Byrne in sparkling form as Slaney Rovers defeat Castle to reach semis
An aerial duel between Parkville's Ronan Byrne and Colin Whelan of Hanover Harps during the Premier Division game.
Tuesday February 23 2010
SLANEY ARE through to the semi finals of the Med Bar Cup following their victory in the Youth Centre. In a tough hard encounter, Rangers took the lead on 18 minutes with a Brian Pearson goal, only for Rovers to equalise ten minutes later, Dominic Byrne beating the off side trap to score. The Rathvilly side were to take the lead before half time with a good finish from Shane Murphy.
Chances were scarce in the second half as both side cancelled each other out. However on 74 minutes Rangers levelled, Alan Butler toe poking home from close range in a crowded Rovers goalmouth.
Back came Slaney, Dominic Byrne restoring the lead for his side with a goal on 78 minutes. Rangers tried hard to get an equaliser before the end but good defending by Andrew Smyth denied them twice, Brian Pearson also had a shot wide from inside the box, as Rovers held on for victory.
Tops for Slaney Rovers were Andrew Smyth, Brian Leonard and Shane Murphy. For Castle Rangers, Eddie O'Brian, Cailin Canning and Alan Butler were best.
St. Anne's advance 4-3 on penalties
THE VISITING Ballylinan based Saints adopted a cautious approach to the early exchanges of this encounter with Palatine who have been on fire this season. Palatine were equally cautious and with defences operating a no frills approach, scoring chances were rare. Colm Campion cracked a hasty shot over the Pal bar on 20 minutes and with the home side beginning to enjoy the better of the exchanges the visitors relied heavily on the quick break from defensive duties. From one such break, Eric Kenna delivered perfectly for Enda Butler who shot directly at the Celtic keeper on 40 minutes.
Almost on the stroke of half time, an opportunist strike by Eric Kenna was brushed onto a Celtic post and a relieved Palatine defence cleared the rebound.
The pattern of the earlier exchanges was repeated throughout the third quarter with Palatine breaking the deadlock and taking the lead on 65 minutes.
The Saints defence was under considerable pressure during the following exchanges and but for the excellence of James Dunne in goal the Ballylinan lads would have has a difficult task of recovering on their hands.
Gradually the Saints weathered the storm and began to dismantle the tiring Palatine defence who were glad to rely on their keeper who made a number of important saves to preserve their lead making good saves to prevent Garry Walsh and Enda Butler equalising as the game went well into the final quarter.
With time running out Padraig Brandon produced a cross which was deflected into the path of Joe Murphy who equalised on 87 minutes and the game entered extra time which was uneventful.
Penalties saw the Saints victorious as James Dunne made a couple of important saves and Liam Kealy struck the decisive penalty to reward the earlier efforts of Andrew Leonard, Kieran Kelly and Alan Kehoe.
