Fancied Pike Rovers host Ballymun United (Dublin) in the last 16 of the prized FAI Junior Cup on Sunday at 2pm.
A few weeks back, the now Tuohy Cup finalists advantaged with a 1-0 win at Lucan United. The only goal arrived through a smashing headed effort from Shane Clarke.
Clarke, netminder Gary Neville, Pat Mullins, Colm Walsh-O’Loughlin, Conor Coughlan, Dylan Murphy (scorer of a brace in Sunday’s Premier League win at home to Newport), and Eoin Hanrahan are among the key players for Pike.
Inside the last eight seasons, Pike have qualified for three finals, unfortunately losing them all.
Elsewhere, Regional United will hope to cause an upset when Seán Russell’s talented side entertain travel to tackle Trim Celtic of Meath, also on Sunday (2pm).
Last-time out, Regional – courtesy of goals from Donal O’Connell, Kieran O’Connell, and Ruairí Casserley – squeezed home in a 3-2 defeat of Grattan United (Cork). Central to the Regional challenge will be the O’Connell’s, along with Joey Rushe, Oleg Vsochan, Eoin Duff, Andrew Cowpar, and Eduardo Almeida.
Fairview Rangers and Carew Park, meanwhile, meet in the semi-final of the Tuohy Cup at Jackman Park on Thursday (6.45pm), with the winners to meet Pike in the final.
In the Desmond League, JJ Mulcahy – after a pin-point pass from Ethan O’Brien –
netted the winner in extra-time for Dromore United in their 3-2 Division Three Cup
Final victory over neighbours Breska Rovers at Mick Hanly Park.
