It was a successful weekend for Galway League clubs in the Connacht Junior Cup as six advanced to the last 16 of the competition. The draw for the fourth round was just as kind as all six teams avoided one another and most have secured what could be classed as decent draws.

There is one outstanding game to be played from the last round as Maree-Oranmore must travel to Dunmore, but a win for them there would set up a home tie against Ballina Town. Salthill Devon and Colga were also handed home ties and will welcome Mayo visitors Westport United B and Castlebar Celtic B on February 25.

The other three Galway sides must take to the road with Mervue United probably facing the stiffest task with an away tie against Carbury in Sligo. University of Galway will meet Roscommon League side Moore United; while the holders Athenry travel to face a Conn Rangers side who comfortably saw off Shiven Rovers on Sunday.

The Connacht Shield is at the last 32 stages and has 11 Galway League sides remaining. Because of the way the competition was structured this season, a number of Premier Division teams are involved for the first time ever.

Galway Hibs at home against CP Ajax and West United away to Cloonfad United are two of the city sides involved, along with Mervue United B, who will enjoy home advantage against Kiltimagh-Knock.

FAI JUNIOR CUP

Maree-Oranmore 2

Grange Vale 0

Maree-Oranmore’s FAI Junior Cup success was like watching a film where the hero was always going to survive and come out on top as the hosts were by far the better team and it was just a matter of hanging in there for the duration and watch them eventually get over the line.

Two second-half goals were enough to see off Cork visitors Grange Vale and the reward for Brendan O’Connor’s charges is an away trip to Inishowen this weekend for a last 16 meeting with favourites Cockhill Celtic.

Maree-Oranmore had overcome some difficult challenges to get to this stage of the competition, but it was apparent from early on that the visitors were limited, and it was up to the home side to take advantage of their superiority and secure their passage to the next round.

From the early exchanges Kieran Black, Iffy Asogu, and Ethan McCauley gave them plenty of forward momentum, but there was a lack of scoring instinct in the box as Grange Vale’s towering central defenders Billy Jenkins and Alan Buckley ruled the area.

Pictured: Knocknacarra B’s Darragh Gormally gets his pass away as Jakub Stec of Merlin Woods closes in during the U-14 Division 1 game between the sides at Millars Lane last weekend, which Merlin Woods won 5-0. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.