Feenagh into Desmond Cup last four after shock win over Premier side Broadford United – Desmond League Round-Up

After a weather impacted couple of weekends, it was good to see all the games going ahead as planned. There are now a number of sides slipping closer to the relegation trap door, while we are still very much unsure of the destination of all four league titles. That said, the biggest story of the weekend was when, in their own words, ‘David slayed Goliath’ as Feenagh scored a memorable cup success over Broadford United to reach the last four of the prestigious Limerick Desmond Cup.



Desmond Cup Quarter-Final
Feenagh 1-1 Broadford United – (Feenagh win 5-4 on penalties, after extra-time)
There was a mammoth cup upset, when Feenagh prevailed in the pressure environment of penalty kicks against Broadford United. Feenagh, currently second in Division Three, have been going from strength to strength after a slow start to the season. The visitors, their near neighbours, couldn’t be accused of taking this game lightly, starting near their best side. Given the closeness of these clubs, that is often a leveller, and so it proved. Level after 90 minutes, it was Broadford who struck the front in extra-time through Liam O’Shaughnessy. Refusing to throw in the proverbial towel, Cian O’Connor forced the penalty kicks, chipping home the equaliser with the last act, from a tight angle. Then, after nine penalties scored on the trot, with Feenagh holding the 5-4 advantage, it was Dan Gayer who read the last kick and saved to secure a famous win for one of the leagues smallest clubs. Bizareely, is it a third consecutive penalty shootout win for Feenagh, with Carrig Celtic and Abbeyfeale United B already suffereing the same fate as Broadford. And, while they will realistically be hunting other honours with more belief, a trip to Clounreask for Desmond Cup semi-finals will certainly excite all associated with the village club.


The other three quarter-final clashes will take place later this month.

Weekly Observer Premier Division
Kilcornan 3-1 Creeves Celtic
The relegation six-pointer saw Kilcornan bounce back from a heavy defeat a fortnight ago, to take a crucial victory over relegation threatened Creeves Celtic. The away side led, but Alan Ryan was on target, to make it one-each. Patrick Ivess gave Gary Manning’s men the lead before a red card for Kilcornan. Creeves saw their penalty saved by Keel Moloney, before Mark Curran netted the insurance goal. While the men on the N69 are still behind Creeves, they now move to within striking distance of both them and Ballingarry with six games remaining.

Glin Rovers 0-3 Rathkeale
Rathkeale will be delighted to secure another clean sheet and another win, to keep them in a strong position at the top of the table. With a trip to Breska Rovers and a visit of Broadford United to come, it is still very much in the hands of the men in light blue. They were comfortable winners over midtable Glin. The away side led through Eoin Kelly, at half-time. Further goals from Jack Hennessy and Eoin Barry ensured a comfortable morning along the estuary. Glin are in danger of being stuck in midtable, with a gap of six points to the relegation zone, the same gap to the top three.

Breska Rovers 2-1 Newcastle West Town
Breska Rovers continued their impressive form, when taking a narrow win at home to Newcastle West Town. Scoreless at the break, the goals arrived with close ranges from Keith Punch and Seán Coughlan in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Shane Stack powered home a half-volley just beyond the hour mark but the Division One champions were able to hold on for a precious three points. This was the 5^th meeting of the sides this season, with Breska getting on top for the first time over 90 minutes. Newcastle stay in midtable, but will be looking over their shoulder if they fail to gather a handful of points more in the coming weeks.

Weekly Observer Division 1
Newcastle West Town Reserves 1-3 Dromore Utd
It has been an-up-and-down maiden season for Dromore Untied, who climbed out of the top three thanks to a win over lowly Newcastle West B. There was a brace from Ryan Kelly who was joined on the score sheet by his brother Evin. Newcastle West had Patrick Noonan on target before a third goal sealed the points for Dromore United. The Kildimo/Pallaskenry men are in Desmond Cup action next weekend, against neighbours Kilcornan, and this was the perfect tonic heading into that cup clash. Newcastle West will need to win all three of their remaining games to stay in the Division, while the same is true for Shountrade, with both sides all but relegated at this stage.

Weekly Observer Division 2
Knockaderry 2-2 Abbeyfeale Utd B
Both sides look like staying put in Division Two, with a point here of little significance to either. Knockaderry had goals from Keith Danaher and Rob Egan.

Glin Rovers B 3-0 Mountcollins
Glin Rovers B were back in the winners enclosure, again, with a comfortable win over Mountcollins. Scoreless at the break, the home side secured the win, thanks to Ger Riordan, Cian Culhane’s penalty and a Ger Lyons free-kick. They join Ballingarry B at the top of the Division, with a game in hand. Four points from their final two games will be enough to seal Division One football for 2023/24. Mountcollins and Glantine are looking for points to secure their place in the third tier.

Weekly Observer Division 3
Carrig Celtic 3-2 Dromore Utd B
Goals from Sean Dwyer and a brace from Seanie King gave Carrig Celtic a morale boosting victory at home to Dromore Untied’s second side. Ethan O’Brien scored twice from the spot for the away side.

Breska Rovers B 2-2 Shannonside FC B
This clash finished all square after a late revival from Shannonside. Breska led 2-0 in the opening 20 minutes with Diarmuid O’Connor and Evan McGregor on target. Mike Behan’s late penalty gave the visitors home, and AJ Moroney pouched with a low finish to secure a point for the basement boys.