By Mike Rafferty

CONNACHT Junior Cup action dominated the weekend soccer scene and it was a rewarding one for Moyne Villa, Maree-Oranmore, Dunmore Town, Colemanstown United, Mervue United and Renmore as they all advanced to the last 16 of the provincial competition.

In the Connacht Shield, there was a double success for Corrib Celtic A and B teams, while Corofin United, Tuam Celtic, Dynamo Blues, Oughterard, Glen Celtic, Maree-Oranmore B, Moyne Villa B and West United all made it into the next round as well.

Junior Cup

When Moyne Villa and Colga met in a Premier League contest in Headford back in September, it was the visitors who emerged 4-1 winners on that occasion. However, the fortunes of both sides have moved in opposite directions since as Villa have suffered just one defeat in their last seven games, while Colga have not maintained their impressive early season form.

On Saturday the sides met in Kilcornan and when two early Padraig Cunningham goals put Moyne Villa in command, there was no way back for the home side as the visitors eventually emerged 5-1 winners.

While a Tom Daly goal did pull one back for Colga, Kyle Greaney found the net at the other end to make it 3-1 at the break. Adam Barrett and Aidan Coyle added further goals on the resumption as Villa ran out convincing winners.

The season to date had been a bit of a struggle for Colemanstown United, but three opening half goals from Kevin Barrett (two) and Harry Mitchell eased them to a 3-0 away win over Ballygawley Celtic.

Shane McGrath was the hat trick hero for Dunmore Town as they came from behind to defeat Ballyheane by 3-2, but there was no joy for Craughwell United as they had just a Darragh O’Connor goal to show for their efforts in a 3-1 home defeat against Ballisodare.

An early goal by Colm Whelan gave Maree-Oranmore an edge away against Ballina Town, before a David O’Mahony goal levelled matters at 1-1. There was no separating the sides thereafter, as the game went to extra time. It eventually took penalties to sort the issue and it was Brendan O’Connor’s charges who emerged 5-3 winners in the shoot-out.

There was no joy for Loughrea, for despite goals from Kieran Bane, Shane Greensmith and Thomas Hoban, they fell to a 4-3 away defeat against Dromahair, while Athenry B lost 6-3 away to Castlerea Celtic as Conor Cannon (two) and Alex Park took the scoring honours for the visitors.

Ballinasloe Town were 3-1 winners over Manorhamilton as David Aives, Fayaz Choudhry and Cameron O’Leary all found the net for the Roscommon League side.

Mervue United did all the damage in the second half as goals by Aaron Neary, Kacper Zatonski, Adam Healy and Kieran O’Connor eased them to a merited 4-0 win over Cloonfad United, while Renmore did not have to lace their boots after Sligo opponents Calry Bohs conceded the game in advance.

Pictured: The Maree-Oranmore FC U-15 girls team which lost out to Knocknacarra in Sunday’s Premier Division clash at Cappagh Park. Front row, from left: Ruth Murray, Zuzanna Rozycka, Kate McNamara, Emily Keady, Malia Samoson and Ava Gallagher. Back row: Kayla Grealy, Maria Cronolly, Sadhbh Madden, Cara Killian, Jill Murray, Romey Stenson and Aoibhe Keane.