Muirhevna Mor come from behind to book a place in FAI Junior Cup sixth round

FAI Junior Cup fifth round

Muirhevna Mor 2-1 Ballynanty Rovers

Brendan Hughes’ goal five minutes from time sent Muirhevna Mor into the sixth round of the FAI Junior Cup in Dundalk on Sunday afternoon.

Limerick’s Ballynanty Rovers provided stern opposition in miserable conditions, breaking the deadlock midway through the second half, following a ‘chanceless’ hour.

The visitors had the rain tinged breeze in their favour after the break, although the caginess which was symptomatic of the opening period continued until Ballynanty hit the front through a goal which had a hint of offside about it.

Muirhevna advanced in search of a leveller and it came via a header across goal by substitute Vinny Smith.

It was a major moment in the tie as Rovers failed to recover their composure for the remainder of the affair, eventually going down to Hughes' finish late on.

Jimmy Cooney’s miscued effort was kept in play by Micky O’Kane who found Hughes in the box.

Laois’ Crettyard United await the domestic double chasers early in the new year as the Blues’ Aviva dream continues.

Muirhevna Mor: Michael Cooney; Brian Begley, Robbie Gavaghan, Adrian Rafferty, Jimmy Cooney; Colin Finan, Philip Duffy, Thomas McShane, Billy Smith; Tiarnan Mulvenna, Micky O’Kane

Subs: Martin Smith, Cody Magill, Vinny Smith, Gary Clarke, Brendan Hughes