Dawson double sends United into final, domestic cup shocks aplenty

Westport United will contest the Connacht Shield final after a 2-1 win over Cloonfad United on Sunday.

Cloonfad held a half-time lead as Neil Morris played a one-two with Conor Flynn down the left wing and he finished past Gary Cunningham from eight yards out on 35 minutes. Westport dominated the second half and were level with 20 minutes to go when Jack Dawson headed home and it was Dawson who hit the winner with six minutes remaining as he volleyed home from just outside the box as he got on the end of a knockdown from Darren Browne.

Premier Division side Glenhest Rovers caused a cup upset as a late goal in extra time from Conor McCarthy earned them a 2-1 win away to Super League side Kiltimagh/Knock United in the Calor Gas Super Cup. They found themselves a goal down inside the first quarter of an hour when Lorcan Conroy opened the scoring for the home side. Glenhest were level on 25 minutes when youngster Cathal Breslin scored his first goal of the season in what was his first start for his club.

The sides couldn’t be separated in the following 65 minutes and extra –time was required to find a winner. Just when it looked like penalties would be required it was Glenhest that hit the winner when McCarthy fired home from the penalty spot in the final minute after Dan Duffy was sent off for a handball that denied Glenhest a certain goal.

In the other Super Cup game on Saturday evening, Conn Rangers recovered from last weekend’s heavy defeat to Castlebar Celtic with a 7-1 win over Kilmore. Rangers welcomed back a few key players in the attacking half of the pitch and were in devastating form in front of goal. Conor Flynn opened the scoring after 18 minutes with a drilled effort from the edge of the box and his side were four goals ahead at the break as PJ Gilmartin, Oran Timlin and Cian McHale got in on the scoring. McHale and Tuam O’Horo killed off any chance of a comeback from Kilmore with further goals inside the first ten minutes of the second half and Flynn then struck their seventh as his excellent freekick from 30 yards found the top right hand corner of the net.

Caobhlin Flatley got a late consolation goal for Kilmore as he headed home at the back post but it was Rangers who progressed to the quarter-finals.

There was another shock on Sunday morning when Westport United ‘B’ had a 3-2 win over Ballyheane in United Park. The Premier Division side have had an indifferent start to their League campaign but this win will not have been a surprise to Michael Horan side. Daniel O’Malley opened the scoring midway through the first half but Ballyheane were level just after the half an hour mark through Dan Purcell. A Ted Horan double gave Westport a two goal advantage with one coming just before the break and the other ten minutes into the second half. Sean Kilcoyne pulled one back in the final ten minutes but Westport held on to reach the Quarter Finals.

Claremorris were pushed all the by Kiltimagh/Knock United ‘B’ but it was the Super League side that got through with a 3-2 win in Concannon Park. Shane Byrne had given KK a half time lead with a goal five minutes before the break but Claremorris were level after ten minutes of the second half through Simon Butler. Mike Heaney then put Claremorris in front with 20 minutes to go and Ryan McLoughlin added the third. Daire Cunnane did get a second for KK but they were unable to find an equaliser in the final minutes.

League Two side Fahy Rovers ‘B’ knocked League One side Swinford out of the Calor Gas Premier Cup with a 2-1 win.

Killala needed a strong second half performance to see off Ballyvary Blue Bombers ‘B 7-2 in the Courthouse.

Conn Rangers ‘B’ are also in the hat for the draw for the next round after a 2-1 win away against Ballinrobe Town ‘B’.

League Two’s Westport United ‘C’ came from a goal down after just two minutes to earn a 3-1 win over League One’s Partry Athletic at United Park and League Two got the better of League One in Ballyvary also as Snugboro defeated Ballyvary Blue Bombers 2-0.

After beating Ballyheane ‘B’ in the Tuohy Cup last Thursday, Castlebar Celtic B had their second cup win in just three days as they put three past Crossmolina ‘B’ without reply at Celtic Park.

Ballina Town ‘B’ fired a warning shot to the teams left in the Premier Cup as they hit eight without reply past Conn Rangers ‘C’ but another north Mayo side Iorras Aontaithe crashed out as Castlebar Town defeated last year’s finalists 1-0 in Moneen.

The final tie saw Ballyhaunis Town send Ballyheane ‘B’ packing in another cup competition, Ballyhaunis coming out on top with a 3-1 win in Pat Quigley Park.