Desmond League Round-Up: Broadford suffer first League loss, Dromore United win Desmond Cup derby clash

Another fascinating weekend of Desmond League action took place over the Easter weekend. There was missed opportunities at the top of a couple of Divisions, with all four Divisions possibly going all the way to the final round. A reminder that a play-off would be needed if two or more sides were deadlocked after all the League games were played.

In the Cups, there was another scalp for Dromore United, who once again showed their Cup prowess, meaning that at least two of the final four in the Desmond Cup will be non-Premier Division sides in the hat – Dromore United and Feenagh.

Weekly Observer Desmond Cup (Quarter Final)
Dromore Utd 3-0 Kilcornan
A local derby with a huge prize on offer. A first ever clash of Dromore United and Kilcornan took place in Pallaskenry on Sunday morning. Billy O’Sullivan’s side add to the Premier Division exits to lower-division opposition. Kilcornan join Granagh United (against Shannonside B), Broadford United (Feenagh) and Abbeyfeale United (Dromore United) in exiting this competition in this manner. Indeed, it’s a third win over Premier Division opposition for Dromore United, who hammered Ballingarry 10-2 way back in September.

Their fast, efficient start to this tie in Pallaskenry secured the victory. Ciaran Deegan, Tiernan Meaney and Ciaran Galvin were all on target. Kilcornan’s tight squad were unable to back-up last weekends league win at home to Creeves Celtic. Their focus now turns to surviving in the Premier Division, which they were promoted to as Division One champions in 2018/19.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Abbeyfeale Utd 0-0 Breska Rovers
Visitors Breska Rovers missed the opportunity to go joint-top of the table, as they played out a goalless draw with Abbeyfeale United. But for few negative results around the turn of the year, Abbeyfeale would perhaps be right in the mix to defend their title. However, John Kellihers charges will have to be content with a top half finish at this stage. This clash was a tight affair, naturally, but both sides created openings. Abbeyfeale had a brace of efforts, one in either half, cleared off the line. One of those was cleared by Ethan Keyes, and he perhaps had the best chance of the contest, but saw his effort saved by the home keeper. Ultimately, the result was a fair one, with the Clarina side happy to be in the top few placings heading into the final third of the season.

Creeves Celtic 3-2 Broadford Utd
If there was any doubt to the overall competitiveness to this seasons top flight, it was proven by Creeves Celtic at home to, until now, unbeaten Broadford. Indeed, the men in maroon hadn’t experienced such a feeling in league action since early 2020. Their impressive run came to an end when Creeves took a deserved home win to move out of the bottom three for the first time this season. The result will have a number of teams on high alert, especially Ballingarry, who drop into the relegation zone. Creeves join Newcastle West on 16 points, albeit with an extra game played.

Captain Tommy Dillane put Celtic a goal to the good at the interval. They would double the lead when Eoin McEnery found the net in the third quarter. Jack Pierce halved the lead midway through the second half before McEnery restored the two-goal buffer with his second. There was a late goal from Liam O’Shaughnessy, but time ran out for Jim Neenan’s side who host Breska Rovers next weekend in a battle of 3^rd v 2^nd.

Weekly Observer Division 1
Rathkeale B 0-4 Shannonside
There was a possibility before this game that Shannonside would relinquish their pursuit of the title to Athea. But, thanks to a convincing win, they are now still amongst it. With two games to play for Mike Aherne’s men, they have a slim chance. They must defeat Athea in their upcoming clash, and hope that back-to-back promotion chasing Athea slip up. Athea host Dromore United next weekend, while they also have to play Rathkeale B. Shannonside also have a trip away to St. Ita’s. A reminder that only the champions are promoted this season, due to the League restructure.

Their victory here was with thanks to a Martin Fitzgerald hat-trick. He had them 1-0 up at half-time. The points were nearly secured when Adam Bennett netted just beyond the hour mark. Fitzgerald’s penalty removed any doubt of the win, before he dispatched a fine third, from near the half-way line, to round out a routine, but important win.

Reidy Cup (Quarter Final)
St. Itas 0-2 Ballingarry B
Ballingarry B moved into the last four of this long-running Cup competition thanks to two goal win over St. Ita’s. Despite operating a division lower, Ballingarry’s overall form would have meant they’d have fancied their chances. They still look more likely than not to miss out on the Division Two title, but Tirenan Fitzgerald and Jamie Ryan goals meant they may still secure some honours this campaign.

Reidy Cup (2^nd Round)
Newcastle West Town Reserves 2-3 Askeaton AFC
Scoreless at the break, this battle of two current Division One sides burst into life in the second period. Stephen Smith opened the scoring on 50 minutes, before the home side wasted a penalty. They were made pay when Cian Smith and Pete Harty both found the net, the latter from the penalty spot. There was a late revival from Newcastle West Town, Tony Quaid and Saoirse Joyce added to their seasonal tally, but they ran out of time and exit the Cup.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Abbeyfeale Utd B 3-1 Glin Rovers B
On Saturday evening Glin Rovers passed up the first opportunity for a side to secure a league title this season. They were far from the standard required against an opposition that will be very familiar too them. Indeed, credit must goto Abbeyfeale United B, who are out of the running for the title but turned in a winning display to keep Ballingarry B in the hunt. Efforts from Dylan Murphy, Jack Quinlivan and John Sexton did the damage from the home side. Cian Culhane was on target for Rovers.

Mountcollins AFC 4-0 Glantine
James Brouder, Michael Collins, Micah O’Connell and Timmy Beagle were all on target in a clash that was likely to see the loser relegated to Division Three. As a result, with win outing remaining, Glantine drop to the bottom tier, as they are now four points behind their near neighbours. It has been a disappointing season overall for both sides, but Mountcollins have found some impetus in recent weeks to save their place in the third tier.

Weekly Observer Division 3
Shannonside B 0-1 Ballysteen
Colm O’Flaherty settled this clash of bottom-v-top, when he rifled home the only goal of the game to break down a resolute Shannonside B. The boys in green are now a step closer to the League title, with a brace of games remaining.

Broadford Utd B 1-3 Feenagh
Hot on the heels of the League leaders are Feenagh. After last weeks cup heroics against Broadford’s Premier side, there was a role reversal for Feenagh, who’d have been much more fancied to defeat midtable Broadford United B. Bobby Donegan opened the scoring after 12 minutes. Broadford B equalised approaching the half-hour mark, via Danny Mullane. Ronan O’Connor netted early in the second half to restore the lead, and he turned provider for Ryan O’Gorman made it 3-1 just six minutes later. They now remain two points behind Ballysteen, to whom they visit in the coming weeks, in what may prove to be a winner take all clash.

Dromore Utd B v Breska Rovers B – scheduled for 6pm on Monday, April 10^th, in Clarina

Youths Division 1
Dromore United claimed the final Youths Division league title, thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory away to neighbours, Breska Rovers. In a season heavily blighted by walkovers, this represents a first league title for the merger of Kildimo Pallaskenry. They pip Newcastle West Town to the title. The Desmond Youths Cup remains up for grabs in the coming weeks.