6th placed Nurney Villa play host to 5th placed St Anne's Ballylinan at Augha Road Nurney at 7:30 pm

Nurney Villa has yet to win in this competition, having lost all 5 games.
Form: L L L L L    Home Form: L

St Anne's Ballylinan come from a narrow 4-3 win at home against Burrin Celtic.
Form: W L W L L    Away Form: L L

St Anne's Ballylinan
Form: W L W L L

Burrin Celtic
Form: L W D W

This game saw a bright start by both teams, The best of the early chances going to Nurney.

Nurney got the opener on 18 minutes when Ben Smyth scored from a Shane Kelly free kick.

Ballylinan equalised on 28 minutes with a goal from play. The visitors began to dominate and were rewarded with their 2nd on 33 minutes with a goal from a free kick. Nurney began to chase, and John Cassidy got the equaliser for Nurney on 34 minutes when he chipped the keeper. Nurney took the lead on 42 minutes when Shane Kelly struck from play and that finished the half with Nurney 3-2 up and playing well. An even start to the 2nd half with few chances created by either team. As the half progressed Nurney began to dominate. Nurney created lots of chances and were rewarded when Oisin Maloney struck from a saved shot on 73 minutes. Padraig Keareny was rewarded after some solid play with Nurney’s 5th goal.

Good performance from Nurney who started the 1st half well and dominated the 2nd.

Nurney's best players were John Cassidy, Aidan Nolan, Thomas Bermingham and Oisin Maloney

St Anne’s AFC 0 – 4 Killeshin AFC.

Both sides started well, with St Anne’s having a strong wind behind them and it took until 30 minutes, before there was a goal, which came from a ball over the top to James Ingram, who struck the ball into the top corner for a 0 – 1 lead.

James Ingram scored again when he shot through the Keeper’s legs for his brace and made the score 0-2 nd they took that score into the interval.

St Anne’s put some pressure on Killeshin and were unlucky not to score, but back came Killeshin and a Crossfield ball from Kyle Kehoe found Kyle Holden who finished well to make it 0 – 3, quickly followed by a great run down the left wing, by Ben Slattery, which led to him winning a penalty, as he was fouled in the box.

Tobi Salmon stepped up and finished well for 0 – 4 and that was the final score.

Best for Killeshin were Ben Brady, James Ingram and Kyle Holden.

Ballymurphy Celtic AFC 5 – 1 St Anne’s AFC.

St Anne’s started off as the better team and whilst Ballymurphy created a couple of chances, they weren’t able to hit the target and they were then punished by St Anne’s, who scored on fifteen minutes for 0-1. Ballymurphy asserted themselves and were back in the game with a fine strike by Luke Joyce to equalise at 1-1, on thirty minutes and that was the score at the interval, Ballymurphy took the lead on fifty five minutes, when David Coleman headed home for 2- 1 with Ballymurphy well on top and dominating play and they scored again through Luke Joyce who slotted home from a penalty to make it 3-1. Luke Joyce was looking for his hat-trick and he found it on sixty-seven minutes, when he went through the St Anne’s defence and buried the ball in the bottom corner to make it 4-1. Ballymurphy were in full control, and they slotted home their fifth when Luke Joyce took advantage of a mix up in St Anne’s box to make it 5-1 and his fourth goal. Best for Ballymurphy were Luke Joyce, Cian Quirke, Conor Coleman, and David Coleman, whilst it was a brave, hardworking performance by St Anne’s.

St Annes started strong and took the lead on 5 minutes. Hanover grew into the game and levelled matters midway through the half when Matthew Callanan found the net. On the half hour Scott Dunne put Harps 2-1 ahead. Two goals in 3 minutes for St Annes saw them 3-2 ahead at half time. St Annes stretched their lead to 5-2 before Hanover reduced the arrears when Ray Darlington netted with 5 minutes left to leave it 5-3 at the end.

Best for Hanover were Andrew Vint, Scott Dooley, and Mark O'Brien

St Annes 0 0 Bridge United

This was to be the first goalless draw of the new season in what was a game dominated by defences. It was a tight game with very little clear cut goal chances. Bridge played with a wind in their backs and a slight incline in their favour in the first half. Bridge probably shaded the chances in the first half but each time they got behind the St Anne’s defence , the goalie was quick off his line or quickly down to smother the chance. The second half continued in much the same vein. Bridge forced a series of corners and centre back Mark Connick directed one header goal words, but the goal palmed it over the cross bar. Great defensive work from Dave Gorman and Mark Kelly at the back kept the visitors out. St Annes introduced Kieran Kelly into midfield, and this gave the opportunity for Gary Walsh to push upfront and a great ball from Joby Brophy put Gary through with a fantastic curling shot bounce back from the crossbar. Minutes later Cormac Farrell found room and saw his shot just wide. Bridge continued to press and nearly won the game in the dying minutes when Keith Glynn got on the end of a passing move in the six-yard box it looked as if he would score but a St Annes defender made a great tackle to knock the ball away. Ended 0-0 with the home side much happier with their first point of the season after 2 defeats. Best for St. Anne’s was Dave Gorman, Mark Kelly and Gary Walsh.

For bridge, Paul Foley in goal was assured in dealing with anything that came his way, Colin Madden was composed at sweeper, James Barcoe had a strong game at right back, got forward regularly and was probably the bridge man of the match on the night. Keith Glynn in the middle kept the ball moving for bridge and Mick Brennan when introduced looked like he had the pace to trouble St Annes but a hamstring twinge put paid to his night.

Carnew 3 2 St Anne’s

After shocking league runners up Killeshin last week Carnew took on St Anne’s who didn’t get off to a great start against champions Crettyard and probably feared the worst, but it proved to be a very entertaining close game. Carnew took a very early lead when a Quentin House corner went all the way in, after the keeper and the players challenging for the ball, all failed to connect. St. Anne's rallied though and deservedly equalised, when great work from Gary Walsh in midfield put in Noel Lawlor to equal the game, but William Dixon put Carnew back in front from the edge of the penalty box just before half-time. Carnew went two goals ahead early in the second half after a fine cross from Garrett Gregan from the left was finished by Seán Kinsella. To their credit though St. Anne's refused to quit, making it 3-2 when Trevor Reardon who had come on volleyed from close range after good work from Joe Brophy. The visitors then missed a penalty to equalise near the death. Best for Carnew were Seán Kinsella, PJ O’Keefe, and William Dixon. Best for St.Anne’s was Pauraic Brandon, Gary Walsh, and Noel Lawlor.

St Anne’s 0 9 Crettyard

St Anne’s made their debut in the Carlow seniors league and where given a baptism of fire when league champions Crettyard smashed them for nine goals. Crettyard started fast and were ahead after two minutes with a good strike from Mark Fox. After scoring Crettyard continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded with further goals from Niall Purcell, Chris Maher, and Mark Fox. The second half continued like the first half and with St Anne’s players tiring Crettyard were able to add further goals through Chris Maher, Jimmy Dunne, Pa Brennan, and 2 from Willie Kavanagh to run out winners 9 nil. Best for Crettyard was Jimmy Dunne, Chris Maher and Garry Rowan.