Abbeyfeale Advance, Wins for Newcastle West, Rathkeale and Glin

Abbeyfeale United advanced to the second round of the Munster Champions Trophy, defeating Doolan’s Cow of the Cork Business League on penalties. Level 3-3 after 90 minutes, it was 4-4 after the extra period, before the Fealesiders held their nerve to advance 5-4 on penalties.

Elsewhere, there were wins comfortable wins locally for Newcastle West Town, Rathkeale and Glin Rovers in the Premier Division Cup. The permutations of the Division One League Cup semi-finals became clear. Next week sees provincial action for several clubs as the games continue to come thick and fast.

Munster Champions Trophy

There is now doubt that pride of place this week must goto League Champions Abbeyfeale United. Who, after starting their season with a 1-1 draw with Newcastle West Town last weekend, made progress in the provincial competition played fore by each league winner. Cormac Roche scored a brace of penalties in the tie with Fiachra Cotter and Daniel Lyons also on target. Lyons’ strike, on debut, from distance was the pick of the bunch. Roche, Jamie O’Connor, Dylan Quirke, Mike Kelliher and Lyons converted in the shootout. Goalkeeper Shane O’Connell was the hero, saving the fifth. The reward is a last eight clash with Drinagh Rangers, with Abbeyfeale once again making the trip to Cork.


Premier Division League Cup – Group A

On Saturday evening, Broadford United started their season on the field of play with a 1-1 draw with Breska Rovers in Cove Park. The holders started strongly and hit the front through Liam O’Shaughnessy, with Michaél Brosnan playing him in. Breska equalised fortuitously when Karl Buckley’s cross was misread by the goalkeeper and found the back of the net. Despite a couple of other chances for United, they were unable to re-take the lead. James Purcell tipped a shot onto the crossbar late in the first half. The hosts won the tie-break shootout.

Elsewhere in this group, Granagh United were the first side to officially exit the competition. They were defeated 9-0 by a rampant Newcastle West side. Once Joey Healy opened the scoring there was no looking back for the Magpies.  Marty Madden, Jake Power and Jamie Keane all bagged a brace, with Jack Duggan and Sean Cronin also on target. This puts Newcastle West on top, with their final game at home to Broadford United. Breska are level with them while Abbeyfeale United and Broadford are still in the mix with games in hand.

In Group B, Rathkeale were comfortable winners over neighbours Creeves Celtic. Making the short trip to Newbridge, Rathkeale ran out 8-1 winners. Cian Shorten’s double was added to by Eoin Kelly, Gary Enright, Timmy Hogan and Jack Hennessey. Shorten completed his hat-trick before Hennessey rounded out the scoring. Seamus Mangan provided the sole strike for Celtic – before half-time. The win keeps Alan Doyle’s men in the hunt, bouncing back from their loss to Glin Rovers last weekend.

Glin maintained their 100% start to the season, winning 3-1 away to a youthful Ballingarry. Paul Sheehan and Jack Boland had them 2-0 up at half-time before Tommy Culhane sealed the points. Eoin Lynch struck the hosts consolation late on. Rovers are now guaranteed top spot and a semi-final ahead of their final game against Creeves.

Division One League Cup

In Group A, Athea United are another side maintaining their strong start to the season. They saw off St. Ita’s, 3-1, at home to make it three on the bounce. Shountrade were 2-1 winners away to Askeaton to book their place in the last four.

The Group B clash of Dromore United and Rathkeale B wasn’t played, meaning Newcastle West Town Reserves clash with Shannonside was the only tie. Seoirse Joyce, a long-serving striker in Newcastle West got the only goal of the game to knock-out last season’s finalists.

The semi-final pairings will see Group A winners Athea United face Group B runners-up Newcastle West Town Reserves, while Group B winners Dromore United are paired with Group A runners-up Shountrade. These ties are to be held in Mike Hanley Park, Clounreask in the coming weeks.

Division Two League Cup

In Division Two, the Group A clash went they way of Glin Rovers B. They had too much for Knockaderry, who’ve had a difficult few seasons. Goals from Ed Horan, James Broderick’s penalty and a Cian Culhane strike gave Rovers the spoils. In this group of three, Abbeyfeale United B and Glin Rovers B are now top on four points with Knockaderry needing two wins to have any chance of progressing.

In the second group, Ballingarry B, who finished runners-up to Mountcollins in Division Three last season, were too strong for the men in red, winning 3-1. Ballingarry are now top, on six points, and looking good to be in the top two. Glantine were idle and have some catching up to do.

Division Three League Cup

Group B, which has four sides, saw Carrig Celtic pick up a first home win and a second win on the bounce. They edged Broadford United B, 3-2. In Pallaskenry, Dromore United B trashed Shann onside’s second-string 7-1. With Dromore United B, Carrig Celtic and Broadford United B all tied on six points, there is uncertainty over how the top two will be determined.

In group B, Ballysteen were far too strong for Feenagh. It was the cup-holders first outing of the season and they made it count, running out 5-0 winners. Breska Rovers B remain top with Feenagh to host Ballysteen next weekend. A positive result for Ballysteen will put both themselves and Breska into the final-four.