Donal Moynihan and Coachford aiming high as AUL side set up FAI Junior Cup semi-final with Trim

Coachford AFC have reached the semi-final of the FAI Junior Cup after producing one of the finest performances in the club’s recent history to defeat Cockhill Celtic 2-1 on Sunday.

The victory marks another memorable chapter in a remarkable cup run for the Cork AUL side, who have battled through seven rounds of the competition to reach the last four. They will now face Trim in the semi-final, with the Meath side expected to provide another formidable challenge.

For Coachford manager Donal Moynihan, Sunday’s performance was right up there with the best his team has produced.

“We are delighted with our win over Cockhill Celtic, probably one of our toughest asks, and delighted to come out the right side,” said Moynihan.

“We travelled up the night before, giving ourselves the best chance and the performance was one of the best this team has produced, which is saying a lot given some of the performances they have put in.”

Coachford’s journey to the semi-final has been anything but straightforward. After coming through three local rounds, they faced a series of demanding trips outside Cork, beginning with a journey to Clare to take on Avenue United.

They then welcomed Mungret from Limerick, where they needed a dramatic late intervention to keep their cup dream alive. With Coachford facing elimination, Bob O’Neill scored a last-second equaliser to send the game into extra time, before Luke Casey produced a last-minute winner to complete an extraordinary turnaround.

The challenges continued with a trip to Castlebar to face Ballyheane. Coachford once again showed their character, coming away with a thrilling 4-3 victory and booking their place in the next round.

That set up Sunday’s highly anticipated meeting with Cockhill Celtic, and Moynihan was delighted with the way his players responded to the occasion.

The 2-1 victory not only secured a place in the semi-final but also moved Coachford further than the club has ever gone in the FAI Junior Cup. The previous best run had been reaching the last 32.

Despite the historic achievement, Moynihan is not interested in simply celebrating reaching the last four. His ambitions have now grown.

“The best the club have gone is the last 32. Right now, my aim for this competition is to win the semi-final,” he said.

Standing in their way will be Trim, who Coachford will face away from home. Moynihan knows the task will be extremely difficult, particularly with another long journey involved.

“We have Trim in the next round, who are supposed to be very strong, so that’s going to be tough, and being away again makes it more difficult.”

Building

Coachford’s success is also a reflection of the strength and stability that has been built within the club over recent years. The club has a long association with the Cork AUL and has enjoyed considerable success, including a Munster Junior Cup triumph in 2025.

Moynihan is hoping that success can provide the foundation for another memorable season.

“We play in the Cork AUL and the club has a long association with this division. We are lucky to have had a lot of success over the last number of years, including a Munster Junior Cup win in 2025, and we hope to build on that again this year.”

For Moynihan himself, the current run is particularly special. Having played for Coachford, he took over the management of the team eight years ago and has overseen a period of significant progress.

“I consider myself very lucky to get the opportunity to work with a team like this, as well as having a brilliant management team. 

We all work well together and are enjoying the success we are having.”

Now, with just one game standing between Coachford and a place in the FAI Junior Cup final, the club can look forward to another historic occasion.

The journey has already taken them across the country, produced dramatic late goals, thrilling victories and a record-breaking run. But with Trim next on the horizon, Coachford are refusing to settle for what they have achieved.

The semi-final represents another huge test — but after Sunday’s victory over Cockhill Celtic, Coachford will head into it believing that anything is possible.