Desmond League Round-Up: Goals Galore as FAI Cup takes centre-stage

There were goals galore with 62 goals across 12 games on Sunday afternoon. There was action across various completions with FAI Junior Cup taking precedence. The lower divisions have got underway while the remaining cup action is nearing a conclusion before the knock-out stages.

FAI Junior Cup
Five FAI Junior Cup ties featuring Desmond League sides took place this weekend. There were wins for Broadford United, Kilcornan and Dromore United. While Glin Rovers and Creeves Celtic exit the competition. Breska Rovers won their clash last weekend.

Clearly, the most surprising result of the weekend was the 10-2 thrashing over Ballingarry in the Paddocks by Division One outfit, Dromore United. The newly formed club have started the season well and after putting it up to Glin Rovers last weekend, they went miles better this weekend with an empathic victory over Premier opposition. They had eight different scorers, with Oran Kelly bagging twice. Also on the scoresheet were Jonathan McHale, Evin Kelly, Darren Walsh, Ryan Kelly, Ciaran Deegan, Sean Hartigan, Rory Cullen and Ciaran Barry. Oran Kelly set up five of those in a truly dominant display.

Kilcornan had a brace from Mark Curran and an Alan Ryan effort to thank for a 3-1 win over Bunratty Cratloe of Clare. All three goals arrived in the opening 12 minutes, a platform that would ease them to victory. Buoyed by their first win of the season last weekend, the men in red added to this with another cup success.

Liam O’Shaughnessey’s helped himself to a hat-trick as Broadford United saw off Kerry District League outfit, MEK Galaxy. The 6-3 score line was in tune with the goal fest around the region.  O’Shaughnessey (2) and a Michael Daly strike helped them to a 4-1 half-time lead and the goals continued in the second period with O’Shaughnessey and Jack Pierce helping them to eventually see off the Kerrymen.

Glin Rovers came unstuck against Clare side, Lifford. Two-free kicks, a penalty and another effort saw Keith Shea on the scoresheet four times. It was 4-0 before a Tadhg Culhane’s strike gave Rovers some consolation.

Creeves Celtic were unable to add to their Munster Junior Cup victory over Broadford and came unstuck, 1-0 at home to Kerry opposition. Tom Feehan’s second half effort broke the deadlock.  Castleisland did enough in a closely fought contest to sneak into round two.

Munster Junior Cup
The one remaining opening round tie, saw Breska Rovers prevail against Newcastle West Town on penalties. After a 4-4 draw in 90 minutes, it finished 5-5 after extra-time. Rovers won 5-4 on penalties, with Josh Moloney the hero. Before that, Karl Buckley and Seán Healy had given Breska a 2-0 half-time lead. Darragh McCarthy made it 2-1 before Healy struck for a second. McCarthy once again, pulled one back before Breska looked to seal it. Keeper James Purcell converted a penalty for 4-2 but late strikes from Jamie Keane and Aaron Mullane forced the extra period. Dylan Singh put the visitors ahead for the first time but an own goal meant the dreaded spot kicks were required. Purcell saved one and Moloney converted the final kick to set up a clash with Ballingarry.

Premier Division League Cup

Granagh United were unable to travel to Abbeyfeale United and gave their second walkover of the competition. Abbeyfeale, Broadford United, Newcastle West and Breska Rovers all remain in the hunt for top two places.

Division One
The Division One league action got underway with three ties. All three games were won by the away sides. Askeaton, Athea United and St. Ita’s got off the mark.

Askeaton, who returned as champions to the second tier, had a brace from Niall Barry in a 2-1 triumph away to Shountrade. Despite trailing early on, the Deelsiders recovered to level before the interval. Barry pounced late in the day to take all three points.

Athea United were 4-0 winners away to Rathkeale B. United have shown to be a strong contender already at this level and would be some peoples fancy, alongside Dromore United to challenge at the top of the table. Mark Horgan’s brace and goals from Darren Murphy and Sean Ryan helped them start the season with maximum points, despite being scoreless at the interval.

St. Ita’s were 5-2 winners away to Shannonside.

Division Two
Glantine got a moral boasting 2-1 win over Knockaderry on their travels.

Division Three
Carrig Celtic and Feenagh shared the spoils with a 2-2 draw.  

Division Three League Cup

Ballysteen kept their hopes of retaining the Division Three League Cup when defeating Breska Rovers B 2-1. Tomás Sheehan’s double was enough despite ending with ten men. Orin Garvey netted for Breska. Both these sides are on six points but Breska have a clash with Feenagh to settle the group.