IN FORM Division 3 side Shamrocks, played host to Division 2 Borris F.C. in Round 2 of the Douglas Jewellers Carlow cup with 'man of the match' Joe Lea. It was the visitors who had the better of the early exchanges. Shamrocks eventually settled and had a couple of good scoring chances through Murt Bamberick and Daniel Pereira, both of which were well saved by the Borris goalkeeper John McKeever.

The first goal came on 30 minutes when Borris were awarded a free kick. Shamrocks goalkeeper Anthony Core initially saved the shot but the ball somehow slipped from his hands to leave an easy tap in for Anthony Stafford.

A penalty miss by Borris on 43 minutes would prove to be very costly for them.

Shamrocks upped the pace on the resumption and Saul Heavin went close on a couple of occasions before linking up with Joe Lea, who picked his spot well to finally open their account on 52 minutes.

Youngster Lea was yet again the Shamrocks hero when he took a pass 30 yards out, controlled the ball and played a one two with Gavin Walker, took the return and went past two players to flick the ball with superb technique past the Borris keeper.

St. Anne's 'B' 1 New Oak Boys 6

NEW OAK'S second string who are dominating the Division 2 were too strong for Anne's Division 3 second string.

On five minutes, a long New Oak ball by Christopher Power was headed home by Colin Nolan for the opening goal. Five minutes later a great run by Willie Doyle set up Tom Collins for their second goal. The Boys third goal came on 30 minutes, a Mark Davis through ball set up Graham Kelly. Ten minutes later they were 4-0 ahead, great work by the back line saw Davis again set up Kelly who scored fro 25 yards. Then just before the break, Aidan Walsh got one back for St. Anne's.

New Oak again dominated the second half. Davis made it 5-1 from a 25 yard free kick. New Oak rounded off their scoring at 6-1 on 80 minutes with a spectacular goal by Colin Nolan.

Castle Rangers 2 Crettyard United 'B' 2

THE DOUGLAS Jewellers Carlow cup went all the way to a penalty shoot out before Rangers advanced to Round 4 on a 5-4 scoreline.

The home side took an early lead when Roy Pearson controlled, turned and volleyed a fine shot to the Crettyard net on eleven minutes. Rangers were on top for the remainder of the half but were wasteful in front of goals, leading by that single goal at the break.

United cam a lot more into the game in the second period and deservedly levelled on 74 minutes. A fine move involving Jason Kealy and Eddie O'Reilly was finished in style by Niall Purcell. Purcell came close to snatching a winner soon after when he smacked an effort off the Rangers woodwork.

The game went to extra time and in the first period, Niall Purcell scored again to put Crettyard ahead. They held that lead until 117 minutes when Cailin Canning's free kick from 20 yards range went to the United net with the help of a deflection off a defender to bring the game into penalties. Crettyard missed their first kick in the shoot out and with Rangers converting all of theirs and it is Rangers who advance.

Derry Rovers 0 Baltinglass Town Boys 0

IN A tightly contested cup-tie, Rovers advanced over Baltinglass following extra time and penalties.

Baltinglass had the better of the first half exchanges with the Rovers goalkeeper, Kenneth Brennan coming to his teams rescue on a couple of occasions. The Boys Paul Redmond thought he caught the Brennan napping, but with a last gasp, he fingered tipped the powerful shot over to safety. Paddy Cronin made a comfortable save for Baltinglass when he was well placed when Rovers well struck free kick cleared the defence wall on 15 minutes.

The second half was played at a rapid pace with both teams trying to break the deadlock, however both goalkeepers were in top form. Paddy Cronin was called into action again for the Boys.

With the deadlock remaining extra time followed with play much the same as in normal time, however, with no breakthrough the teams then went into the dreaded penalty shoot out with Keith Brennan making one vital save to put Derry Rovers through.

Nurney Villa 'B' 0 St. Joseph's 2

CUP SPECIALISTS Joseph's advances to the next round at the expense of neighbours Nurney's second-string team.

The Saints had a dream start scoring after only three minutes in, good work by Colm Doran and Chris Townsend set up James Dempsey to head home.

Seven minutes later the Saints doubled their advantage through Danny Moran.

Parkville United 'B' 3 Rathanna FC 2

RATHANNA enjoyed the opening quarter of this encounter but some poor finishing prevented them from taking the lead against a Parkville second string slowly clawing their way into the game.

The visitors were rocked when Keith Slye delivered a corner onto the head of Johnny Mernagh whose well-placed header gave the Rathanna keeper no chance on 30 minutes. Perhaps mindful of the clock, Rathanna's play improved and they unlocked the home defence to deservedly equalise on 38 minutes.

The game was balanced on a knife-edge when Cathal Fitzgerald released a great pass to Willie Doran who beat the advancing Rathanna keeper to restore the Parkville lead on 63 minutes. Rathanna replied almost directly from the kick off equalising on 65 minutes.

The game was decided when the Rathanna defence was plunged into a nightmare by their inability to clear a Keith Slye cross allowing Robert Byrne to scramble the ball to the net on 81 minutes.

Palatine Celtic 4 Hanover Harps 'B' 1

SECOND division hot shots were just too hot for a lack lustre Hanover second string.

Harps defence could only admire the manner in which John Reid struck to score on 14 minutes. The following exchanges in what was a keenly contested local derby were evenly balanced but Hanover never managed to make a dent in the solid looking Pal defence for the remainder of the half.

When Gavin Farrell scored three minutes into the second half, the writing was on the wall with Palatine adding further scores through John Reid on 65 minutes and Gavin Farrell on 80 minutes.