Desmond League Round-Up: Athea, Creeves and Rathkeale pick up wins

Once again, the Irish weather had its say on the majority of Limerick Desmond League action, however, some pitches just about survived with five games taking place on Sunday. Elsewhere, there was a cup finalist confirmed in the Division Three League Cup.

The new-look Premier Division promises to be the most wide open for many years, with a handful of sides realistically having a say in where the silverware will end. With champions Broadford United not in action, there was a chance for the rest to post some early season points.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Rathkeale 2-0 Breska Rovers
Having fell to an opening day loss to Creeves, this game was of big importance to Rathkeale. They shaded a game that was spoiled by the elements and eventually got the breakthrough. Substitute John Fitzgerald found it. The lively winger arrowing an effort into the top corner from around 25 yards with the game entering the closing stages. Before that, neither side had looked like scoring too often, with Breska going closest though Keith Punch and Seamus O’Carroll looking dangerous for the hosts. O’Carroll closed out the scoring at the death, finishing a swift counter attack with a fine effort from around 35-yards.

Glin Rovers 1-2 Creeves Celtic
It took a late, late goal from recently crowned Hurler of the Year, Aaron Gillane to give Creeves Celtic their second victory of the league season. The attacker was making his first appearance of the season and maintains Creeves 100% record. Glin, who were playing their first appearance of the season will have thought they’d done enough for a point. James O’Connor opened the scoring after just 10 minutes but the home side replied within two minutes, with an own goal levelling this contest. Gillane found the net late on, having been sprung from the bench for the last 20 minutes.

Athea United 2-0 Abbeyfeale United
Athea United’s long awaited return to top table football arrived against neighbours, Abbeyfeale United at the Vales on Sunday morning. A goal in either half would catapult them to the three points against an Abbey side who are yet to find their feet this season. There is little doubt that Athea will cause plenty of problems for the established sides in this new-look eight team top tier. Daire O’Shea after 22 minutes gave them the advantage before Darren Murphy put them in firm control with twenty minutes remaining, Peter O’Connor providing the assist having come in from the bench.

Weekly Observer Division One
Shannonside 2-2 St. Ita’s
It ended honours even in Shanagolden as, after a late switch of venue, this second tier clash went ahead. St. Ita’s were able to forget their nightmare of last weekend, but twice let a lead slip. Jack Long and Jason Sheehan found the net for the visitors but Declan Lane’s penalty and Dan Conroy pegged them back on both occasions.

Weekly Observer Division Three
Carrig Celtic 2-1 Glantine B
Seanie King and Cyprian Myska gave Carrig an early two goal buffer but it was just one at half-time as Glantine pulled a goal back. The visitors were unable to level this clash and claim their first points of the season. Celtic, for now at least, move to the top of the table with seven points from three games.

Weekly Observer Division Three League Cup Semi Final
Dromore Utd B 3-0 Glantine
Ethan O’Brien helped himself to another two goals, this time as Dromore United booked their place in the fourth-tier cup decider. Davey Collins also found the net, on an evening where last years beaten finalists proved too strong for Glantine. Breska Rovers B or Askeaton Kilcornan B will provide the opposition.

Limerick Desmond Youths Cup 1st Round
Breska Rovers 2-4 Broadford Utd
Freddie O’Connor and Tommy Lynch accounted for the Breska goals, with them initially opening the scoring. Goals from Ryan Sheehan and Ollie Brudair set United on their way before Lynch levelled this game. A close range effort from Jack Hogan restored the lead before Cian Purcell denied them an insurance goal by saving a penalty from Adam O’Kelly. However, it was Ryan Shiels who had the final say with a goal, deep, deep into stoppage time.

FAI Youths Cup 3rd Round
Castlebar Celtic 5-3 Askeaton-Kilcornan
Despite goals from Finn O’Gorman, Michael-James Harty and Zach Birdthistle, Askeaton Kilcornan exited the national competition against one of the strongest clubs in Connacht. Castlebar did enough and made home advantage count.

Bridge Utd 10-0 Granagh Utd
An afternoon to forget for Granagh away to Bridge United, who proved much too strong.

Youths Division 2 Shield Semi Final 2nd Leg
Glantine 0-3 Shountrade
A walkover means that Shountrade progress to the Shield final with a 6-0 aggregate win. Ballingarry, meanwhile, are also into the final after an aggregate win over Askeaton Kilcornan B, 8-0.