Carr and Guerins goals guide assured Tipperary Saints to win in FAI Cup in Kilkenny

FAI Junior Cup, 6th Round

EVERGREEN (Kilkenny) 0 ST MICHAEL'S 2

St Michael’s made it a clean sweep for the three TSDL sides still in this year’s FAI Junior Cup when winning away in Kilkenny on Sunday, to book their quarter-final place in the prestigious national competiton, with a very assured performance against Evergreen.

Saints were right at it from the beginning and almost took the lead in the opening minute, but Russell Quirke’s shot went narrowly wide.

The game then settled into a tense dogged tussle with clear chances at a premium.

The opening goal was always going to be crucial and first blood went to the Tipperary Town side in the 28th minute when Jimmy Carr got the ball on his left leg and his effort flew in off the post to the visiting supporters delight.

Adrian Walsh did well to punch away an Evergreen free kick as the Kilkenny hosts looked for a quick response, but the experienced Tipperary side drew the sting out of their attacks and went to the break a goal to the good.

The Noresiders had a lot of possession in the second half but found Adrian Walsh and the visiting defence equal to everything that came their way. The hosts did have a spell midway through the half, where they looked particularly dangerous, but the wily old Saints produced heroics time and again to keep their goal intact.

A tight game was eventually put to bed seven minutes from time, when Jimmy Carr won a free on the left and Rhys O’Regan’s delivery saw Seanie Guerins flick a header beyond the grasp of Nathan Owens in the Evergreen goal to double the Saints advantage.

Evergreen then threw everything at the away side over the last few minutes, but it was never going to be enough and once again St Michael’s must be thinking of how close they are to the trophy they covet probably above all others and will be hoping to add their name once more to the trophy.