Desmond League Round-Up: Cup progress for Breska Rovers and Rathkeale

Once again, there was a mixture of competitions across the Desmond League with seven of Sunday’s junior ties surviving the heavy rainfall which was only draining from the grass early on Sunday morning.

Nevertheless, there was a number of matters settled in the divisional cups. Semi-final combinations are now known in both division’s One and Three, while the semi-finalists were established in the Premier Division.


Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Group A
Broadford Utd 1-5 Breska Rovers
In a must win game for the visitors they made absolutely sure with a dominant display. Goals have been in short enough supply for the Clarina men but they took their chances against an under strength Broadford side. Goals from Scott Quaide and Mark Moroney (penalty) had Rovers 2-0 up after 35 minutes. Striker Karl Buckley produced two fine finishes early in the second half, as Breska pulled clear. His replacement, Leigh Doolan added further gloss. Killian Lynch netted a consolation in the final quarter.

The win, coupled with Creeves’ inability to take the points away to Glin, means Breska and Glin progress from Group A.

Glin Rovers 2-2 Creeves Celtic (Glin win 4-2 on penalties)
Already assured of their place at the top of this group, Glin would have had little motivation against Creeves. However, trailing late in the contest, they found a leveller which ultimealty knocks Celtic out of the competition and ensures an unbeaten group phase for the men in red and black. Level at half-time, 1-1, after Tommy Dillane and AJ Behan exchanged strikes, Creeves took the lead through the returning Robbie Hanley. There was a late strike from Gary Culhane, which left little time for the visitors to get the victory. The penalties, which Sean Normile’s men won, were not of any value to either side.

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Group B
Rathkeale AFC 2-2 Newcastle West Town (Rathkeale win 4-2 on penalties)
A victory was the best solution for these sides to keep their interest in the League Cup alive – however, a penalty shootout victory was enough to put Rathkeale through and eliminate their rivals from back the N21. Dylan Singh had given Newcastle West the lead but they were pulled back by Michael Mulcahy early in the second half. Chris Carey then struck to put Rathkeale in front. Aaron Mullane made it 2-2, but Keith Hartnett’s men prevailed on penalties to join Athea – ahead of their final group game – in the knockout stages. Rathkeale hold onto their title for another while, at least.

Athea (6 points) will need a draw to set up a meeting with Breska Rovers. The loser of that tie, if there is one, will face Glin Rovers. A reminder that the semi-finals are neutral.

Weekly Observer Division One League Cup Group B
Dromore Utd 3-3 Ballingarry (Dromore win 8-7 on penalties)
With both already through to the last four, this was a chance for these sides to see if they could take the scalp of the other. Pegged back three times, Dromore United eventually prevailed on penalties. Sean Hartigan and Oran Kelly scored for the hosts with Aaron Smith levelling in between. The same player made it 2-2 but Ciaran Deegan put United 3-2 up at the break. Dean Clancy ensured an unbeaten group phase with a superbly struck free-kick to make it three each. The penalty shootout win means Dromore United will face Askeaton-Kilcornan while Ballingarry will face Group A winners, Shannonside.

Weekly Observer Division Two League Cup Group B
Shountrade AFC P-P Ballysteen
Knockaderry AFC P-P Abbeyfeale Utd B

Both of these cup ties were postponed on Saturday evening with both home venues unplayable.

Weekly Observer Division Three League Cup Group B
Dromore Utd B 4-0 Askeaton-Kilcornan B
With both sides already through, this was merely playing for places. Dromore had won the return fixture and made it two-from-two against their neighbours with an emphatic victory in Kildimo. Ethan O’Brien (2), Davey Collins and Thomas Kiely on target – three of those arriving in the second half.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Abbeyfeale Utd P-P Athea Utd
The wait for the start of the Premier Division must go on, with Riverside Park unplayable for the clash of these neighbours.

Weekly Observer Division One
Askeaton-Kilcornan P-P Glin Rovers B
Askeaton was unplayable for this tie.

Weekly Observer Division Two
Mountcollins 1-2 Newcastle West Town Reserves
Newcastle West Reserves got out on the right side of a game with three goals played in dry weather in Mountcollins. Prince Moyo’s double enough for Town.

Weekly Observer Division Three
Carrig Celtic 1-1 Breska Rovers B
A late Barry O’Connor strike ensured a share of the spoils for the visitors who’d trailed 1-0 at half-time. The reliable Seanie King had opened the scoring for Celtic.

Limerick Desmond Youths Cup 1^st Round
Newcastle West Town 5-3 Granagh Utd
For a third game in a row, Newcastle West Town’s U18 side had to go to extra-time, but unlike those games against Dromore United, they kicked on and got the victory. Cathal Hayes netted a hat-trick while Diarmuid Lyons and Josh Joyce were also on target. The eventually pulled clear having been pegged back three times in the 90 minutes.

FAI Youths Cup 2^nd Round
Askeaton-Kilcornan 3-1 Dromore Utd
A Zach Birdthistle treble helped Askeaton Kilcornan into round three against neighbours Dromore United.

Granagh Utd 4-3 Shountrade (AET)
Despite trailing 3-0 after just 30 minutes, Granagh United showed great resolve and no shortage of quality to turn the tables on Shountrade. Adam Hourigan cut the lead to two on 41 minutes, with Darragh O’Carroll netting a second for the hosts on 51 minutes. Luke Hourigan forced extra-time with 15 to play before Jack McMahon put them in front on 95 minutes. They held on for the remainder to march through to the 3^rd round.

Youths Division 2 Semi Final 1^st Leg
Glin Rovers 3-2 Feenagh
Glin Rovers took the advantage for the second leg thanks to goals from Conor Fitzgerald, Caolam Moriaty’s penalty and a strike from Aidan Healy. Home advantage will give Feenagh home in the return fixture.