Desmond League: Rathkeale and Newcastle West Town bag important wins

The return of the Premier Division was halted by weather last weekend, this week saw a brace of games played, while there was plenty of action in the lower divisions.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Rathkeale 8-1 Abbeyfeale United
The result of this Premier Division clash was obvious by half-time, at which point Rathkeale had opened up a three-goal lead. Key to their challenge was Seamus O’Carroll, who helped himself to four goals, including three in the opening half. Alan O’Shea was also on target to open up a 4-1 interval advantage. Further goals from Eoin Barry, O’Carroll and a Dean Maune brace helped the home side to an important three points. Rathkeale close the gap to Creeves Celtic, with their loss to Celtic the only difference after four games.

Breska Rovers 0-1 Newcastle West Town
Newcastle West Town showed their defensive prowess to get beyond an out-of-form Breska Rovers in Clarina. Jamie Keane’s strike mid-way through the first half was the difference, his low effort from just outside the area giving Newcastle West the lead, somewhat against the run of play. Breska went close in the second-half, when Karl Buckley hit the post with a curled free-kick, while Keane grazed the bar at the other end. Mike O’Keeffe helped Town over the line with an experienced display at the heart of his sides defence. It is back-to-back wins for Kieran Shanahan’s charges, moving them third at this early juncture. Breska Rovers remain bottom, yet to register a point or a goal in three outings.

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Final
Glin Rovers V Athea Utd – Postponed

Weekly Observer Division One
Shannonside 4-0 Rathkeale B
There was a comfortable win for Shannonside, courtesy of goals from Aaron Hanlon, Martin Fitzgerald’s brace and Adam Bennett. Fitzgerald was on target from the penalty spot as Rathkeale B’s woes continued. Shannonside haven’t yet reached the heights of last season, where they were runners-up, but this three points is welcomed after suffering a defeat to Ballingarry last weekend. Shannonside move into mid-table. Rathkeale remain seventh, with Glin Rovers B propping them up.

Dromore Utd 0-1 Ballingarry
Both of these sides will have a firm eye for the league title, and having identical records coming into this (won 3, lost 1), there was an early season six-pointer feeling to it. While the loss will hurt Dromore, they have plenty of time to recover. A goal from Aaron Smith, after a fine David Geary corner was enough for Ballingarry to go home with the three points. With a Cup final to come near the end of the month, results like this will grow confidence at the right time.  

St. Itas 2-1 Askeaton-Kilcornan
St. Ita’s have shown they are firmly in the promotion picture in their early season form and they reaffirmed this with a come-from-behind win over Askeaton-Kilcornan. Trailing to a 51^st minute Matt Moane effort, the Ashford men replied quickly through Jason Sheehan, just four minutes later. The scoring was completed with a strike on the hour mark, as Tony McCarthy found what proved to be the winner.

Ita’s move up to second, still unbeaten after five outings. They’ve certainly put themselves in the picture alongside the perceived favourites in the second-tier.

Granagh Utd V Glin Rovers B – Postponed

Weekly Observer Division Two
Ballingarry B 5-1 Shountrade
Ballingarry B had much too quality for neighbours Shountrade, with a 5-1 success on Sunday afternoon. Stephen Browne had a brace, Darren Geary, Alan Cronin and Francis Kiely were also on target at they collected another three points.

Newcastle West Town Reserves 2-0 Abbeyfeale Utd B
Goals from Tony Quaid and Dylan Singh kept Newcastle West’s second string at the summit of the third tier. Having lost to Ballysteen just prior to the Christmas break, this was an ideal result as they seek an immediate return to Division One. Abbeyfeale United B are alongside a number of sides who’ll need to post points soon before a relegation battle develops.

Knockaderry 0-2 Feenagh
This clash looked to be heading towards a stalemate, but two goals in the closing stages gave Feenagh a first win of 2023/2024. Having struggled to field in the earlier part of the season, they are now off the mark in Division Two. David Boyce and Cian O’Connor were both on target, with the latter setting up the breakthrough goal. Knockaderry remain third, but have now lost three of their five games.

Weekly Observer Division Three
Glantine B 0-5 Breska Rovers B
It was an ideal Saturday evening for Breska Rovers B, who had too much for basement side, Glantine B. Goals from Orin Garvey and Adam Kellett set them on their way, while second half goals via an own goal and a brace from sub Ethan Keyes eased them to victory. With the divisional cup final on the horizon, it was a welcomed three-points for the Clarina men.

Askeaton-Kilcornan B 2-1 Kilcolman Rovers
Goals from Mike Boyce and Alex Ryan gave Askeaton Kilcornan a commanding interval lead, and despite conceding in the second half, they were able to hold on for a narrow win. Division Three has no clear favourite, as the midway point approaches, this result a welcomed three points for the new amalgamation.

Carrig Celtic v Dromore Utd B – Postponed

Youths Division 1 Semi Final 1^st Leg
Dromore Utd 2-3 Broadford Utd
Broadford United took the first leg advantage in the Youths semi-final with a 3-2 win.

Youths Division 1 Semi Final 2^nd Leg
Abbeyfeale Utd 4-4 Askeaton-Kilcornan (Askeaton Kilcornan win 10-5 on aggregate)
Needing to net four without reply to level the tie, Abbeyfeale United were able to hold up one side of the bargain, but their 6-1 reverse in Askeaton before Christmas meant that they were always behind the eight-ball. Askeaton-Kilcornan march to the final. Zach Birdthistle (3) and John Connors on target for Askeaton Kilcornan.