FAI Cup: College Corinthians through after thriller but defeats for Midleton and Douglas Hall

College Corinthians are the last team from Cork left in the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup following their 5-4 victory over Bangor Celtic in Dublin.

Douglas Hall and Midleton exited the competition to Castlebar Celtic and Athlone Town, while Ringmahon Rangers gave a much-publicised walkover to Bohemians.

FAI Intermediate Cup holder Corinthians are now into the hat for the third round alongside some of the biggest clubs in the country, including Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic. 

Corinthians began their campaign in the first round where they defeated Killester Donnycarney and they defeat Bangor Celtic 5-4 on Saturday.

Gary Hackett’s side enjoyed a perfect start with the club taking a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes through goals from Padraig McGrath and Anthony Brothers.

Bangor halved the deficit before the break and the second half started with a Killian Cooper brace that put Corinthians up 4-1, before Jake Scott scored twice in quick succession.

Cooper’s third, to complete a hat-trick offered no comfort despite the club leading 5-3 with 28 minutes left to play.

Bangor, who faced Cobh Ramblers in last season’s edition of the FAI Cup, rallied late and managed to make it 5-4 in the 71st minute. Corinthians buckled down to secure the win and their place in the third round.

Midleton travelled to Lissywollen to face Athlone Town and were downed 3-0 by the League of Ireland side.

This was John Keane's first game in charge of the club after taking over from Kevin Murray, and the coach used the occasion to give debuts to new signings Timmy O'Reilly and Ryan Hunter.

They featured in a Midleton side that qualified for the FAI Cup second round with a 2-0 victory over Mayfield United at Knockgriffin Park.

Athlone Town's League of Ireland experience came through with Patrick Ferry converting a penalty in the 10th minute.

Aaron Connolly and Joshua Farnham sealed their passage into the third round in the second half, while Midleton used the rest of the game to give first team exposure to a number of players coming through from squads in the Cork Youth Leagues.

Charlie McCarthy and Ben Fitzgerald were two brought on, one year on from reaching the FAI Under-17 Cup with the club.

Douglas Hall were in a different situation to the other Munster Senior League teams, as they faced a Castlebar Celtic side in the middle of their season.

A goal in the 20th minute from Dylan Felle was ultimately the difference between the two sides, in a flat game that never really came to life despite the large crowd in Moneygourney.