Captain Jack Arrows Rathkeale to Cup Glory

There was more silverware handed out this weekend, with Rathkeale getting their hands on the Premier Division League Cup, elsewhere, Abbeyfeale out of the Munster Junior Cup, while there was plenty of lower division action.


Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Final, Mick Hanley Park
Rathkeale AFC 2-1 Glin Rovers
The novel idea of playing the Cup competitions appears to have been welcomed by most, particularly by those involved. That said, time will tell if this is to become a permanent fixture. Christmas came early for Rathkeale who annexed some top flight silverware. Based on results, in league and cup, these two sides were worthy of their place in the decider. They did meet in the Group B clash in the Autumn, as Glin took a narrow win over Rathkeale.

This time, it was Rathkeale who edged it. Sean O’Shea gave Rathkeale the lead before the half-hour mark. In reply, came an AJ Behan strike around ten minutes before the break, to leave it level. Jack Hennessy proved to be the match winner with a header, as the game appeared to be drifting towards extra-time.

Captain Hennessy was delighted to pick up the cup for Alan Doyle’s side while he also got the Man of the Match award. Rathkeale’s form will mean they will be hard to stop in the league and have added a bit more depth to their squad in recent weeks, which augers well going into the new year.

McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Cup 4^th Round (Last 32)
Abbeyfeale Utd 0-1 Ferrybank (Waterford)
Abbeyfeale United’s involvement in the provincial competition came to an end when they were defeated narrowly at home to Waterford side, Ferrybank. The Waterford Premier Division side nicked the only goal of the game in a tight affair and United were unable to level this game. Rathkeale are in fourth round action next weekend, facing Ballynanty Rovers – the Desmond League’s final involvement in the MFA and FAI competitions.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Broadford Utd 2-1 Newcastle West Town
After a goalless opening half, Newcastle West struck the front in this tie, through Darren Lawlor. He drilled low to the net after a good dribble. Alan Fitzpatrick headed home from a Jack Pierce free kick to level this clash just after the hour mark. With the momentum with the some side, they inched in-front 10 minutes later. Another Pierce free-kick caused problems, this time, his delivery went all the way to the net. Broadford move onto four points from their two games, with Newcastle West winless after three outings.

Ballingarry v Kilcornan (OFF) – No ref available

Weekly Observer Division 1
Dromore Utd 2-0 Rathkeale B
Dromore United A got a much needed win, ahead of the upcoming League Cup final. They had a goal in either half, one from Orin Kelly and the other an own goal, to see off Rathkeale B. This puts the Kildimo-Pallaskenry side onto five points from as many games, and their first win of the league season.

Athea Utd 3-4 Shannonside
Shannonside gave themselves and the rest of the chasing pack in Division One a much-needed boost, when defeating league leaders Athea United. Like Dromore, Athea have a cup final to look forward to, but will be frustrated to fall to a first league loss of the season heading into that decider. Shannonside led through Mike Aherne, before Daire O’Shea levelled things. Pedro Tavares and Fernando Samedo both found the net to put the Foynes-Shanagolden side an impressive 3-1 half-time lead. Martin Stack cut the gap to one but Eoin Tucker restored that two goal margin.

Darren Murphy netted on 86 minutes, to set up a grandstand finish making it 3-4 but, ultimately, Shannonside held on.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Glin Rovers B 0-4 Ballingarry B

Ballingarry B took three points from Glin on Sunday afternoon, Denis Hayes, Colm Kiely, Jamie Ryan and Tiernan Fitzgerald were all on target for the winners. They used all their experience to seal a clean sheet, a rare feat against a Glin Rovers B side who regularly find the net. It is a first defeat for Rovers, as Ballingarry join them on 10 points.


Mountcollins AFC -OFF- Abbeyfeale Utd B

Weekly Observer Division 3
Feenagh 1-1 Ballysteen AFC

The visitors were looking to keep themselves in the mix at the top of the table, and led 1-0 at half-time in Feenagh. Despite playing for long periods with only 10, Ballysteen led through a Shane Gallagher strike. Colm Daniels found an equaliser for the home side, in the second half, after Billy O’Sullivan saw a thumping effort tipped onto the bar by the Ballysteen goalkeeper. Dan Gayer saved a stoppage time penalty, which had seen a Feenagh defender sent off for handball.

Dromore Utd B 7-0 Broadford Utd B
Dromore United B emphatically dispatched of an under par, Broadford United second team. Dromore, who have many players who finished midtable in Division One are showing their strengths more often than not. They did the same here, with Ethan O’Brien’s hat-trick, together with efforts from Kevin Madden, Dave Collins, Darren Lane and JJ Mulcair did the damage.

Weekly Observer Division 3 League Cup Semi Final
Carrig Celtic 0-4 Ballysteen
Ballysteen took a big step towards retaining their Divisional Cup crown when making somewhat light work of Carrig Celtic. Youngster Colm O’Flaherty was on target, as were Paul O’Shaughnessy (2) and Mark Ranahan. They’ll face the winners of Dromore United B and Breska Rovers B, who play on Tuesday night.