Munster Champions Cup Heartbreak for Abbeyfeale United, wins for Glin and Rathkeale

With the weather on Saturday evening causing a minor amount of disruption, focus was on Abbeyfeale United who were in Munster Champions Cup action. Elsewhere, we had one Premier Division clash, while Rathkeale confirmed their place in the Premier Division Cup semi-finals.

The lower Divisions were far from goal-shy once again.

Keane Jewellers Munster FA League Champions Trophy Semi Final
Abbeyfeale United 2-3 St. Michaels (Tipperary)

Following a brace of wins over Cork opposition already in this competition, Abbeyfeale United were aiming for a Munster final appearance. They’ll be extremely frustrated to miss out having led 2-0. St. Michael’s for the last decade have been one of the mainstays at the business end of Tipperary, Munster and national competition, had defeated Pike Rovers, 1-0 in the quarter final.

The Fealsiders struck the front through TJ Lane and he quickly doubled his tally to put the hosts in a strong position – leading 2-0. David Slattery halved the gap at the interval before Ashley Kelleher eqaulised. Slattery made no mistake from the penalty spot to bag the winner. Abbeyfeale face into Munster Junior and League Cup action, before they’ll eventually get their League title defence underway in the coming weeks.

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup, Group A
Newcastle West Town P-P Broadford United
Postponed – pitch unplayable.

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup, Group B
Rathkeale AFC 2-0 Kilcornan
First half goals from Barry Coleman and Timmy Hogan were enough for Rathkeale to rubber stamp their place in the semi-finals. They’ll face the Group A winners, with Glin Rovers set to face the runners-up. Abbeyfeale United, Breska Rovers, Broadford United and Newcastle West Town all remain in the hunt for those two spots.

Weekly Observer Division Three League Cup Group A, Elimination Play Off
Dromore United B P-P Broadford United B Postponed.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Creeves Celtic 0-3 Glin Rovers
Creeves were playing their first ever Premier Division League game, but came off second best to the in-form team in the league. Glin Rovers having eased through the League Cup group phase, were routine winners in Newbridge. AJ Behan, Paul Sheehan and Tadhg Culhane were all on target.

Weekly Observer Division 1
Shountrade AFC 2-2 Dromore United
Shountrade were gallant in holding Dromore to a draw after being reduced to 10 men early on. Eoin Mulvihill gave United the lead, but Shountrade recovered to lead 2-1. Evin Kelly scored the final goal, when slotting the rebound from a penalty.

Newcastle West Reserves 0-4 Athea United
With Newcastle West Town reduced to 10 in the opening half, Athea United took full advantage. An own-goal had them on their way early in the second half, with Ger Collins and Kevin Murphy’s brace keeping the good run for Shane Mulvihill’s men.

Rathkeale B 1-3 St. Ita’s
Peter Mulcahy, Michael Begley and Paul Fitzmaurice were the goalscorers for St. Ita’s who got back to winning ways away to Rathkeale’s second string.

Askeaton 1-4 Shannonside
Despite falling behind early on, Shannonside built on their creditable performance against Killarney Celtic last weekend. They led 2-1 at the interval and pulled clear in the second half. Mike Sillery rolled back the years with a hat-trick, while Player/Manager Mike Aherne found the net from 12 yards.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Knockaderry 2-0 Mountcollins
Knockaderry got a moral boosting win over Mountcollins. The men in green made home advantage count and goals in either half which came from Eoin O’Connor and John Ed Harnett.  After five consecutive defeates this season, as well as just one League win last term, it will be a much welcomed three points for Knockaderry.

Glin Rovers B 4-1 Glantine
Johnny Sullivan, no stranger to finding the net this season, was the goalscoring hero for Glin’s second string. His brace had Rovers 2-0 ahead at the interval, Glantine pulled one back before Sullivan added two more to take home the match ball and the three points.

Weekly Observer Division 3
Ballysteen AFC 2-1 Breska Rovers B
Deadlocked at the interval, the hosts went ahead when David O’Shaughnessy found the net. Breska levelled with through Bobby Smith entering the final ten minutes. O’Shaughnessy was on hand to pounce for a late winner in challenging conditions.