14.30 8 Jun 2014 -
Referee: Robert Hennessy
FAI Cup - Ballynanty Rovers -v- Phoenix
- Tom Clancy
- Sun, Jun 08 2014
BALLYNANTY ROVERS
After reaching the latter stages of the FAI Junior Cup, ‘Balla’, qualified for the senior equivalent. Defeat to St. Michael’s of Tipperary in the Final of the Junior Cup was heart-breaking, but it still marked a memorable year for a side who finished fifth in the highly praised Limerick Premier Division.
Dermot Fitzgerald, a key part of the City side’s midfield, was stretchered off during the Aviva decider, suffering a horrendous knee injury.
A Club which draws support and interest from Moyross, Ballynanty, Thomondgate and Kileedy, will no doubt have a big backing from all in Limerick on Sunday.
Unavailable will be the team captain ‘keeper Stephen McNamara, his heroics in the semi-final giving the club a big day out in Dublin. Jamie Bromell is likely to deputise in goal.
Damien Conway will be still hopeful that despite the absence of key men in Fitzgerald and McNamara, his players can add to an already enjoyable season.
PHOENIX
After defeating Bluebell United in round one, the Dubliners will look to progress to the third round, something they failed to do in 2013 when Dundalk beat Phoenix 4-0 in the second round.
Attacker Glen McDonald was the hero in round one. His brace contributed to a fantastic turn-around in fortunes having trailed 2-0 early on. Phoenix lost their final seven League games of the Leinster Senior League, finishing 9th after 26 games. That run of form should give the Limerick side encouragement but the high standard of the Leinster Senior League should benefit the Dubliners.
Referee: Robert Hennessey
MATCH STATS
Phoenix last won a League game on 10/01/2014, beating Glebe North 2-0.
Ballynanty Rovers
Injured: Dermot Fitzgerald. (knee)
Unavailable: Darragh Hughes, Stephen McNamara
Phoenix
Injured: Unavailable
About Tom Clancy
Introduced to the League of Ireland in 2005, Tom has seen Limerick play at four different grounds down the years. He began writing for Extratime in late 2013 and was delighted to report on the …