PIKE Rovers are first through to the coveted Tuohy Cup final after a penalty shoot-out defeat of fellow FAI Junior Cup contenders Regional United at Jackman Park.
Oleg Vysochan (Regional) and Shane Clarke swapped goals in normal-time, and in the penalty drama Pike’s goalkeeper Gary Neville proved heroic with a series of stupendous saves.
Fairview Rangers and Carew Park contest the other semi.
In the Premier League, Pike host Newport on Sunday morning (11am), and elsewhere Regional are at Nenagh and Carew Park entertain Aisling Annacotty.
The previous evening at 7pm, it’s Fairview Rangers v Mungret Regional and Ballynanty Rovers v Coonagh United.
There’s currently a fascinating four-way tie at the top involving holders Pike (who have a game in hand on the others), Regional, Aisling Annacotty and Fairview, all locked together on 31 points.
A weekend League highlight was a stunning hat-trick by Conor Keane in the 3-0 win by Ballynanty Rovers at Geraldines.
In the lower ranks, Darragh Reddan bagged a memorable hat-trick for Corbally United.
Across all LDL divisions, the current highest goal scorer in season 2023/2024 is Pike youth performer Shane Franklin (34).
On the social front, Geraldines will host a Bingo Fundraiser at St. John’s Pavilion on Tuesday at 8.30pm.
In the Desmond Premier Division League Cup Final at Mick Hanley Park, man-of-the-match Paul Sheahan’s quality goal earned Glin Rovers a fine 1-0 win over neighbours Athea United.
Popular Tadhg Culhane captained the winners.
At the same venue, opening-half strikes from David Geary and Aaron Smith earned Ballingarry a 2-0 win against Askeaton/Kilcornan in the Division One League Cup Final.
