Desmond League: Rathkeale and Creeves among sides into Desmond Cup last eight

With everybody praying for good weather, there was thankfully minimal impact on fixtures as Sunday’s rain came right as the action got underway. Players will be gearing up for a frantic final couple of months of the season, with plenty of Cup football now running alongside the bread and butter of the league action.

Weekly Observer Desmond Cup 1^st Round
Granagh Utd 4-1 Glin Rovers B
Granagh United progressed through their opening round tie courtesy of goals from Paudie Murphy, Con Dillon, Dan Shelton and Adam Hourigan. In reply came a penalty from Cian Culhane, while the game was a memorable one for youngster Hourigan, who netted on his junior debut. A home tie with neighbours Feenagh awaits United.

Weekly Observer Desmond Cup 2^nd Round
Breska Rovers 4-0 Askeaton-Kilcornan B
There was to be no upset in Clarina as Premier Division basement side Breska Rovers had too much for Askeaton Kilcornan B. Mark Moroney opened the scoring after 12 minutes, while there was further efforts in the first half, via an own goal, Scott Quaide and Leigh Doolan. The visitors didn’t give in, and will be happy with a shutout in the second half, with keeper Chris Kenny pulling off a number of saves as the rain came down. Glin Rovers are the quarter-final opposition for Rovers.

Broadford Utd 5-2 Askeaton-Kilcornan
Despite a lightning fast start which saw Broadford ease into a 3-0 lead, they were pegged back to 3-2 quite quickly and didn’t shake the Division One challenge until late in the contest. Alan Fitzpatrick, Seán Brosnan and Jack Pierce all netted inside the opening twenty minutes, before Kenneth O’Donoghue and Colm O’Flaherty reduced the gap before the half-hour. It remained this way until late in the piece, when Michael Brosnan and Adam O’Kelly killed the visitors hope. An away tie with Creeves awaits.

Carrig Celtic 1-3 Glin Rovers
There was a true cup tie in Carrigkerry, as Glin Rovers were given a right scare by the Division Three league leaders. It look late goals from John Wallace and Gary Culhane (penalty) to see last years runners-up progress. Leading 1-0 via an own goal, Glin were pegged back to leave it level at half-time. Wallace and Culhane broke an experience Celtic side late on, to set up a clash with Breska Rovers, who’ve met twice in cup competitions already this season. Two red cards for Carrig Celtic didn’t help matters as they looked to cause an upset.

Newcastle West Town 0-1 Creeves Celtic
Having lost in Newcastle only a few short weeks ago, Creeves Celtic were out for some retribution against fellow Premier Division opposition. Creeves were marginally the superior side over a very competitive 90 minutes. Kevin Meade’s effort proved the difference, meaning Celtic move into the last eight, which hasn’t been a regular occurrence despite their good form in recent years.

Dromore Utd 2-2 Newcastle West Town Reserves (Abandoned due to unplayable pitch at 90 mins)
Unfortunately, with this game heading for extra-time, referee Eugene Nunan took the decision to abandon the game, with the pitch unplayable. Ryan Kelly and Sean Hartigan netted for the home side, while Josh Joyce got both for the Reserves, his second forced extra-time, despite having been reduced to 10 men. A new fixture will be arranged in due course.

Rathkeale 1-0 Abbeyfeale Utd
Another all-Premier Division clash saw Rathkeale shade it with old rivals Abbeyfeale. Having thumped Abbey in the League in January, it was unlikely that Rathkeale would have it as easy this time. It took a goal from Jack Hennessey to separate the sides. The winners move into the last eight, where they will meet with Breska Rovers B or Abbeyfeale United B.

Riedy Cup 1^st Round

St. Itas 3-0 Ballysteen (Walkover)
Ballysteen were unable to field, again, and St. Ita’s move into round two, where they are away to Shountrade.

Riedy Cup 2^nd Round
Abbeyfeale Utd B 0-3 Shannonside
Goals from Aaron Hanlon, Pedro Tavares and Adam Bennett ensured a comfortable win for Shannonside. They are now into the quarter-final, where they will host Glin Rovers B.

Feenagh 1-2 Ballingarry B
Brian Fitzgerald and Darran Geary had goals in either half for Ballingarry, but a goal in the final quarter from Feenagh set up a nervy finish. The B’s prevailed to set up a meeting against their friends from the A team in the quarter-final. This also happened with their Ladies team in recent weeks.

Weekly Observer Division 1
Ballingarry 5-1 Rathkeale B
Putting their hand firmly up towards promotion, Ballingarry moved four clear at the top of Division One, thanks to a comfortable win over Rathkeale B. Leading 2-0 at the midway point, they added three more after the restart to brush visitors. Adam Hickey, Mark Danaher, Eoin Lynch, Aaron Smith and Mike Molloy spread the goals around.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Mountcollins 5-1 Shountrade
There was a routine win for Mountcollins, to move them into third spot in the third tier. Goals from Timmy Begley (2), James Brouder, Conor Healy and Micah O’Connell saw them collect a third win of the league season and move just a point behind the promotion spot (2^nd). Shountrade’s woes continue, winless through five games, only Abbeyfeale United B are keeping them off the bottom.

Weekly Observer Division 3
Kilcolman Rovers 3-1 Glantine (Played in Glantine)
This game was moved to Glantine, though losing home advantage didn’t bother Kilcolman. It is now back-to-back league wins against Glantine, having beaten their B team by the same scoreline, at the same venue, in early February. Mikey Sullivan’s brace and Sean Ryan’s effort were enough, as Glantine had two men sent off.  

Dromore Utd B P-P Breska Rovers B

Youths Division One Semi Final 2^nd Leg
Broadford Utd 2-2 Dromore Utd (Broadford win 5-4 on aggregate)
Broadford progressed to the final, where the will meet Askeaton Kilcornan, they led 2-0 in this clash, before Dromore rallied, but couldn’t force extra-time.

Limerick Desmond U17s Cup 1^st Round
Rathkeale 1-6 Breska Rovers
A brace each from Max White and Timmy McCormack eased Breska Rovers into the 2^nd round, at the expense of a very young Rathkeale side.

Youths Division One League Cup
Askeaton Kilcornan 5-1 Broadford Utd
Five different scorers saw Askeaton Kilcornan collect the three points – John Connors, Jack Doran, Finn O’Gorman, Thomas McCarthy and Zach Birdthistle helping the hosts to victory.

Newcastle West Town P-P Abbeyfeale Utd

Youths Division Two League Cup
Breska Rovers 0-5 Glin Rovers
Glin Rovers returned to the pitch with a win over Breska Rovers. Once the home side were reduced to 10, Glin took complete control and ran out comfortable winners.

Kilcolman Rovers P-P Feenagh

Youths Division Three League Cup
Rathkeale 0-9 Ballingarry
Athea Utd 1-3 Shountrade