KICK-OFF: The Kilkenny & District League soccer round-up

LAST weekend saw the second round of the FAI Junior Cup in Kilkenny.

Bridge United welcomed Crossbeg of Wexford to Goresbridge on Sunday morning and it was the local side who advanced on a 4-2 scoreline.

Freebooters travelled to Shamrock Rovers of Wexford and came away with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Peter Higgins, Joe Banville and Jim Ryan.

Elsewhere, 2017 finalists Evergreen travelled to Carlow to take on New Oak Boys. The game was only eight minutes old when the hosts grabbed the opening goal. Not long after New Oak doubled their lead to make it 2-0 at half time.

Evergreen won a penalty seven minutes into the second half and Jamie Owens converted. A half an hour later New Oak were given a penalty of their own which they converted to see the Carlow side run out 3-1 winners.

There was another Kilkenny v Wexford tie as Newpark AFC travelled to Wexford to take on Bridge Rovers.

The Kilkenny side were unlucky to be 2-0 down at half time but this was certainly a game of two halves. A Henry O’Neill hattrick and a goal from Craig Hayes saw the Newpark lads through 2-4.

In the only Premier Division game of the weekend, Thomastown United who were due to travel to Graiguenamanagh but the fixture was reversed due to the weather. Thomastown instead welcomed Highview Athletic to United Park in Thomastown and ran out comfortable 8-0 winners – which included a second- half Jack Barcoe hattrick.

In Division 1, East End defeated Fort Rangers 4-2, Evergreen Celtic lost 1-0 to Ormondevilla, and Stoneyford got the better of Callan on a 4-3 scoreline.

In Division 2, River Rangers took the spoils against Freshford Town 4-1 and Castlewarren Celtic defeated Paulstown  1-0.

Finally, in Division 3, St Johns were defeated by Brookeville AFC 2-1, and Evergreen 46 beat Tullaroan on the Kells Road, 6-3.