There was a plethora of competitions once again across the Limerick Desmond League last weekend, as Munster Junior Cup action topped the bill. There was also the maiden game of the Premier Division as well as some lower league action. The Youths season is moving along nicely, with the two-legged semi-finals on the agenda.
There was another shock in the Munster Junior Cup, with St. Ita’s progressing against a third Premier Division team, to make it into the open draw, last 32. They will be joined by Breska Rovers A. Breska Rovers B will be the sole representatives for the league in the Munster Shield, which is in its maiden year.
McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Cup 3rd Round
St. Itas 1-0 Newcastle West Town (played in Demesne Newcastle West)
With Ashford unplayable, this tie was moved to the Demesne in Newcastle West. St. Ita’s would have felt they were going into the lions den, but it was the second tier side who were roaring after securing a third away win in the competition. Abbeyfeale United and Athea United have already been dumped out by St. Ita’s and it was Newcastle West who suffered that fate thanks to a Tony McCarthy effort 30 yards to decide this one. This arrived right on the stroke of half-time and the hosts couldn’t find a breakthrough as Dylan Singh, Noel Callanan, Josh Joyce, Aaron Mullane and Joey Healy all tried to get the better of Sean Richards in the Ita’s goal. He preserved his clean sheet to sent them into the open draw – which is a fine achievement for the club.
Glin Rovers 0-3 Breska Rovers
Visitors Breska Rovers progressed to the fourth round with a deserved away win to Premier Division rivals, Glin Rovers. It was a tight game for much of this contest, but Breska struck the crucial opener midway through the first half and didn’t look back from there. After Glin started the stronger, the Clarina side took control and opened the scoring through Scott Quaide. The opening arrived when Keith Punch disposed Paul Sheehan and Quaide showed great composure to finish low to the net. The game was just beyond the hour mark when Karl Buckley centred for Sean Coughlan who finished from close range. Buckley had his goal late in the piece, when he finished a Keith McNicholas cross.
McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Shield 3rd Round
Dromore Utd B 1-3 Breska Rovers B
This neighbourly clash, moved to Pallaskenry, went the way of the visitors. A Barry O’Connor penalty and a Barry Adams effort had Breska 2-1 up at half-time, with Adam Gibbs on target for the home side. Captain Ben Adams netted an insurance goal in the second half to seal back-to-back victories for Breska and progression into the open draw, round four.
Weekly Observer Premier Division
Creeves Celtic 3-0 Rathkeale
In the first League game of the season, it was Creeves Celtic who claimed a deserved victory over their near neighbours Rathkeale. It might be a surprise result in some quarters but Celtic have enjoyed a fine run of league form in 2023. That, and they’re ever strengthening squad will make them an extremely hard task for any side in the Division. James O’Connor netted the opener and Eoin McEnery doubled the lead heading into half-time. The same player was on target early in the third quarter, and it almost got worse for Rathkeale when Kevin Guina hit the woodwork. The results in recent weeks would suggest it is going to be the most wide open Division for many, many years with most of the eight sides realistically aiming for top places.
Broadford Utd P-P Abbeyfeale Utd
This clash was postponed with Broadford United installing floodlights on their pitch at Cove Park.
Weekly Observer Division 2
Feenagh P-P Shountrade
This tie was postponed.
Mountcollins AFC W/O Abbeyfeale Utd B – Walkover to Mountcollins
Abbeyfeale were unable to field, and the points are claimed by Mountcollins.
Knockaderry 1-2 Ballingarry B
Trailing by a goal at the interval, Ballingarry B picked up their first league win of the season against nearby Knockaderry. Brian Fitzgerald tied this up on 75 minutes and Alan Cronin found the winner three minutes from time. Evan Lenihan had netted the goal for the home side.
Weekly Observer Division 3
Glantine B 1-3 Glantine
In the return fixture between the two Glantine sides, it was the ‘away’ side who claimed the spoils on Saturday evening. Aaron Fitzgerald gave the B’s the led but as they did in the first game, the A team came from behind. Hessler O’Connor had this game level at half-time. Colm Barrett and a Chris Scannell penalty helped the A’s over the line.
Kilcolman Rovers 2-2 Askeaton-Kilcornan B
Youngster Tyrique Harte netted a penalty to tie this clash up, his second goal of the contest. The sides were level 1-1 at half-time. Kilcolman will rue letting the lead slip twice.
Youths Division 1 Shield Semi Final 2nd Leg
Kilcolman Rovers (2) 4-4 Shannonside FC (0) (6-4 agg)
In an eight-goal thriller, Kilcolman go through to the Division One Shield final, with a 6-4 aggregate victory over Shannonside. The important, 2-0 away result meant Rovers had a good cushion but were pushed all the way by Shannonside in this second leg. Eoghan Sheehan, Shane Daly, Sean Long and Luke Corrigan were all on target for Kilcolman.
Youths Division 2 Semi Final 1st Leg
Breska Rovers 2-1 Granagh Utd
Granagh United took the 1st leg advantage after coming from behind against Breska Rovers. The hosts led 1-0, when Oran McNicholas found himself among the goals once again but United finished the game stronger and scored twice in the closing stages. Luke Hourigan set up Jack McMahon before Cian McDonagh converted a penalty after Paul Murphy was felled.
Youths Division 2 Semi Final 2nd Leg
Feenagh (2) 2-2 Glin Rovers (3) (4-5 agg)
Goals from David Mulvihill and Luke Buckley were enough to seal the draw that Rovers needed to progress to the final. They will face Breska Rovers or Granagh United, in the coming weeks.
Youths Division 2 Shield Semi Final 1st Leg
Shountrade AFC v Glantine – Walkover to Shountrade
Shountrade now hold a 3-0 advantage ahead of the second leg.