Desmond League: Premier Division League Cup semi-finals down for decision

A place in the Premier Division League Cup final is on offer with a brace of semi-final clashes taking place this week.

On Tuesday, holders Rathkeale put their title on the line against Glin Rovers. The Deelsiders qualified second in-group two. A 5-0 victory over Abbeyfeale United was built on with a draw against Newcastle West Town – crucially they won the penalty shootout to progress. Their final group game, away to Athea United, saw them fall to a 1-0 loss, but that wasn’t of major significance.

Since then, Keith Hartnett’s side have secured two Premier Division League victories, over Breska Rovers and Broadford United, both 2-0, with four different goal scorers.

Hartnett will look to Gary Enright, Seamus O’Carroll and Michael Mulcahy in attack, while Eoin Barry and goalkeeper Aaron Hogan are likely to be key at the back.

Glin Rovers are looking to go one better than last year, where they were runners-up to Rathkeale. The won Group A this time around, thanks to wins over Breska Rovers (2-0), Broadford United (1-0) while they salvaged a draw late on against Creeves Celtic, 2-2.

Sean Normile’s charges have since lost to Creeves Celtic and Abbeyfeale United in league action, which sandwiched a scoreless draw against Broadford United. Rovers also appeared in the Desmond Cup final last May, losing out to Dromore United on penalties.

Rovers will look to Ajay Behan, John Wallace and Paul Sheahan in attack, while Mike Stack is one of the most experienced goalkeepers around. Tadgh and Gary Culhane could be key to halting Rathkeale.

Jack Hennessey’s goal was the difference in the final last year, 2-1, and we can expect another tight affair between two of the most consistent sides in Desmond League football.

On Thursday, Athea United and Breska Rovers will look to book their final spot. Athea were fastest out of the traps and won their group with a perfect record. A narrow, but deserved win over Newcastle West Town (3-2) was followed up by a 7-2 win away to Abbeyfeale United. A 1-0 success over Rathkeale completed the group series.

Clarina outfit Breska Rovers are appearing in the latter stages of this competition for the first time in at least 20 years. Having lost out to Glin Rovers on opening day, 2-0, a draw with Creeves Celtic left their destiny out of their hands.

A 5-1 success away to Broadford United was only good enough if Creeves failed to win. A late Glin goal denied Celtic and thus, Breska reached the last four.

An exit from the Munster Junior Cup on penalties away to Drinagh Rangers (West Cork), was followed up by defeats to Rathkeale and Creeves Celtic on the road, all without finding the net.

Manager Aodhgann Behan will hope his charges can raise their level in what looks very much a 50-50 contest.
Key in defence are long-serving keeper James Purcell and captain Kevin Foster, while Keith Punch and Scott Quaide are in the engine room. Veteran Keith McNicholas is among their attacking threats. 

Breska’s most recent cup success was in 2022, the Division One League Cup win over Shannonside, while Athea missed out in the same competition this time last year, to Dromore United.

Both games have a 7.30pm start (Tuesday and Thursday) with extra-time and penalties on the agenda should the 90 minutes fail to find a winner.

Meanwhile, the tiers below, Ballingarry will face Askeaton Kilcornan in what promises to be a quality Division One League Cup final.

In Division Two, the semi-final pairings were only known since last weekend. Ballingarry B will meet Shountrade, while Knockaderry will meet Newcastle West Town Reserves.

Neighbours Dromore United B and Breska Rovers B will meet in the Division Three decider. United were edged out by Ballysteen in last year’s decider. It is a first final appearance for Breska Rovers B in their current guise.