Desmond League Round-Up: Creeves Celtic and Newcastle West claim big wins as Askeaton Kilcornan progress in FAI

The weather has finally allowed a near full round of action in the Limerick Desmond League, as the early rounds of the league action gives us some ideas as to who will be in the mix in the four divisions. There was also a brace of west Limerick sides in action in the FAI Junior Cup, which was in the national stage for the first time this season.

FAI Junior Cup 4^th Round
Usher Celtic 3-2 Rathkeale (AET)
It took extra-time for Dublin outfit Usher Celtic to get the better of Rathkeale. The sides couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes as goals from Thomas Qulligan and Eoin Barry twice had Rathkeale on level terms. In the end, a penalty in the extra time period proved the undoing for Rathkeale.

FAI Junior Cup 4^th Round
Drinagh Rangers 1-3 Askeaton-Kilcornan
Scoreless at half-time, the Limerick side wrestled control of the tie with two goals in the third quarter. An own goal and Sam Duggan had them in a strong position, before Rangers pilled one back with 20 minutes remaining. Cathal Downes sealed the win and a 5^th round tie when he restored the two goal margin.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Creeves Celtic 4-0 Breska Rovers
Continuing their fine start to the season, Creeves Celtic posted a third win on the bounce thanks to, in the end, a comfortable win over Breska Rovers. The visitors will rue a host of missed opportunities, but Celtic led from the 2^nd minute all the way through. Eoin McEnery opened the scoring with the first opening of the day. It remained 1-0 until beyond the hour mark, with Bryan Griffin hitting the crossbar coming closest to the equaliser when his header crashed off the post. That was punished when Aaron Gillane buried to the net from a corner, the same man made it 3-0 before Rovers had a man sent off. The final say went to midfielder James O’Connor, who capped a fine morning at the Thatch. Creeves have now beaten the sides who finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in 2022/23, and will surely be in the shake up for the title come the spring.


Athea Utd 0-5 Newcastle West Town
Athea United came crashing back to reality as they fell to a heavy home loss to a revitalised Newcastle West Town side. With a much stronger squad now available to NCW, they simply swept United aside to pick up their first win of the league campaign. An early Jamie Keane effort set the Magpies on their way. Athea did control things for a spell but Aaron Mullane punished them when doubling the scoring against the run of play. Keane was on hand to double his tally after the hour mark, before Mullane also sealed a double. Dylan Moloney, who has been blighted by injury, netted the fifth.


Glin Rovers 0-0 Broadford United
A stalemate between two of last seasons top four sees them both pick up a point. Paul Sheehan was denied by visiting keeper Patrick Stack with a fine save in the first half, while Broadford rattled the crossbar late in the clash. The point gets Sean Normile’s Glin on the board while Broadford have four points from two away clashes.

Weekly Observer Division One
Dromore Utd 4-0 Shannonside
In Pallaskenry, Dromore United spread the load well and fired in two goals in either half to ease to a four-nil win. Ryan Kelly’s double as well as Sean Hartigan and Evan Guinane strikes got United off the mark in their first league outing. Shannonside have picked up just one point from their three games to date.


Rathkeale B 1-0 Glin Rovers B
Oscar Markham’s strike just after half-time was enough for Rathkeale B to claim their first points of the season.

Weekly Observer Division Two
Newcastle West Reserves 1-2 Knockaderry
Knockaderry made the short trip to Newcastle West worth it when picking up a valuable three points. Ronan Keating and Eddie Foley netted for the boys in green. Josh Joyce had equalised in the in between with a stunning free-kick. Foley’s free-kick proving the difference.

Feenagh v Shountrade – Postponed
Due to a bereavement associated with Shountrade, this tie was postponed.

Ballysteen AFC v Abbeyfeale United B – Walkover to Abbeyfeale United B
Ballysteen were unable to field and Abbeyfeale pick up the three points.

Weekly Observer Division Three
Glantine B 2-7 Dromore Utd B
Played under lights on Saturday evening, Dromore United B kick-started their Division Three league campaign with a comfortable win over Glantine. Ethan O’Brien netted another hat-trick, while Martin Neville (penalty), Darragh Mullane, Shaun O’Connor and an own goal gave them a routine win. The visitors led 3-0 at the interval against this experimental Glantine side.

Carrig Celtic 5-0 Kilcolman Rovers
This game was switched to Carrigkerry, and Carrig Celtic took advantage. Celtic are moving nicely and goals from Brian Foley, Cyprian Myszka, Anthony Molyneaux put them three up at the midway point. Jack Sullivan and Jordan Ryan cemented their spot at the top of the Division, and the bragging rights against their near neighbours.

Weekly Observer Division Three League Cup Semi Final
Breska Rovers B 1-0 Askeaton-Kilcornan B
A midweek fixture on the N69, at Mike Hanley Park, between two clubs along that same road, saw Breska Rovers B progress to the final with a 95^th minute strike from Evan McGregor. The winger converted a Kenny Power pass before Freddie Lynch saved from a late Askeaton Kilcornan effort which was deflected towards goal. Dromore United B will provide neighbourly opposition in the final.

Limerick Desmond Youths Cup Quarter Final
Askeaton-Kilcornan B v Dromore Utd – W/O to Dromore United
Dromore United are the first team into the last four of the Desmond Youths Cup. Newcaslte West Town or Askeaton Kilcornan A will provide the opposition.

Limerick Desmond Youths Cup Quarter Final
Glin Rovers 5-1 Shannonside
Glin Rovers joined Dromore in the semi-final thanks to a richly deserved victory over Shannonside, of Division One, at Mike Hanley Park. David Mulvihill bagged a fine hat-trick while Fionn McNamara and Conor Fitzgerald were also on target for the winners. They will meet either Broadford United or Shountrade for a place in the final.

FAI U17s Cup 3^rd Round
Askeaton-Kilcornan 2-3 Riverstown
Despite holding a two-nil half-time buffer, Askeaton Kilcornan bowed out of the FAI U17s Cup. Goals from Zach Birdthistle and Mark Doolan had them in a strong position, but a trio of goals without reply from a strong Riverstown side saw them progress to the fourth round. Riverstown are from the Glanmire area of Cork city.