Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

Mervue United and Maree-Oranmore were presented with home games when the draw for the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup was made on Monday, but Knocknacarra will have to take a trip to the capital and a meeting with  Ballymun United.

Mervue United will welcome Letterkenny Rovers to Fahy’s Field on Sunday January 21 for the Fifth Round tie. The Donegal side did not have a lot to spare in their local rounds of the competition as they saw off Carndonagh (2-1), Rathmullan Celtic (2-1) and Aileach FC (1-0), before they required penalties to see off Wexford side North End United in the open draw.

The team formerly played in the now defunct Ulster Senior League, which they won twice in 2005 and 2009. They were also previously participants in the FAI Intermediate Cup and in which they finished runners-up in 2015.

Mervue United’s run to this stage is certainly impressive as they recorded wins over Colga, Salthill Devon and Renmore, before heading to Cork where they secured a 1-0 win over Avondale United.

Maree-Oranmore are enjoying another good season in the Premier Division, but they have certainly caught the eye in the FAI Cup where their 2-1 away win over Athenry was indeed notable. They also saw off Bohemians and Loughrea locally, before emerging 2-0 away winners over Knockmitten United in Dublin in the last round.

In the Fifth Round they will host Cork side Grange Vale, who would not be one of the fancied teams by any stretch of the imagination.

The challenge facing Jimmy Nolan’s Knocknacarra will be a much more difficult one as they face an away contest against Ballymun United, who in times past were regular contenders for the title.

Knocknacarra have seen off Bearna Na Forbacha, Dynamo Blues, and Colemanstown United locally, before they dismissed Wexford side Kilmore United in the last round.

Pictured: The Knocknacarra defence looks to clear their lines in their clash with Athenry in the Women’s Premier Division in Cappagh Park last Sunday. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.