Business League round-up: Arc Rovers take down AUL opponents in Munster Junior Cup
The Cork Business League squad who play the MJL in the Oscar Traynor Trophy Munster Area semi-final at Mayfield Park. Picture: Finbarr Buckley
There's no doubt that the result of the weekend was Arc Rovers’ thoroughly deserved 4-2 win over Cork AUL Premier opponents Castleview A in the last 32 Munster Junior cup tie at James Kenneally Sports Centre.
Former Quinlan’s Bar striker Danny O’Donoghue opened the scoring for the View in the sixth minute only for Kane Murphy to equalise from the penalty spot five minutes before half-time. Despite going behind for a second time when David Burke scored in first-half added time, the hard-working Shane Herlihy won possession for Dylan Cruise O’Shea to set up Paudie Cotter to draw the teams level in the 55th minute.
From here on, the hosts dominated with O’Shea netting a decisive double, the first from Conor Ryan in the 64th minute and the second 13 minutes later, controlling with the chest before volleying into the top corner from 35 yards.
Cork Hospitals made it through to a second Premier Cup final in three years following an impressive win over Longboats at Crosshaven.
Despite going behind twice to goals from Ian Tobin and Sam Kendellan, Hospitals led 3-2 at the break after Jamie O’Neill, Conor O’Halloran and Tadhg Whelan scored. Further goals from the hosts through O’Neill, Whelan, Leon Lucey and Marc O’Connor could only be countered by late goals Conor Foley and Ray Murphy.
Helio finished runners-up to Doolan’s Cow after this win consigned their opponents to relegation. Gabriel Peña Da Silva’s early first-half goal was followed by three in the second 45 from Ruben Sarasa, Joao Martins and Javier Madrigal Vidal.
Abbey went in at the break three to the good courtesy of John McLoughlin (2) and Ronan Twomey. McLoughlin and Francis O’Callaghan tagged on further goals before Ken O’Connor reduced the deficit in the 65th minute.
Jack Murphy added a second for the hosts ten minutes later only for Cian Lucey to wrap up the scoring with a sixth for Abbey in the 84th minute.
Trust require a point from their remaining fixture to secure the automatic second promotion spot after goals from Daniel Jaouhari (2) and Daniel Hurley outscored Valleys’ two from Conor Hickey and John Noonan.
Ahead on tomorrow night’s much-awaited tie against the Munster Junior League in the Munster area semi-final of the Oscar Traynor Trophy, it’s almost 60 years since progressive league secretary Mick Mooney sought entry to the competition for the first time ahead of the 1966/67 season.
There could not have been a more difficult start than a home draw against the reigning champions, the Cork AUL at Turner’s Cross on Sunday, November 20, 1966. Under the stewardship of Aer Lingus centre-back, Patsy Dorgan, courageous captain, Lunhams’ Denis Coleman led his charges to a 4-2 win courtesy of goals Barry Terry (2), Mchael O’Mahony and Joe Drennan.
Despite losing to Galway 5-2 in the next round, the team went again in 1967/68 and a home produced a stunning 4-1 win over Tipperary DL. Round Two took the team to St. James’s Gate, Kilkenny and resulted in a 4-1 win. Another away tie led to a 2-1 win over the Leinster Senior League before losing 4-1 to the Limerick District League in the semi-final.
The league didn’t seek entry again until 1974/75 with a new generation of players tasted victory over Tipperary DL, 3-2, courtesy of goals from John Good (2) and Derry Hartnett. A solitary Hartnett strike in the 70th minute was enough to eliminate the Wexford League before the Galway DL would once again crush hopes of advancing to a second semi-final on Sunday, April 20th 1975 at the Showgrounds.
In 1992/93, the CBL faced Cork opposition for only the second time in the form of the MJL Turner’s Cross on Sunday, November 29th 1992 under coach Jerry Browne and Tony Daly. It was to be a red letter day as the CBL romped to a splendid 5-1 win.
Despite losing out to the MJL and Waterford DL in the last two seasons, the league decided to enter again this season. And so, under the management of the DHF Grangevale trio of head coach Diarmuid O’Neill, assistant John O’Connell and goalkeeping coach Jamie O’Sullivan, our squad will attempt to overturn the MJL for the first time in thirty-three years.
The squad has prepared well and with confidence high the tie against a very strong visiting eleven is eagerly awaited. Best of luck to our management team and talented squad.
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