Desmond League Round-Up: Wins for Abbeyfeale, Kilcornan and Rathkeale

The Desmond League action returned to near full throttle after the understandable postponement of games last Sunday, owing to Mike Hanley’s passing.

There was goals aplenty as the lower division league action began to get to near full-throttle. Due to cross over in competitions, a number of sides were idle with the Munster Junior section now down to the final four, while there was progress for Kilcornan over Kerry opposition. Thankfully, despite the heavy downpours on Sunday morning and afternoon, all the scheduled games were played.

FAI Junior Cup 2^nd Round
Dingle Bay Rovers 0-4 Kilcornan
Kilcornan made the trip to the Dingle Peninsula very enjoyable when progressing to the third round of the FAI Cup. Brendan McCarthy, Rob Carrig, Patrick Ivess and Kenneth O’Donoghue were all on target against the lower-tier opposition. They’ll hope for a favourable draw in the next round to keep this cup run going.

Munster Junior Cup 2^nd Round
Glin Rovers 2-4 Abbeyfeale United
Dylan Murphy will not have many better days in the blue of Abbeyfeale. His ‘A’ team debut saw him net a hat-trick and help his side into the fourth round, where they’ll travel to Breska Rovers. Indeed, Murphy netted twice early on with captain Jamie O’Connor making it 3-0 on 33 minutes. Glin woke up, and Gary Culhane made it 3-1 at the interval. Paul Sheehan had the hosts dreaming of a major comeback when it became 3-2 but Murphy struck to complete a memorable day at the office.

Weekly Observer Premier Division League Cup, Group B
Creeves Celtic 2-3 Ballingarry
Ballingarry could be forgiven for feeling sorry for themselves at half time in this contest. After shipping 17 goals in their last two games, they were 2-0 behind in Newbridge with Seamus Mangan and Bryan Meade putting the hosts in a strong position.

But up stepped Eoin Lynch to net a second-half hat-trick to give them their first win of this competition. Despite the result, Ballingarry are already out, but it removes Creeves’ cup hopes, who’ll be gutted after such a promising first half.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Rathkeale 0-1 Newcastle West Town
The first Premier Division game of the season took place on Sunday morning. Pa Willmott’s strike, near the 20 minute mark was enough to gave Rathkeale a perfect start. With sides nearing to full availability of players at this juncture, it is a good start for the men in blue, who have also progressed in the Premier Division League Cup. Perhaps they’ll fancy improving as the season progresses and try to take the league title back from Abbeyfeale United.

Weekly Observer Division 1
Dromore United 2-5 Athea United
Athea United, who are this reporters tip to win the second tier, resumed their fine form with another away win. This time, Dromore United A were the victims, with a 5-2 scoreline in Pallaskenry. Brothers Darren and Kevin Murphy both scored, with the former getting two. Andrew O’Riordan and Ger Collins helped to secure a good win over another in-form side. Athea now top the league on six points.  The hosts had goals from Evin Kelly and Rory Cullen in what was their first league outing.

Rathkeale B 5-1 Shountrade AFC
Rathkeale bounced back to a heavy loss in the league opener to Athea, as they saw off near rivals, Shountrade.  Shountrade had taken Rathkeale’s A team to extra-time in the Munster Junior Cup but were off-form this time out. Ray Hogan netted a brace from the spot before Luke Murphy, Sean Mulcahy and Barry O’Riordan helped to kick-start their season, by sealing the win in the second half.

Shannonside 1-1 Newcastle West Reserves
Shannoside rescued a point late at home to Newcastle West’s second string. Charlie Power struck early in the second half to put Newcastle West ahead before Martin Fitzgerald’s effort ensured a share of the spoils.

Weekly Observer Division 2 League Cup, Group A
Abbeyfeale United B 2-2 Glin Rovers B

Played on Friday evening under lights, Glin Rovers rescued a point having trailed 2-0 at the interval. Strikes from Olan Quigley and Liam Horgan had the hosts in a strong position. James Broderick and Johnny Sullivan hauled Rovers level for a share of the spoils. Despite letting the win evade them, Abbeyfeale remain top of this group on eight points.

The final game sees Knockaderry (0 points) travel to Glin (5 points). A win for Rovers would ensure top spot and, in theory, a more favourable semi-final draw.

Weekly Observer Division 2 League Cup, Group B
Mountcollins 2-3 Ballingarry B
The clash of last season’s Division Three champions and runner-up took place in Mouncollins,. uke Hayes found the net twice while an own goal helped Ballingarry to the early season three points. Eli Morris and Micah O’Connell were on the scoresheet for the hosts. Ballingarry are now guaranteed top spot and a semi-final with three straight wins. They face Glantine in the final game though Glantine would appear eliminated already, on the head-to-head rule, with just one point to their name.

Weekly Observer Division 3
Feenagh 5-0 Shannonside B
Home advantage was made to count by Feenagh as they trounced Shannonside B, 5-0. Ronan O’Connor and Colm Daniels each helped themselves to a brace with Kevin Moore also finding the back of the net.

Carrig Celtic 3-1 Ballysteen
Carrig Celtic have found the winning formula in recent times and were posting three on the league table when winning at home to Ballysteen. Darren Ward, Pa Sullivan and Seanie Dwyer scoring in Carrigkerry. An own-goal was all Ballysteen had for their efforts.

Breska Rovers B 2-7 Dromore United B
Dromore United secured a comprehensive win over Breska Rovers in Clarina. Leading 3-0 after just seven minutes, the Kildimo-Pallaskenry combination led 4-1 at half-time. They were never in danger of losing this contest. Goals arrived from all angles, with Ethan O’Brien (2), Kevin Madden, Ciaran Galvin, James Pomeroy and Aaron O’Donovan on target. Breska had efforts from Niall Quane and Tom Clancy.