Ballinasloe Town prepare for massive FAI Junior Cup clash
At the Curragh Grounds, Ballinasloe, this Saturday evening at 6.30pm, Ballinasloe Town take on the AUL side Kilbarrack United in the quarter-finals of this season’s Umbro sponsored FAI Junior Cup.
In round six of the competition, the Roscommon & District League Premier Division champions beat a fancied Castlebar Celtic side 2-0 at Ballinasloe and were full value for their win.
They went on to reach the quarter-finals by beating a highly rated Clonmel Celtic side 2-0 at Ballinasloe. Michael Greaney and Darragh Concannon scored their goals and overall Ballinasloe Town were the better side.
Ballinasloe possess a strong side and have dominated the Roscommon & District League in recent years. A strong defence of Mike Lynch, Garry Egan, David Cullen, Shane Duffy, Pete Keighery and keeper Aidan Fallon were the back bone of the team in previous rounds.
Darragh Concannon continues to run the midfield show with his accurate free kicks likely to cause trouble for the Kilbarrack defence. Aidan Dooney, Alan Duffy and Shane Tracy are other skilful players in the home side. It will be interesting to see if Liam Lynch makes a return to the side given that he did not feature in the two previous rounds.
Kilbarrack United are one of the top sides in the AUL and reached the final of this competition last season. They were beaten 3-0 by Sheriff YC in the final.
The Dublin outfit will provide stiff opposition and Ballinasloe Town will have to be at their very best if they are to over come this talented side.
But hopes are high that Ballinasloe can become the second team from the Roscommon & District League to reach the semi-finals of this prestigious competition. A big local support could be the difference in who comes out on top.
Ballinasloe Town Panel: Aidan Fallon, Declan Duffy, Shane Duffy, David Cullen, Mike Lynch, Garry Egan, Darragh Concannon, Michael Greaney, Richie Egan, Pete Keighery, Paddy Brock, Eoghan Keighery, Eduardo, Shane Tracy, Warren Coyne, Dillon Kane, Mark Duffy, Padraig Moloney, Alan Duffy, Aidan Dooney, Graham Pettit, Liam Lynch. Manager: Enda Concannon. Coaches: Noel Lyons, Peter Tiley.