time Colm Duffy made it safe with a third goal for the home side. Calry Bohs continued to battle and were rewarded when the big man Conor Griffin netted at the death but it was Ballymote who advance with a fine victory.
The Frank Kennedy Memorial Cup threw up some massive encounters, none bigger then the clash of the Titans MCR at home in Sean Fallon Park Cranmore to arch rivals Merville United. Adam Devaney fired Merville ahead after ten minutes and five minutes before half time Gary McCartney drew MCR level with a fine effort.
Both sides played an open attacking game and it was MCR who went ahead five minutes from full time when once again Gary Mc Cartney fired home a great goal. Three minutes later and it looked all over when Ciaran Harvey hit the back of the onion bag and MCR were coasting. However someone forgot to tell Merville when on ninety minutes twinkle toes Ryan Mc Manus threw Merville a lifeline and yes two minutes later David Martyn erupted to crash home the equaliser for a jubilant Merville. Extra time could not separate this two great sides and eventually it took once again the dreaded shoot out that seen Merville emerge winners and will play Real Tubber at home in the quarter finals.
North Sligo pace setters Cliffoney Celtic won by the odd goal in three away to Coolaney United. Ciaran MacMurray was on target for Coolaney with Cliffoney replying with a goal each from Diarmuid Gallagher and Bartley Clancy. This win earning Cliffoney Celtic a mouth watering clash at home to Glenview Stars in the Quarter finals.
Biggest cup shock of the weekend had to be Benbulben dispatching Cartron United in their quarter final encounter the only goal of the game a Daisey cutter from Donal Gallagher from all of thirty yards that stunned Cartron and fired Benbulben into the Semi Finals where the young guns of Grange will be away to either Merville or Real Tubber in the semi finals what a result.
Chaffpool United are also at home in their semi final as they await the winners of Cliffoney Celtic and Glenview Stars. The Pool at home with a full side are a test for any side and awaiting the victors a Spot in the Final.
In the Sligo Southern Hotel Super League, the big derby clash seen Arrow Harps welcome neighbours Ballygawley Celtic to Riverstown for their back to back games. It was a case of Déjà vu for Ballygawley with Arrow Harps opening their account on ten minutes courtesy of Seamus Hail- stones and it was 2-0 five minutes later when John Paul Henry rattled home the second for Harps.
The second half was three minutes old when Liam Tuohy fired home the third for a now rampaging Arrow Harps. Ballygawley never gave up the fight and were rewarded with a fine goal from James Mackey on 55 minutes. Arrow Harps responded in positive fashion with Seamus Hailstones restoring order when he notched his second goal of the game and the best was saved till last when Karl Mc Kenna struck a volley from forty-five yards that rocketed into the back of the net and effectively wrapped up the game and the bragging rights for the Riverstown Boys.
Sligo-Leitrim will now play Carlow in the semi-final of the Oscar Traynor at the Institute of Technology Astro Pitch date is Saturday 28th April Kick Off 3pm.
Provisional Panel: Mark Rooney, Killian Sweeney, Conor Griffin, Steve Feeney, Aaron Murren, Aaron O’Boyle, Ross McLoughlin (c), Barry O’ Mahony, Christopher Kelly, Ryan McManus, Mark McGoldrick, Ibrahim Savage, Shay Doherty, Gary Finan, Tony Clarke (gk), Steven Armstrong, Keith Nibbs, Darragh Healy.
SLIGO LEITRIM DISTRICT SOCCER LEAGUE