Desmond League Round-Up: Athea United march on

The Limerick Desmond League Junior season returned last week. Week one saw Premier Division wins for Athea United, Abbeyfeale United, Glin Rovers and Broadford United.

There has been a subdued start to the season, with many sides short of key personnel at present. However, things will start to ramp up in the coming weeks, as sides enter the various Munster and FAI run competitions, as well as the knockout placings in the cup competitions.

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Group B
Abbeyfeale Utd 2-7 Athea Utd
Athea United backed up their 3-2 win over Newcastle West with another over Abbeyfeale, to put one foot in the semi-finals. The home side are short a number of key men at the moment but Athea were full value for the victory. Leading 4-0 at half-time, Athea coasted to victory with Kevin Murphy, Eoin O’Shea, Mark Horgan, Danny Stack, Andrew Riordan, TJ Hunt and Andy Ahern all on target. Not too often do you see seven different goalscorers!

Weekly Observer Division 1 League Cup Group A
Shannonside FC 5-1 Granagh Utd
Shannonside backed up a narrow win last week with a much more comfortable victory this time around. Leading 3-1 at the 45 minute mark the home side killed the game with two more goals in the second half. The impressive Adam Bennett netted a hat-trick while AJ Moroney bagged a brace for the winners. Shannonside are into the last four as group winners with a game to spare.

Askeaton/Kilcornan 4-0 Rathkeale B
Askeaton Kilcornan picked up their first victory as a Junior A team. Having merged the storied clubs together, both are hoping to ignite something special after something of a lean few years along this part of the N69. Goals from Ken O’Donoghue, Matt Moane and a Stephen Smith double helped them back into the picture in group A, having lose out to Shannonside last weekend.

Weekly Observer Division 2 League Cup Group A
Ballingarry B 2-1 Newcastle West Town Reserves
Ballingarry B moved onto six points, as they turned the tables on Newcastle West Town’s second string. Josh Joyce had NCW leading 1-0 at half-time, but two strikes, the first a fine Phillip Padong header and a second from Cuan Leahy turned the result around. This was Ballingarry’s first outing having received a walkover last weekend.

Weekly Observer Division 2 League Cup Group B
Ballysteen AFC 0-6 Knockaderry AFC
Knockaderry have had a testing few years so any such victory is welcomed. A Jack Roche treble as well as goals from John O’Sullivan, Enda Moran, Evan Lenihan eased them beyond a depleted Ballysteen.

Weekly Observer Division 3 League Cup Group A
Breska Rovers B 3-1 Kilcolman Rovers
Kilcolman are a welcome addition back to the league after a lengthy absence at junior level. They came up short in Clarina as goals from Nathan Sheehan and brace from Orin Garvey, including a penalty, helped the hosts over the line. This was level 1-1 at half-time, after Kilcolman had seen a penalty saved.

Glantine A 1-0 Carrig Celtic
This game played on Saturday evening went the way of the home side. A second-half goal from Aidan O’Connor, from close range, was enough. It was an even contest overall, though Glantine enjoyed the better of the second period.

Weekly Observer Division 3 League Cup Group B
Askeaton/Kilcornan B 1-4 Dromore Utd B
Goals from Kevin Madden (penalty), Darren O’Connell, Davy Fitzgerald and Aaron O’Donovan helped Dromore United claim the three points against their near neighbours.

(Clubs are requested by the Limerick Desmond League to submit their reports, scorers and details to both joint PRO’s, Tom Clancy and Pat Mulvihill, as soon as possible after their game each Sunday)