Premier Division stalemate while Ballingarry move closer to promotion

There was a handful of games across the divisions this bank holiday weekend. There was also two outstanding Desmond Cup last 16 ties played, with seven of the last eight now known.

Weekly Observer Desmond Cup 2^nd Round
Breska Rovers B 3-1 Abbeyfeale Utd B
In the end it was a late, late show from Breska Rovers B, who edged over Abbeyfeale United with a trio of efforts in the final four minutes of action. Trailing for long spells, a trio of goals flipped the result and put Rovers into the quarter-finals. Orin Garvey and Adam O’Connor put them ahead, before Garvey scored a beautiful long-ranger with the last act. Their prize is a home game with Rathkeale A in the last eight.

Granagh Utd 5-1 Feenagh
A Dan Shelton treble as well as goals from Paudie Murphy and Harry Dore saw Grangh United through to the last eight, with a win over neighbours, Feenagh. Dore’s effort was the pick of the bunch with Trevor Hughes’ side at home to Dromore United A, the holders, or Newcastle West Town Reserves.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Broadford Utd 0-0 Breska Rovers
A game between two sides who needed the points for different reasons. Broadford looking to bring themselves back into the title hunt, Breska looking to climb off the foot of the table and ease and relegation worries. A draw, in the end, was a fair result, with neither keeper overly worked during the ninety minutes. Jack Noonan, the home keeper, is still just a teenager and he made a couple of decent stops early on from Mark Moroney, while at the other end, James Purcell was rarely threatened – this a first league clean sheet of the season for Rovers. A draw brings them level with Athea, in the relegation spots, while Broadford are four off the top, and remain fourth.

Weekly Observer Division 1
Ballingarry 3-1 Shannonside
Ballingarry’s very likely return to the top tier got another step closer, as they edged beyond Shannonside, on Friday evening. Phillip Pandong and Aaron Smith had the hosts ahead, with Martin Fitzgerald’s penalty keeping Shannonside interested. However, Michael Molloy killed the contest late on to move Ballingarry ten points clear of the nearest challengers.

Glin Rovers B 1-6 Askeaton Kilcornan
Despite trailing to an Adam Robb effort inside four minutes, Askeaton Kilcornan got a much welcomed three points, which was in large, thanks to a Sam Duggan hat-trick. Ken O’Donoghue, Colm O’Flaherty and John McCarthy accounted for the other goals, a third win in five outings. They will need to be flawless to push towards the top placings. They are currently fifth, with games in hand on the sides above them.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Ballysteen 4-1 Shountrade 
Ballysteen moved up to the top half of the table with a comfortable win over Shountrade, who are really struggling at the foot of the third tier. Paudie McMahon’s brace as well as efforts from David Holland and Tomas Sheahan saw them over the winless visitors.

Knockaderry P-P Newcastle West Town Reserves

Mountcollins 0-0 Ballingarry B
With no goal, and thus no winner in Mountcollins in Sunday on afternoon, it puts Ballingarry six points clear of Newcastle West Town Reserves, who have three games in hand. Mountcollins climb to second spot. Both these sides have five games left to push for the two promotion spots.

Weekly Observer Division 3
Glantine B 0-4 Askeaton Kilcornan B
Askeaton Kilcornan B made light work of their away trip to Glantine, to keep them in the mix in the title race. Once Chris Kelly netted the opener from the penalty spot, they didn’t look back. Evan Costello, Stephen Maune and Padraig McMorrow added more, with two goals in each half making for a routine win.

Youths Division One League Cup
Dromore Utd P-P Askeaton-Kilcornan

Abbeyfeale Utd 7-3 Broadford Utd
Abbeyfeale United climbed top of the Division One League Cup table, with a high scoring win over Broadford United, who are now finished in this competition with all four games played. A League deceider to come for Broadford will prolong their season.

Youths Division Two League Cup
Kilcolman Rovers P-P Shannonside

Feenagh 2-1 Breska Rovers
Feenagh put themselves into the Division Two League Cup final, with a win over Breska Rovers, who needed at least a point to stay in the hunt. This means that Feenagh and Glin Rovers will contest the final.

Youths Division Three League Cup
Ballingarry 2-0 Shountrade
Ballingarry put themselves in a very good position in terms of reaching the final, but will need one more result to ensure that. Shountrade remain in contention, but they too will need a result. Both side have to play Grangh United.

Granagh Utd 2-2 Athea Utd
Both these sides collected their first point of the campaign, with Athea now finished. Grangh will need to pick up at least two wins from their remaining three games to reach the final.

Limerick Desmond U17s Cup 1^st Round
Shannonside 2-4 Newcastle West Town