Desmond League Round-Up: Newcastle West and Rathkeale progress in FAI Junior Cup

FAI Junior Cup second round action took centre stage on another busy weekend of action in the Limerick Desmond League. Pride of place must go to Newcastle West Town, who eliminated a much-fancied Killarney Celtic side.

Elsewhere, there were games in the three lower divisions as well as a Premier Division League Cup clash.

FAI Junior Cup 2^nd Round
Killarney Celtic 1-1 Newcastle West Town (NCW win 3-1 on pens AET)
Kerry’s reigning champions Killarney Celtic would have fancied a victory over Newcastle West Town on home soil, but Kieran Shanahan’s charges who’ve had a mixed start to the season, had other ideas. As with last week when they defeated Broadford United on penalties, it was Andrew Ruddle who proved the shootout hero. He saved a penalty and saw another missed as NCW netted theirs to move into the hat for round three. Before all that, it was the hosts who eased into an early lead and a somewhat understrength Town outfit were facing a long afternoon in the Kingdom. However, they kept themselves in the fight and it was the talented Mikey Conlon who is back with his hometown club, who converted a Jake Power cross in the 94^th minute to send this game beyond the 90. There was no movement in extra-time but Ruddle and co held their nerve to seal a memorable victory.


Askeaton-Kilcornan 6-2 Dromore Utd
In this local derby, Askeaton Kilcornan were in dreamland when leading 4-0 at the break. They lost their clean sheet in the second half but had too much for their divisional rivals. Goals from Matt Moane, Ken O’Donnoghue (2) and Patrick Ivess in the first half were added to by Sean Whelan and Sam Duggan. In between, youngster Anthony Dabrynets scored twice, including a penalty.


Rathkeale AFC 3-2 Shannon Town (AET)
Another stern challenge for the Desmond League side, but again, they stood up tall. This time it was Rathkeale who eliminated strong Clare Premier Division side, Shannon Town. Going the distance into extra-time before Dean Maune bagged the winner. This was level, one-apiece at half-time, with Cathal Cummane on targe for the hosts. It was level after ninety too, when Maune got his first. The long-serving clubman got his reward when he netted the all-important winner in extra time.

Abbeyfeale Utd 0-1 St. Brendan’s Park
A late Donagh O’Brien effort was enough to see St. Brendan’s Park into third round. In an even clash, the Kerry side, who made the short trip from Tralee edged it just two minutes from time. Park defeated Breska Rovers in the first round, and repeated the Desmond League dose with another victory at Riverside Park.

Avenue Utd v Shountrade – W/O to Avenue United
Shountrade failed to travel to Clare District Premier Division side, Avenue United.

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup Group A 
Breska Rovers 0-0 Creeves Celtic (Creeves win tie-breaker pens 4-2)
With both sides defeated in their opener in this competition last month, this was a chance for one side to seize the initiative and get to three points. In a tight encounter, neither keeper was overworked though the Celtic stopper had a couple of decent one-on-one saves to deny Breska a breakthrough. Both will need to win their final game to progress, if that happens, Creeves will join Glin, who have already sealed their spot in the last four.

Weekly Observer Division One League Cup Group B 
St. Itas 2-1 Glin Rovers B
In what was essentially a dead-rubber, St. Ita’s got their first domestic victory of the year. Jack Long and Martin Mullane’s penalty enough to see them over Glin Rovers B. Both sides were already out of the running for the knockout phase.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Ballingarry B 3-1 Ballysteen AFC
Ballingarry put three points on the board, thanks to a come-from-behind victory over Ballysteen. Trailing early on, Ballingarry led 2-1 at the short whistle, before firming up their position with a third. Dave Hanlon’s double and a Marcus Moore effort accounting for the newly promoted Ballysteen side.

Weekly Observer Division 3 
Glantine 6-2 Glantine B
In a unique clash of the A and B sides in N21 outfit Glantine, it was the A’s who, perhaps unsurprisingly, took the victory. However, Darren Ward gave the ‘B’s the lead, before Hessler O’Connor tied this one up. There was to be a hat-trick from Aidan O’Connor while Maurice Sheehan and Colm Barrett helped put the more experienced A’s well clear. Ashton Collins pulled one back for the losers nearing full-time. They will meet again in the coming weeks.  

Breska Rovers B 2-4 Kilcolman Rovers
This was a frantic clash in Clarina Kilcolman collecting the win thanks to a couple of spurts. Breska led 1-0 early on thanks to Evan McGregor, who was played in by brother Cian, before two nice efforts had Kilcolman in front. Barry Adams tied this game at half-time, but two goals in the next 15 minutes gave the visitors a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.


Limerick Desmond Youths Cup 1^st Round
Askeaton-Kilcornan AFC 2-1 Feenagh, Mick Hanley Park
An own goal and Sambulo Ngubane effort helped high flying Askeaton Kilcornan into the second round.

Dromore Utd 2-1 Ballingarry (AET)
Dromore United needed to endure 110 minutes of action in Mike Hanley Park before finding a winner against Ballingarry. A brace from Sam Guerin sees them into the second round,

FAI Youths Cup 1^st Round
Dromore Utd 2-1 Ballingarry AFC (AET)
For the second time in three days, Dromore United and Ballingarry were level after 90 minutes and once more, it was United who claimed cup progress, with an extra-time winner.

JAKO Munster Youths Cup 2^nd Round
Glin Rovers 5-1 Newcastle West Town
A brace from Fionn McNamara and Sean Wren added to by an Aidan Healy strike helped Glin Rovers progress against a disappointing Newcastle West Town outfit.

Granagh Utd 6-3 Rathkeale
Once again, Granagh United were involved in a goal fest.

Breska Rovers 2-3 Abbeyfeale Utd
Goals from Adam Kellett and James Coughlan had Breska Rovers in a strong position but a couple of late strikes sent United through. Maurice Lane struck twice while, including a penalty Matthew O’Connor won the tie with an 87th minute effort.

Shountrade AFC W/O Broadford Utd (W/O to Shountrade)
Broadford United failed to travel to Shountrade, who progress to round three.