Yesterday at Shanowen Road our 1st team faced Sherriff Y C  in the AUL Nivea Challenge Cup and after a close game the last time these sides met in October many were predicting another tight affair this time round but an early Sheriff goal put paid to that script.

The game started at an electric pace and the home side came close within 30 seconds after Conor Dowler slipped in Stephen Cantwell but his dipping shot was over the bar. Just a minute later up the other end and Darren Dunne’s header was well saved by Dean Brady.

Sheriff took the lead after just seven minutes when Stephen Murphy’s corner was allowed to drop into the box and Darren Dunne was in the right spot to poke it home it was almost two some minutes later but Kevin Lynch’s shot was taken off the line by Eoin Kinsella. John Rock did eventually score a second Sherriff goal converting Darren O’Brien’s pass.

The home side almost grabbed one back when Dowler played a neat ball in to set Ross Harrison free but his shot across goal was saved by the legs of Lee Murphy.

Sheriff put the result beyond doubt with their third of the game just after the half hour mark when Mark Higgins scored a third and they added a fourth before half time when Darren Dunne converted Kevin Lynch’s cross.

SKB had two good opportunities early in the second half –  first Dowler crossed to Cantwell whose scissor kick was straight at Lee Murphy before Dowler had a crack from 25 yards that Lee Murphy did well to tip around the post.

Sheriff’s fifth came from the penalty spot after Darren O’Brien’s shot was harshly adjudged to have been handled by Paddy Brophy. Darren Dunne stepped up to smash it low and right into the net for his hat trick.