Local Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty

On a weekend off from League action, it was a very successful one for the Galway League sides involved in the Connacht Junior Cup as all advanced with different degrees of comfort.

The draw for the second round has thrown up just one Galway derby, with Renmore to make the trip out to Kilcolgan to take on Colga. Mervue United have been handed a home tie with Sligo side, Gurteen Celtic; but Salthill Devon make the trip to north Mayo to take on Ballyheane just outside Castlebar.

Maree/Oranmore have also been handed an away tie, facing a trip to Roscommon to take on Skyvalley Rovers; but it is St Bernard’s who have been handed the tie nobody wanted, as they travel to take on back-to-back champions and cup holders, Castlebar Celtic. Craughwell United, Athenry, and Moylough 79 have all been handed home ties.

The draw for the second round of the Connacht Shield has thrown up a few more Galway derbies, including seeing West United heading out the road to take on Cregmore/Claregalway B.

Mervue United B have been drawn away to Oughterard; while Corrib Celtic face a longer trek, having been draw away to Mayo’s Kilmore FC. If Hibs win their postponed Round 1 game, they will be at home to Sligo’s St John’s Athletic B.

The winners of last weekend’s postponed tie between Galway Bohs and Colga B have been drawn at home to Glen Celtic; while two other Celtics will meet in Sligo as Tuam Celtic head up the N17 to take on Ballymote Celtic.

The winners of the Athenry derby between Kiltullagh Pioneers and Athenry B, also postponed last weekend, will be at home to another Sligo side, Real Tubber; and there is another Galway-Sligo clash on the cards, with Kinvara United at home to Ballygawley Celtic.

Maree/Oranmore’s B side head to Mayo to take on Castlebar Celtic’s second-string side; while Corofin United will host Cregmore/Claregalway’s A side. Moyne Villa B are at home to either Moore United B or Bangor Hibs; Corrib Celtic B are away to Lough Harps; and Dynamo Blues have been drawn away to Carrick Town.

Pictured: Jamie Walshe of Salthill Devon B looks to skip past the challenge of Oughterard’s Eoghan Merrick as team-mate Luke Mannion, and Nathan Podmore of Oughterard, look on in the U-16 Division 2 clash between the sides in Drom on Sunday, which the home side won 5-0. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.