IN their glory days, Bohemians did not enter the Connacht Junior Cup until the elite stage with all the rest of the Premier sides from around the Province, but that must seem a distant memory now. On Sunday afternoon in poor conditions at Millar’s Lane, the lowly Second Division outfit required extra time before eventually seeing off Tuam Celtic by 5-3.

Driving wind and sheets of rain made life very uncomfortable for all involved and it takes a certain character to stand on that sideline and encourage and cajole as the respective management teams of Alan Byrnes, Anthony Quinn, Stan Loftus and Dave Mahon did throughout on this occasion.

The reward for the City side after two hours of action is a day back in the limelight against maybe a top flight team in the third round.

After taking appoint against unbeaten league leaders Moyne Villa last weekend, Medtronic followed that up with an excelled 2-1 cup win over Urlar United in Mayo on Sunday, while a very young Colga side impressed greatly when seeing off Mulranny United by 3-1 in Kilcornan.

Bohemians 5
Tuam Celtic 3

(After extra time)

A Dave Butterfield hat trick looked like it was going to be enough to give Bohemians a passage to the next round of the Connacht Junior Cup, but a last minute Gavin O’Connell goal, set up by Colin Brady was to level matters at 3-3 and send the tie into extra time.

The home side struck for a further two goals courtesy of a Rob Timoney spot kick – after Cian O’Connell was upended in the box – and a Darren Corcoran finish following a Butterfield corner to advance to the next round.

It was Bohs who struck first after 24 minutes as Butterfield finished off a Sean Coleman free kick that was bobbling around the box, but the advantage was short lived as Will Saintey got the faintest of touches to a Ger Cuniffee free kick from half way to level matters.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.