Clonmel Celtic 0-1 Sheriff YC

Sheriff YC’S bid for a third FAI Junior Cup with Aviva and Umbro in the space of four years remains on track after they edged out Clonmel Celtic in Saturday evening’s semi-final by 1-0.

The last-four tie at Cooke Park in Tipperary Town was settled by John Lester’s 12th-minute penalty after reigning FAI Junior Player of the Year Darren Dunne was tripped inside the box by Brian Waters. 

Sheriff, winners of the coveted trophy in 2012 and 2013, now march on to the final at the Aviva Stadium on 17 May, when they’ll meet the victor of Sunday’s second semi-final between North End United and Liffey Wanderers to be played at Ferrycarrig Park (3pm).  

For all the possession Clonmel enjoyed in the second half, they were unable to extend Aidan McGrane, deputising in the Sheriff goal for the suspended Lee Murphy.  

The best chance they fashioned to conjure an equaliser fell to Aaron Moroney on 63 minutes but, although the substitute lifted the ball over the advancing McGrane from an acute angle, his effort lacked both the power and accuracy to find the empty net.  

A powerful first-half display by the Dubliners gave them a deserved interval advantage.   

When Keith Dunne had the Clonmel defence in a spin with just three minutes played only to blaze over, it was a sign of things to come from Sheriff. 
 

Seconds before they were awarded the penalty, Celtic goalkeeper Ciaran Kenrick produced a wonderful save to leave Keith Dunne disappointed again. 
 

However, once ahead, Sheriff found their groove and should had more goals to show for their dominance.  

Alan McCabe spurned their closest opportunity to double the lead when he popped up unmarked at the back post six minutes before the break but missed the target from eight yards with the goal gaping. 
 

Clonmel, whose first-half chance count consisted of just Evan McGuire’s low drive from a tight angle which McGrane turned around the near post, emerged for the second half in the ascendancy. 

Apart from Moroney’s gilt-edged opening, they also had a strong claim for a spot-kick rejected when Sheriff defender Anto Kavanagh appeared to handle the ball inside the box.  

Not even eight minutes of stoppage-time led to a leveller and their odyssey for this season at least ends at the semi-final stage.

CLONMEL CELTIC: C Kendrick; J O'Connor (P Kennedy 75), C Condon, S Scully, B Waters; G Doyle (A Moroney 53), D Joyce; E McGuire (R Condon 70), I Barnes, K Waters; S O'Hara.

SHERIFF YC: A McGrane; P Murphy, A Kavanagh, D Browne; A McCabe (S Larkin 81), J Flood (M Pigott 86), J Lester, D Dunne, J O'Neill (S Murphy 89); K Dunne, J Rock.  

Referee: G Fitzgerald.