Desmond League involvement ended in Munster Junior competitions

There was a plethora of different competitions on the table for Desmond League sides this past weekend. Involvement in the Munster competitions is now over, but both sides still in the FAI learned their next opponents. Again, weather wreaked havoc on the fixture list but the shortage off match officials is also hindering progress of competitions.

McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Cup 4^th Round
Drinagh Rangers 1-1 Breska Rovers (Drinagh Rangers win 5-4 on pens, AET)
It took a penalty shootout to defeat Breska Rovers, as West Cork champions, Drinagh Rangers prevailed after sudden death. The game itself saw both goals arrive from the penalty spot, so perhaps fittingly, the game was decided by that same method. Breska will feel unlucky not to have taken the win, having recovered from an 8^th minute concession before dominating the rest of the opening half. Their reward was a Mark Moroney penalty, which he won himself. He slotted home after 43 minutes. Breska shaded the second half but Drinagh just about doing enough to deny them a lead goal. James Purcell, however, did pull off a couple of quality saves but the stalemate continued all the way to 110 minutes. After four successful penalties each, Breska hit the post; Purcell saved but in sudden death the Rangers keeper saved, before their fullback send the boys in red into the last 16.

St. Itas 0-11 Avenue Utd
What had been a dream run for St. Ita’s in this provincial competition turned into the stuff of nightmares when Avenue United, trounced the Division One side, in a game played in Mike Hanley Park. One of the favourites for both the FAI and Munster competitions, United were fresh from knocking FAI Junior Cup champions, Newmarket Celtic, out of that competition, and they wasted no time in booking their place in round five. Leading inside the opening 10 minutes, the Clare side were 5-0 up at half time, and added six more in a totally dominant display. St. Ita’s turn their attention to the Division One campaign, after knocking three Premier Division sides out of Munster to reach this fourth round clash.

McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Shield 4^th Round
Breska Rovers B 1-4 Pilltown B (Waterford)
The Kilkenny side, who ply their trade in the Waterford league, eased into the last 16 when defeating Breska Rovers B. Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Barry Adams gave the Clarina side some hope but the visitors tacked on another pair to pull clear. This was a first foray into this new competition and the feeling is that is a welcomed addition around Munster. Only sides outside the top two tiers of their respective leagues are eligible. 

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Group B
Athea Utd 1-0 Rathkeale
With both sides already guaranteed a semi-final spot, a certain level of the sting was perhaps gone from this game. However, momentum is huge and Athea United, who have been idle recently, will be delighted to finish this three-game group with a perfect record. They had to be patient, as holders Rathkeale kept this tie tight for long periods. Eventually, however, United struck the front when Darren Murphy lofted an effort expertly over the visiting keeper to find the game’s only goal, after 70 minutes.

Premier Division League Cup semi-finals: Glin Rovers v Rathkeale, Athea United v Breska Rovers.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Newcastle West Town 0-2 Broadford Utd
This was a maiden league game for both sides as they are nearing full squads now. There was nothing to separate the two in the opening half before Kenny Lynch found the breakthrough for the champions. It has been a challenging few weeks for Newcastle West, who have slipped out of three-cup competitions. Their fate was known when Adam White doubled the lead to get Broadford up and running in defence of their title, which they won, in a play-off last season.


Abbeyfeale Utd V Glin Rovers – Postponed
Riverside Park deemed unplayable on Sunday morning.

Weekly Observer Division One
Ballingarry AFC 3-1 Granagh Utd
A local derby played at The Paddocks went the way of Ballingarry who were comfortable.
In recent times, this was a Premier Division but both have begun a rebuild in the second tier. Granagh had won their league opener but were unable to build on this against a well organised Ballingarry. Aaron Smith opened the scoring and a David Geary double meant it was 3-0 nearing the hour mark. Paudie Murphy pulled a goal back for Granagh but they couldn’t muster an unlikely comeback.

Dromore United V Shannonside – Postponed
The pitch in Pallaskenry was unplayable.

Askeaton Kilcornan 2-0 Rathkeale B
A brace of goals for Cathal Downes gave Askeaton-Kilcornan a comfortable, routine victory over Rathkeale B. A fine individual effort from Downes gave his side the lead before half-time and the talented youngster sealed the points when finishing from close range from a free-kick. Askeaton Kilcornan continue their fine form and will be challenging for honours this season, there is little doubt.

Weekly Observer Division Two
Newcastle West Reserves V Knockaderry – Postponed
Feenagh V Shountrade – Postponed
Ballysteen AFC V Abbeyfeale Utd B – Postponed
A combination of no referees and unplayable pitches meant that all Division Two games were postponed.

Weekly Observer Division Three
Dromore Utd B 3-4 Askeaton-Kilcornan B
This was a game that had the rarity of two hat tricks. Ethan O’Brien gave Dromore United an early 2-0 lead before another consistent goal scorer, Tyrique Harte, pulled one back to 2-1 at half-time. Harte would equalise in the second half but O’Brien would restore Dromore’s lead when completing his own treble. Not to be outdone, Harte tied this clash up in the closing stages. Mike Boyce then headed home a James O’Shaughnessy to give Askeaton-Kilcornan their first win over Dromore at the third attempt.

Kilcolman Rovers A-A Glantine
This game was abandoned at half-time as the ground in Ardagh had become unplayable.



FAI Junior Cup 4^th Round draw:
Usher Celtic v Rathkeale
Drinagh Rangers or Coachford v Askeaton Kilcornan – ties to be played on week ending 26^th November.
Following wins over Fairgreen Celtic (Clare) and Newcastle West Town last weekend, Rathkeale and Askeaton Kilcornan were both handed away ties in round four.

Limerick Desmond Youths Cup 1^st Round
Rathkeale 0-3 Shountrade
Goals from Ewan Murray, Sean O’Donoghue and Sam McCarthy Ryan were on target as Shountrade eased into the second round.

Abbeyfeale Utd 1-3 Glin Rovers
Goals from Conor Mulvihill and Aidan Healy (2) gave Glin Rovers progress into the last eight of the Desmond Youths Cup. Rovers were two in front at the midway point, United did cut the deficit but Healy sealed the win late in the game. This tie was played under lights, at Mike Hanley Park, Clounreask.

JAKO Munster Youths Cup 3^rd Round
Shountrade 4-2 Glin Rovers
A Tim Collins brace a Dean McCarthy Murphy effort and a clinching strike from Ewan Murray catapulted Shountrade into the latter stages of this Munster Youths competitions. Callum Buckley and Conor Fitzgerald were on target for Rovers.