Superb Buncrana Hearts reach FAI Junior Cup quarters for first time ever

Buncrana Hearts have a last eight tie to look forward to in FAI Junior Cup for the first time in their history following a home win over Salthill Devon.

Buncrana Hearts 2-1 Salthill Devon

Buncrana made a dream start to the opening half when they took the lead in the first minute when Aaron McDaid robbed a defender and slotted low past Manala in the Salthill goal.

They had another chance then when Kieran McDaid found Sean Mullan but his effort was well saved. The visitors upped the tempo then with an O'Rourke header from a corner cleared away by Eoin Murphy before McKeown's 20-yard effort was superbly tipped around the post by Kelly. Buncrana hit back and when Mullan sent Kieran McDaid away on the right his cross found Jamie McDaid whose goal bound effort was deflected wide.

Salthill hit right back with Gallagher's shot tipped onto the post by Kelly before Barrett broke clear down the left and again Kelly saved well. The visitors then spurned a gilt edged chance when they were awarded a contested penalty but Gallagher's effort was superbly saved diving to his left by Kelly. Buncrana then had another good chance when Jamie McDaid squared to Murphy but his shot was well saved by Manala.

The Hearts were then hit with a sucker punch on the stroke of half time when a long throw in was flicked on for O’Rourke to head past Kelly from five yards and level the tie. On the restart Vinny Faherty went close with a volley for the visitors while at the other end Kieran McDaid volleyed an Aaron McDaid cross into the side netting. There was a lull in the action then until the 77th minute when Aaron McDaid unleashed an effort from distance just off target.

Salthill replied with Barrett firing over from twenty yards. Buncrana finished strongly with Kieran McDaid breaking on the right hand side and when his effort was saved by Manala the ball broke to Murphy but he shot wide. Then on the stroke of full time Kieran McDaid broke on the right again and when his cross fell to Murphy ten yards out he fired to the bottom corner to send the home side into the quarter finals for the first time in their history.