FAI Junior Cup Round-Up: Rush Athletic into the quarter-finals while Killarney Celtic win big in Buncrana

Rush Athletic will compete in the quarter-finals of the FAI Junior Cup for the first time following their extra-time win over Greencastle of Donegal.

Brian McAllister’s goal in the first half of the extra time saw the Leinster Senior League Major Sunday leaders to the narrowest of victories.

Greencastle arrived into the game in good form, despite losing midfielder James Henry to Institute over Christmas, having seen off holders St Michael’s in the previous round.

They pushed the hosts all the way amid heavy winds at St Catherine’s Park but sharpshooter McAllister scored the fifth round in a row to seal the tie eight minutes into extra time.

They’ll be joined in the last eight by Fairview Rangers, who stunned 2017/18 finalists Pike Rovers thanks to a sole strike from former Limerick midfielder Clyde O’Connell.

Eoin Hanrahan was shown a red card late on as Robbie Williams’ side lost the battle between two of Limerick football’s heavyweights.

Mayo’s Westport United advanced to the quarter-finalists with a 1-0 win at home to Newpark of Kilkenny.

Darren Browne scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time after Jack Murphy was fouled in the box.

On what was a miserable afternoon for Donegal sides in FAI Cup competition, Buncrana Hearts saw their adventure come to a close in round six with a 4-1 home defeat to Kerry’s Killarney Celtic.

A hat-trick from striker Stephen McCarthy, and a fourth from Danny Roche, saw Celtic to a comfortable win on the Inishowen Peninsula, with Decky Fullerton netting a late consolation.



And Trim Celtic fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Ferrybank. Late goals from Thomas Whitty and Stephen Imren saw the Waterford side into the last 16.

On Friday night, four-time winners and last season’s beaten finalists Sheriff YC saw their interest in the competition ended with a 3-0 defeat to Usher Celtic.

A brace from former Glenavon striker Steo Donnelly, one a penalty, and a third from Irish Amateur international Jordan Buckley saw the home side to a comprehensive win in Grangegorman.

On Saturday, Cathal Fahy scored a dramatic winner as Athenry edged out Crumlin United’s Saturday side by the odd goal in five.

Aaron Legett had given Athenry the lead before Leon Foley and Conor Mooney turned the tie on its head at half time.

Jackson De Silva got Athenry back on terms early in the second half before Legett slipped in Fahy to scored the decisive goal 20 minutes from time.



Meanwhile, Castlebar Celtic advanced to the last 16 with a 2-0 win away to Tolka Rovers’ Saturday side thanks to goals from Ioseph O’Reilly and Jordan Loftus.