Captain Carr inspires St Michael's in FAI Junior Cup win over Hibernians of Waterford

FAI Junior Cup (6th Round)

St Michael's 3-1 Hibernians (Waterford)

St Michael’s produced their best performance of the season on Sunday last, buoyed by a whirlwind start, and played with an intensity that blew away their highly- rated opponents in the last 16 of this year’s FAI Junior Cup, in this entertaining game that delighted the attendance at Cooke Park.

The evergreen Jimmy Carr provided a captain’s inspiration all day and within two minutes his pacy run from the left saw him fouled by Sean O’Keeffe and the home side were awarded a penalty kick. Carr dusted himself off to beat Sean Whitty from the spot, giving St Michael’s the start they could only have dreamed about.

Five minutes later they doubled their lead when Carr turned provider, picking out David Slattery with a pinpoint cross that was headed to the net.

It almost became three in the 11th minute when Russell Quirke saw his diagonal shot come back off the post.

Hibs were shell-shocked but began to find their feet slowly, and on 18 minutes David Cooley saw his effort gathered by Adrian Walsh, the first time the home ‘keeper really had anything to do.

In the 27th minute the Saints had appeals for a second penalty turned down when Russell Quirke was tackled in the box, and Walsh was quick off his line to smother a chance when Jason Keane played in Conor Whittle. St Michael’s finished the half on the front foot when after good work by David Slattery, Russell Quirke released Jimmy Carr on the left but Sean Whitty spread himself well to turn his shot around the post.

The home side were determined not to allow the Waterford side any succour or opportunity to get back into the game in the second period, and had a number of chances before they added a third goal in the 57th minute. As it was all day, Carr was creating havoc, and he beat three defenders on his way to the endline before cutting a cross back to the feet of Ed O’Dwyer, who couldn’t and didn’t miss from six yards, to the cheers of the supporters.

To their credit, Hibernians kept going and got a lifeline in the 65th minute when Adrian Walsh was deemed to have tripped a Hibs player, and Mark O’Keeffe kept his nerve to make it three goals to one from the penalty spot.

All the weekend soccer results in Tipperary - Saints march on again in FAI Junior Cup

The goal inspired Hibs for a spell and they had a number of half-chances but, in reality, the Saints used their extensive fountain of experience to see the game out and move into the last eight of this famous competition.

On this form, they will definitely be among the favourites to lift the trophy once again.