Mervue Utd's Junior team advanced to the last sixteen of the Connacht Junior Cup following a hard earned 2-1 win over Roscommon side Castlerea Celtic at Fahy's Field on Sunday afternoon as a goal in either half for the home side decided this tie.

Padraig Kilgannon's side got off to the perfect start after just six minutes taking an early lead. Right back Robert Connolly advanced up the wing before sending a dangerous ball into the box which Stephen Larkin met forcing a save from Castlerea keeper Damien Fannon, but the loose ball fell to Stevie Cunningham just six yards out and he blasted the ball into the roof of the net with the aid of the underside of the crossbar.

In a forgettable first half after that, only a Tommy Walsh shot threatened to add to that early opening score as he saw a well struck effort sail narrowly wide just before the interval.

Seven minutes after the break and the home side should have been two up after a good move down the left released Cunningham and his pace got him away from the covering defender before picking out the inrushing unmarked Aaron Finnerty in the box but the winger fired his effort high and over.

Castlerea began to gain a foothold on possession after that but rarely threatened Eoin Martin's goal despite a couple of long range efforts as the Mervue defence once again showed why they don't concede many goals.

With a quarter of an hour remaining they increased their lead to 2-0 after Cunningham's pace produced another foul on the striker on the right. Tommy Walsh delivered a good ball into the box from the free-kick for Keith McHugh to finish into the corner past Fannon.

Five minutes later the visitors were given a chance to get back into the game when they were awarded a penalty which Martin brilliantly saved from Castlerea fullback Giles McDonagh. The home side should have made it 3-0 on 85 minutes when another excellent run by Cunningham down the right wing saw him pulled the ball back to the unmarked Finn Creedon but he shot badly wide in front of goals.

Two minutes into injury time and referee Peter Flaherty awarded the visitors a second penalty for a foul by Martin and this time Castlerea's McDonagh sent the home keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1 as they claimed a late consolation goal.

Mervue Utd - Eoin Martin, Robert Connolly, Ger McGrath, Vinny O'Connor, Keith McHugh; Tommy Walsh, Darvin Dowling (Coley Kelly), Derek McWalter, Aaron Finnerty (Finn Creedon '65); Stephen Larkin (Barry McCann) and Stephen Cunningham.