Limerick District League Premier Division Round-Up

Ballynanty Rovers began the 2021/2022 Premier Division season with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Geraldines at Limerick Institute of Technology. Although the score-line suggests it was a comfortable 90 minutes for the home side, it took them until two minutes before half-time to break down their stubborn opponents.

Ballynanty are once again under the stewardship of Dave Dunphy who is aided by Derek Braddish while Geraldines trio Derek Hannon, Christy O’Neill and Bobby Tier are once again at the helm with the Garryowen based club.

Geradlines have lost the services of a number of key players including goalkeeper Evan Moloney, Shane Cox and Dean McNamara. Balla welcomed back Daragh Hughes Dermot Fitzgerald while Jamie Stewart was brought in to provide competition for Stephen McNamara. They also lost Alex Purcell, Ger Barry and Ronan Ryan.

Ballynanty goal scorers on the night were Jake Dillon, Arron Nunan, Adrian Power, Eddie Byrnes and an own-goal.

Ballynanty Rovers: Jamie Stewart, Liam Byrnes, Daragh Hughes, Adam Costelloe, Jake Dillon, Aidan Hurley, Michael Guerin, David Donnan, Adrian Power, Eddie Byrnes, Arron Nunan Subs Used: Derek Daly, Patrick Whelan, Thomas Byrnes, Jerry Higgins

Geraldines: Patrick Reardon. Ger Bourke, Thomas O’Grady, Bobby Tier, Paul Fitzgerald, Christy O’Neill, Trevor Daly, Ousman Darboe, Karl Turner, Will O’Neill, Shane Byrne Subs: Ian O’Donoghue, David Crowe, Lee Whyte, Andrew Kennedy, Cillian Healy, David Fitzgerald, David Considine

Prospect Priory hosted current FAI Junior Cup holders and league favourites Fairview Rangers at Cals Park and were largely written off before a ball was kicked. However, the home side took the lead thanks to Jack Cross but a mistake in defence allowed Jeffrey Judge to equalise. At the beginning of the second half, Jason Purcell’s side scored 2 quick fire goals through Mikey O’Gorman and Eoin Duff to take control.

To their credit, the Wayne Colbert led side made it nervy at the death with a consolation goal from Josh O’Rahilly but the away side held out for a valuable win. Prospect make the trip to play Regional on Sunday morning while Fairview host Nenagh at the Fairgreen.

Prospect Priory: Adam O’Doherty, Ian Maher, Dean Glasheen, Glen Kelly, Johnathan Travers, Adrian Healy, Jack Cross, Eric Carr, Ian Clancy, Yakouba Yabre Subs: Chris Hogan, Wayne Colbert, Danny Colbert, Josh O’Rahilly

Fairview Rangers: Aaron Savage, Jamie Enright, Mark Slattery, AJ O’Connor, Jason Cross, Jeffrey Judge, John Mullane, Mikey O’Gorman, Conor Coughlan, James Fitzgerald, Conor Keane Subs: Paul Danagher, Adam Frahill, Cian Fitzgerald, Cian O’Brien, Eoghan Duff, Conor McCormack, Sean Connolly, Mark Cahill

Mungret Regional are under new management this season following the departure of Eddie Storan as former midfielder Richie Burke takes the reigns. Burke is still just 29 years old but has taken his first steps into management and made a positive start with a 0-4 win over Kilmallock.

A brace from Eoghan Ryan along with goals from Kieran Long and new signing Pa Aherne gave the visitors all three points. Mungret will take on title hopefuls Ballynanty Rovers in Mungret on Sunday morning while Kilmallock will make the unenviable trip to Crosagalla to take on Pike Rovers.

Mungret Regional: James Roche, Craig Prendergast, Eoghan Ryan, Aaron Long, Conor Myers, Daragh Killian, Colm Barrett, Kian Barry, Cian McNicholas, Sean Ezkennagha, Kieran Long Subs Used: Markus Finucane, Mark Purcell, Patrick Aherne, Dylan Frawey

Nenagh enjoyed a fruitful trip to Coonagh on Thursday evening as they secured a 1-4 victory. Nenagh took the lead through a penalty from Eoin Coffery before Coonagh were awarded a penalty of their own which was duly converted by Martin Deady.

However, the Tipperary outfit took control of the game once they regained the lead through Bryan McGhee. Cillian Fitzpatrick’s side we dealt a blow a couple of weeks ago with the news that key player Mikey O’Gorman was joining Fairview Rangers and Ben Banaghan and Alan Sheehan have re-located for work.

Further goals from Kieran O’Brien and substitute Dylan Kennedy ensured that the points would go back to Brickfields but Nenagh will have a very tough away assignment on Sunday when they take on Fairview Rangers at the Fairgreen.

Coonagh will travel to the Garryowen Green to take on Geraldines who were also beaten heavily on the opening night. Keith Doran and James O’Neill will be hoping for a similar result as last season when they beat the ‘Dines 2-3 at the same venue.

Nenagh: Harry Fleming, Dan Ryan, Bryan McGhee, Steve Daly, Colm Hayden, Eamonn White, Diarmuid Fitzpatrick, Paul Costello, Adam Ryan, Eoin Coffey, Kieran O’Brien